To reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and maximize the amount of in-person instruction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) are providing recommendations and considerations based on the most recent scientific evidence to support school and district leaders and educators in meeting these ever evolving, significant challenges. The ED COVID-19 Handbook will support the education community with implementation guidance, strategies, and considerations to help reopen schools safely. The handbook is being released in two volumes.
The first volume supplements CDC’s Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation. ED’s handbook provides practical examples and roadmaps to provide educators and staff with the tools they need to implement CDC’s recommended safe practices for in-person learning. Highlights include safely masking, including for children and staff who may struggle to wear a mask; social distancing; and safe stakeholder engagement.