CHICAGO (WSIL) -- Gov. JB Pritzker announced guidelines Tuesday for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities to resume in-person instruction for the upcoming academic year.
GUIDANCE FOR K-12 SCHOOLS
The governor's office says the guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) was developed in collaboration with 56 educators, superintendents, social workers, nurses, and other stakeholders from across the state.
Each school district will determine how to implement the guidance based on its student enrollment, facilities, staffing, transportation, and technological capacity.
ISBE is encouraging school districts to provide in-person instruction for all students, especially those under age 13.
“Classroom learning provides necessary opportunities for our students to learn, socialize, and grow. The benefits of in-person instruction can’t be overstated,� said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today ISBE, IBHE, and ICCB are issuing guidance that will serve as baseline public health requirements and expectations for the return of in-person learning this fall in P-12 schools and higher education, including all public school districts, non-public schools, colleges and universities. In close consultation with IDPH, infectious disease experts at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and other public health professionals, the guidance focuses on keeping students, teachers and families healthy and safe. It recognizes that Illinois is a diverse state, and school districts and institutions of higher education across Illinois will face unique challenges in how they’ll operate within their communities.�
“Nothing compares to face-to-face interactions between students and their teachers,� said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “The dedication of Illinoisans to social distancing over the past several months has allowed us to plan to bring students back to classrooms this fall while keeping health and safety our number one priority. This fall will not be ‘business as usual� in more ways than one. Our students will return to us transformed and hungry for knowledge that contextualizes current events. I urge schools to use summer to readjust curricula to honor these historic times and to continue to be diligent in following safety protocols.�
The IDPH requirements for schools to reopen in Phase 4 are:
� Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face coverings;
� Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;
� Require social distancing whenever possible;
� Conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require self-certification that individuals entering school buildings are symptom free; and
� Increase schoolwide cleaning and disinfection.
To help schools meet these guidelines and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will provide public K-12 districts in Illinois with 2.5 million cloth face masks for students and staff.
View the guidance .
GUIDANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has established guidelines for higher education institutions to safely reopen their classrooms based on input from IDPH and higher education leaders throughout Illinois. New prevention measures at colleges and universities will include social distancing, physical spacing, hand sanitizing stations, face covering requirements, and regular monitoring of students for symptoms of COVID-19.
Schools are developing policies around traffic flow, cleaning of public spaces, and staggered schedules for the use of laboratories, auditoriums and other group facilities. Small-group sessions and meetings with professors will also have to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Colleges expect dorms, cafeterias, libraries, bookstores, and other amenities to be available to students, subject to the approved guidelines.
The full list of guidelines is available at The Illinois Board of Higher Education .
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Guidance for Illinois� community colleges is separated into three main categories: General Health and Safety, Instructional Guidelines, and Student Services.
Among the key recommendations are:
� In person education will require face coverings to be worn by faculty, staff and students.
� Community colleges should conduct health screenings on employees, students and visitors before each campus visit.
� Community colleges should take additional measures to ensure social distancing and safety as determined by the features of spaces, learning methods, and other factors.
� Each community college should consider the needs of vulnerable staff or students when administering guidelines.
The full list of guidelines is available at the .
