He Biden administration guidelines for the reopening of schools is expected to include recommendations for gradual reopening based on community transmission rates, according to an internal draft summary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obtained by CBS News on Thursday.
This gradual approach to reopening provides recommendations for instructional types for K-12 schools, broken down into four color-coded “zones”: full, hybrid, reduced, and virtual attendance.
The summary of guidelines obtained by CBS News does not set out community outreach rates that determine who meets the requirements for each zone.
K-12 schools are in the “Blue” zone if they have little community outreach and in the “Yellow” zone, with moderate transmission. It is recommended that the blue and yellow areas allow a reopening with complete in-person learning, with the maximum possible social distancing. It is recommended that schools in the “Orange” area, classified as substantial transmitters, have hybrid learning or reduced attendance, with the necessary social distancing.
Schools in the “red” zone fall into two categories: those that conduct periodic screening tests for asymptomatic staff and students, and those that do not. Non-testing “red” zone schools should have hybrid learning or reduced attendance with compulsory physical distance only in primary schools; middle and high schools should be only virtual. Schools conducting screening tests may have hybrid learning or reduced attendance at all elementary, middle, and high schools, with the necessary social distancing, as summarized in the guidelines.
Several officials told CBS News that these guidelines are still being finalized and could change. Additional details could also be added to the final guide.
For all levels of community transmission, the use of masks and universal testing of symptomatic people and their close contacts is required.
As CBS News reported earlier, the guidelines will also focus on five mitigation strategies: universal masking; social distancing; hand washing and respiratory tag; cleaning and ventilation of facilities and protocols for locating, isolating and quarantining contacts. These practices are expected to be conducted independently of community transmission rates.
If the school implements these mitigation measures, access to vaccines should not be a prerequisite for the reopening of schools, according to the draft guidance., which coincides with recent statements by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. However, the draft guidance stresses that teachers should be given priority for vaccines and that, once educators are vaccinated, schools should continue to implement these mitigation practices.
According to Education Week, most states have chosen some or all of the eligible teachers to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
The draft guidance establishes a 6-foot social distance in schools. Some health officials, including a group from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, had previously argued that younger students could use 3 feet of social distance.
The CDC is also expected to state that school instruction should be prioritized over extracurricular activities and sports, regardless of the degree of testing measures implemented in schools. According to the draft guide, color-coded “zones” will also be applied to these extracurriculars.
The guidelines are expected to address equity concerns and recommend that funding be directed at addressing disparities in low-income communities, including the implementation of costly mitigation measures, such as ventilation reform. , the improvement of digital learning gaps and the prioritization of vaccines and testing.
Accommodation for “high-risk” educators, including those with high-risk family members, could include additional virtual teaching, modify workplace requirements, or adopt flexible scheduling. Lifelong learning should be provided as an option for students with medical conditions, according to the guidance project.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that Walensky and his team will present the final guidelines to the public on Friday, an announcement expected early in the afternoon, according to two people familiar with the plan.
The White House and CDC have so far declined to comment on the draft guidelines.
The Department of Education is expected to “shortly after” advise on “practical implementation” of the CDC guidelines, according to an email from the Department of Education reported by CBS News earlier this week.
This next guideline is expected to address how to use the funds allocated to schools and state and local governments to make schools safer.
The Biden administration has used school reopening to stress the importance of approving its $ 1.9 trillion. “American Rescue “COVID-19 relief package, which includes hundreds of billions of dollars in direct financial aid to schools, as well as state and local aid funds to pay for additional school safety measures.
Mr. Biden’s current goal is to see “most K-8 schools open safely in 100 days.” On Tuesday, Psaki explained that his goal is to target a simple majority of schools with teachers who give instructions “at least one day a week” on the 100th day of the Biden administration, which is April 30. .
Asked to clarify this goal on Thursday, Psaki said that “surely we hope to take advantage of it, even in 100 days, and from here … the president’s goal is for all schools to reopen, they will remain open and be open 5 days a week, for the kids to learn, that’s our focus. “
But many schools have already reopened before the CDC guidance and additional federal funding for mitigation measures. Sixty-four percent of elementary and middle school students already see some face-to-face instruction, according to the latest data from Burbio’s School Opening Tracker, reported by CBS News on Tuesday.
Currently, high school students are not included in Mr. Biden’s reopening goal.