California launches online school reopening transparency hub with new state guidance

The State of California launched an online “one-stop shop” Thursday for state guidance and resources on Governor Newsom’s school reopening plan. It also updated its guidance to allow elementary schools in the most restrictive tier on the state’s tier system to offer in-person instruction for K-6 grades.

School staff and parents can visit the website, schools.covid19.ca.gov, for updates on guidelines issued by various state agencies and departments, as well as to report safety concerns at school sites or to request technical assistance. School administrators can also use the website to request technical assistance to follow the state’s guidelines. The state’s “Safe Schools Team” will monitor the safety complaints and provide information and enforcement.

The website features a map showing each school district’s reopening status, as well as relevant data and scientific findings on Covid-19.

State officials also announced new safety guidelines for reopening — including allowing elementary schools in the purple or “widespread” tier in the state’s reopening tier system to offer in-person instruction to grades K-6. Previously, elementary schools could only offer in-person instruction if they stayed out of the purple tier for at least two weeks or if they obtained a waiver from their county’s public health department.

In their decision to change the guidelines, state officials cited global and national studies that show elementary-aged students contract Covid-19 less frequently, and less severely than adults.

The state will also require that all students regardless of age to wear masks at school, and that staff who come into regular contact with others wear disposable surgical masks.

The state also requires districts to report positive Covid-19 cases at their schools to local health departments. Schools will also be required to report weekly updates on their reopening status or plans to the Safe Schools Team, which will be posted on the website.