Seattle Schools Plan For Remote Learning In The Fall

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Public Schools is the latest Washington school district to announce a planned shift to remote learning for fall classes this year, amid renewed coronavirus concerns throughout the region. Nearby districts, including Northshore, Bellevue and Kent have previously announced similar plans.

On Wednesday, SPS outlined Superintendent Denise Juneau's recommendation, saying remote learning should be in place "until the risk of significant transmission of Covid-19 has decreased enough to resume in-person instruction."

Previously, the district approved a hybrid model that would have melded limited in-person instruction with remote learning. The updated plan will be voted on during a school board meeting scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 12.

"Every recommendation regarding this fall has been made by taking into consideration the latest data and science," Juneau said. "The current trajectory of infection in King County and the most recent data and information from public health makes it clear that resuming school in-person this fall is impossible."

In a news release, the district pointed to research gathered throughout the state and nation, along with lessons learned from abroad.

"Since the closure of SPS buildings last spring, new research has become available, including additional updated health guidelines from national and state agencies, as well as additional data and information on school safety experiences around the world," officials wrote. "Countries that have managed to successfully reopen schools are those countries with declining infection rates. In King County, rates of transmission are rising."

According to King County's daily assessment of COVID-19 activity, the county remains well below its goals on most key targets.

The district said its new plan is endorsed both by the Seattle Education Association and the Principals Association of Seattle Schools.

Other recommendations outlined by the district include:

• Training for all educators in order to ensure synchronous (live), high quality remote
• instruction for students.
• Providing a predictable and consistent teaching/learning schedule on common platforms, using up-to-date resources.
• Ensuring that students receiving specialized services are provided instruction in alignment with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans.
• Racial equity training for all educators focused on student belonging, family partnerships, and interrupting implicit racial bias.
• Working with the Seattle Council PTSA, City of Seattle, and other community partners to develop community-generated solutions for childcare and learning at home, and continuing to provide childcare in SPS buildings for essential staff, in partnership with the City.
• Providing meal distribution throughout the city for any students and families with need.
• Adapting, as necessary, as the environment and data regarding Covid-19 continues to shift and change.

Further details on school schedules will be released as they are available, and parents can find answers to frequently asked questions on the Seattle Public Schools website.