California official says schools will not be able to reopen this academic year

Schools in California will be unable to physically reopen this academic year because  of the coronavirus, according to a letter from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction,

The Sacramento Bee reports that the state’s top education official, Tony Thurmond, sent the letter to district superintendents Tuesday, saying it “currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year.”

Thurmond encouraged educators to pivot quickly to online as students are expected to shelter in place through May 1 and possibly beyond.

“This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year,” Thurmond wrote. “But rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning.”

The California Department of Education has provided guidance and resources on distance learning. The state also will provide webinars and training, and help make technology accessible for families, according to the letter.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also has said it was unlikely schools would reopen, but Sacramento and Yolo County officials announced schools would remain closed until May 1 — not yet pushing the date to the end of the school year.

“Some counties chose the May 1 date to give themselves additional time to assess the situation and to also signal to parents and families that we are likely in this in the long haul,” says Troy Flint, spokesman of the California School Boards Association. “I don’t think that with an absent directive, local leaders felt confident that they could extend school closures through the end of the year, and they expressed that point to the governor and Thurmond. I think that played a role in expediting today’s announcement.”

Flint says some schools may respond to the extended school closures creatively, including scheduling longer school days, using a year-round schedule, or offering more summer programs. Many schools also will focus on addressing equity issues and how to ensure students who are struggling don’t fall further behind because of the closures.

“There is discussion of how and when we will resume schools, and whether school will look the same as it has previously,” Flint says. “I don’t think it will."