School districts around the state have been on Tuesday鈥檚 update to Oregon鈥檚 鈥淩eady Schools, Safe Learners鈥� .
The new guidance lowers the bar for districts to bring students back to the classroom for in-person instruction.
Most of this guidance, including the updated metrics, is advisory. That continues Gov. Kate Brown鈥檚 move to leave final decisions on reopening schools to local districts.
The state鈥檚 new guidance says districts should still consider community case counts before reopening 鈥� but lowers the bar for COVID-19 case rates recommended for hybrid learning, especially for Oregon鈥檚 youngest students.
Now, schools are advised to begin reopening for 鈥渆lementary on-site and hybrid transition鈥� when county case counts per 100,000 are 350 or below. The previous metrics set the metrics for a transition to 鈥渓imited in-person instruction鈥� at 200 or below. County test positivity requirements have changed too.
ODE said the changes align with recommendations from the Harvard Global Health Institute.
For schools that choose to reopen for hybrid learning despite high case counts, they must offer access to on-site COVID testing for symptomatic students and staff, plus those with known exposure to COVID-19.
The state also requires that a school employee be included in reopening planning. The new guidance also requires training for all staff before reopening in person.
The update also includes resources for schools on learning outdoors.
This story will be updated.
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