Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year

Heading into the 2020-21 school year, the health and safety of our students, educators, school staff, and families is our number one priority. As a classroom teacher for more than 20 years and a parent of a child in public schools, Governor Walz is committed to providing the best education to our students while keeping them and their teachers safe.

That is why Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) are taking a localized, data-driven approach to the 2020-21 school year to help students learn safely.

Experts at the Departments of Education and Health will partner with local school districts and charter schools to help make decisions about which learning model they should use to start the school year. While there are many factors to take into consideration when determining an appropriate learning model for school opening, the decision-making process will center on local data indicating the level of viral activity in the surrounding county.

School districts and charter schools will begin in one of three models: in-person, distance learning, or a hybrid model. This determination will be announced by your local school district.

The Departments of Education and Health will work with school districts and local health professionals throughout the school year to help districts decide if and when they need to shift between models depending on the progression of the virus in their specific community.

The Governor is requiring school districts and charter schools to ensure all families have the option to choose distance learning for their student throughout the school year. Similarly, the Governor is requiring school districts and charter schools to allow teachers and school employees to work remotely due to health concerns to the extent possible.

Minnesota is also providing local districts with support to provide face coverings for every student, educator, and staff member, and to create a comprehensive COVID testing plan for educators and staff members.

School districts and public health officials have a lot of important work to do here, but the ultimate success of this process isn't just up to them. It's also in the hands of each and every Minnesotan. After all, schools reflect and are influenced by their surrounding communities and for this to work, we need communities to help control COVID-19 spread.

This is why we need everyone doing a good job following our slow the spread guidance of masking up, social distancing, and staying home when sick. We are all connected-especially during a pandemic.

For further information visit: https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/safe-learning-plan/overview.jsp