Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued an executive order on Friday ordering schools to reopen for in-person learning by April 19.
The order requires all kindergarten through 5th grade schools to offer access to hybrid or full in-person learning by March 29 and by April 19 for grades 6 through 12. Brown’s order still requires schools to offer distance learning.
She said that the Oregon Department of Education will be releasing updated guidance for school districts early next week.
“On March 12, 2020, I issued my executive order closing Oregon schools for what was then an extended spring break. One year later, thanks to the hard work and smart choices of Oregonians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, I am so pleased to see over 174,000 students back in the learning environment that serves them best: in-person instruction,” Brown said in a statement.
“While parents can keep their children in distance learning if they choose, this order will give every Oregon student the option to return to school this year,” she said.
The governor first announced the order last week, attributing the decision to improved coronavirus case rates across the state.
The move comes amid a bipartisan push to reopen schools as vaccinations increase and case counts decline.
The Biden administration said on Thursday that it will be giving away $650 million in grants to schools to help fund testing efforts, and it is also looking to vaccinate all teachers and give schools guidance for reopenings.