By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Des Moines, IA – Iowa Governor is officially closing down schools for the rest of the academic year to close.
On Friday, April 17, Governor Kim Reynolds made the announcement during her daily press conference that she would be require schools to remain closed for the rest of the academic career. She says that this is because she the data is not there to provide confidence that re-opening schools would be the right move.
While the physical buildings are closed, school districts are still expected to be using continuous learning plans. These plans can be voluntary or required for students.
Additionally the Iowa Department of Education and Gov. Reynolds announced that the state will:
- “Waive instructional time requirements for the remainder of the 2019-2020 regularly scheduled academic year for schools that continue to provide continuous learning through one of two approved options, voluntary educational enrichment opportunities, required educational services, or a combination of the two.”
- “Require schools to submit a Return to Learn Plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1 outlining ways they will address disruptions to learning as a result of COVID-19. This could include summer school, enrichment activities or other opportunities to address the needs of learners.”
- “Waive the requirement that schools start no earlier than Aug. 23, allowing school districts and nonpublic schools to make local decisions about the length of their 2020-2021 academic year.”
Gov. Reynolds first suggested schools close at the end of March and than extended the closure to April 30 in mid-April. A full press release from the office of the governor can be found at governor.iowa.gov/press-release/iowa-schools-to-extend-closures-through-end-of-school-year-schools-will-continue.