With the rapid rise of the , large swaths of the nation are once again battling out-of-control community spread and wrestling with decisions to reopen schools and possibly put teachers and students at risk. The increased concern around the Delta variant coincides with a tumultuous month for state masking mandates and other COVID-19 precautions, with states taking divergent paths on mask mandates, teacher vaccinations, or even to allow schools to remote or options.

At the national level, the , the , and the all issued strong guidance and recommendations urging states and districts to keep mask mandates in place as the school season begins, citing lower-than-expected rates of vaccination and the aforementioned variant. Pediatric specialists from the Duke University School of Medicine to provide more context to that position, sharing evidence gathered from over one million students on the effectiveness of various COVID-19 precautions. Aside from vaccination, the experts write, 鈥淢asking is one of the best, most readily available methods to protect [students] from the disease, with universal masking being one of the most effective and efficient strategies for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools.鈥�

In states, however, arguments over masking and in-person schooling are reaching a boiling point, with disputes between stakeholders at all levels bubbling up to be resolved by state officials or courts in states like , , and . Some governors, chiefly those of Florida and Texas, were , who admonished actions to ban mask mandates, even as large districts like and rebuked their governors by mandating mask requirements for the new school year. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be the reason why schools are interrupted,鈥� Cardona stated during a press event. Even in states that long held firm in their COVID-19 precautions鈥� like , , and 鈥� districts are often at odds with state or national guidance.

Beyond the obstacles surrounding school reopening and classroom safety, here are 12 other updates from across the country about how states and school systems are confronting the challenges posed by the coronavirus emergency 鈥� and working to preserve student learning amid a pandemic:

CALIFORNIA 鈥� Educators and School Leaders Prepare for Unpredictable 鈥業ndependent Study鈥� Surge

California districts and superintendents are expressing rising 鈥渁nxiety鈥� as the beginning of the school year approaches. They brace for unknown implications stemming from a surge in the Delta variant and Some superintendents are saying they expect as many as 1 in 8 students to apply for independent study, a number that might trend higher as COVID precautions are reinstated and if the school year results in a spike in cases. In addition to navigating the continued pandemic, school leaders will also be directing a into education programs, including transitional kindergarten, extended school days or years, and initiatives to combat the growing teacher shortage.

ALABAMA 鈥� Fully Vaccinated Students Will Not Be Required to Quarantine This School Year

According to the Alabama Department of Education, students who are fully vaccinated , though unvaccinated students would be expected to follow quarantine guidelines followed last year. At this time, individual Alabama school districts are given discretion in deciding whether to open for fully in-person instruction and whether to implement masking or social distancing mandates.

ILLINOIS 鈥� Governor Signs New Investment in Teacher Pipeline

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law late last month. The funding is expected to support over 5,000 candidates in becoming childcare providers or teachers in the state through 2024. Gov. Pritzker also signed a bill offering an , an action taken in other states as the pandemic disrupted schooling for many students with disabilities.

MINNESOTA 鈥� Local Decisions Allowed on Continuing Online Options

Minnesota public schools this fall 鈥� but are not required to do so. The Star Tribune is unaware of how many districts are offering this option but notes that those taking the state up on its offer have just six or seven weeks to establish a model for distance education. Minnesota Education Commissioner Heather Mueller stated that with the Governor phasing out 鈥渉is emergency powers,鈥� mandates regarding social distancing and mask wearing are more of a local decision.

OHIO 鈥� Some Schools Digging Deeper Into 鈥楳astery鈥� Approach to Learning Amid Pandemic

What started as a summer project for Ohio students has transformed into something more beneficial 鈥� mastery learning. As many students have fallen behind due to at home learning, Cleveland and Columbus school districts are considering mastery learning to help bring students up to speed. District CEO Eric Gordon stated, 鈥淥ver time, [it] will actually close achievement gaps more quickly and effectively.鈥� 蜜桃影视 Million states that the concept 鈥渢hrows out standard expectations鈥� in a specific school year, by acknowledging that students learn differently. Mastery learning gives students time to learn at their own speed, 鈥渞epeating and reinforcing skills鈥� until they鈥檝e essentially mastered them.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 鈥� Fearing a 鈥楰-Shaped鈥� Recovery In Capital Classrooms This Year

Beth Hawkins covers how the pandemic鈥檚 鈥淜-shaped鈥� recovery might play out in the nation鈥檚 capital this school year, citing the fact that thousands of students, particularly at younger ages, went missing from schools during the pandemic. Teachers, bracing for unexpected learning conditions and a resurgent virus, are preparing to differentiate instruction for students at a daunting scale – with some national experts concerned that there could be as many as nine grade levels per class. Adding to the confusion, as traditional DC public schools prepare for an in-person start to the year, 3 large DC charter networks are seeking permission to continue offering all-virtual learning, citing parent demand and continued pandemic safety concerns.

MICHIGAN 鈥� Increased Revenues Allowed for Equal Per-Pupil Funding This Year

Record amounts of federal and state education funding will allow Michigan schools to receive the same amount of money per student this fall, a step up following 鈥渄ecades of unequal funding.鈥� According to lawmakers and other advocates, this rise in funding is not a result of 鈥渉ard political work鈥� — but more existing money that is available for investment. Doug Pratt, spokesman for the Michigan Education Association stated, 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that lawmakers have long wanted to do across both sides of the political aisle and there resources were there to finish the job.鈥�

SOUTH CAROLINA 鈥� New Funding Reserved for Early Childhood Programming:

South Carolina education officials announced they in the state. South Carolina First Steps Executive Director Georgia Mjarten said the funding would help transition programs, after-school and summer pre-school programs, parent engagement programs, and early childhood health programs reach as many as 25,000 more students and families over the next three years.

IDAHO 鈥� Teachers Union Urges Governor to Direct Portion of State Budget Surplus Towards Schools

Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced that the state鈥檚 budget surplus is projected to reach $900 million this year. Following the announcement, . Their recommendations include increased funding for mental health services and staff, increased pay for teachers and paraprofessionals, and decreased class sizes. Idaho Education Association President Layne McInelly believes that a strong public school system will draw more families and businesses to the state, 鈥減ublic education funded properly will only help everybody succeed.鈥�

KANSAS 鈥� State Education Agency Directs Some Federal Funding to Early Literacy

The Kansas State Department of Education . The Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling program provides teachers with 鈥渟pecialized training in the science of reading.鈥� A main objective of the initiative is to provide teachers with the proper tools to know when a student is struggling and how to intervene. Like many other states, Kansas鈥� students faced academic difficulties last school year that are reflected in test scores.

IOWA 鈥� Summer Programs Reengage Kids with Learning, Prepare Them for New Year

Expanded summer school programs in several Iowa school districts are drawing attention for their use of federal and state relief funding . Educator Sarah Lyons, who taught at the We Believe Summer Learning Academy at Fred Becker Elementary in Waterloo, said many of her students missed school last year due to coronavirus-related absences and that, thanks to the expanded summer programming, are now better prepared to re-engage this school year.

NEVADA 鈥� Reno Goes All In on Career and Technical Education

The city is going all in on Career and Technical Education as its schools emerge from the worst of the pandemic. Citing how the pandemic鈥檚 K-shaped economic recovery is driving greatly different outcomes for high earners compared to low earners, 蜜桃影视 reports Reno is attempting to adjust its education system to align with its success in attracting a number of technical startups and corporations, including Tesla and other robotics and energy companies. 鈥淩eno鈥檚 success in reinventing itself as a high-tech hub and attracting associated growing industries is great,鈥� says Amy Fleming, a representative of the Nevada Governor’s Office for Workforce Innovation, writes. 鈥淏ut looking further out, the key to true long-term economic health is whether regional officials 鈥� and the school system 鈥� can nourish Reno鈥檚 blossoming startup sector.鈥�

This update on pandemic recovery in education collects and shares news updates from the district, state, and national levels as all stakeholders continue to work on developing safe, innovative plans to resume schooling and address learning loss. It鈥檚 an offshoot of the Collaborative for Student Success鈥� QuickSheet newsletter, .

New data shows that a majority of the nation鈥檚 largest 200 school districts are moving forward with full-time virtual options for students, even as the vast majority of schools prepare to reopen fully for in-person learning in the fall.

Some of the biggest districts 鈥� including New York City, Newark, and Chicago 鈥� have scrapped plans for their virtual academies, while Texas has barred full-time virtual options from being offered. But many parents, says CRPE鈥檚 Robin Lake, would like their children to remain in a remote environment 鈥� because of health concerns or a belief that some students thrived while outside of traditional schooling. In places where one is not available, parents are pursuing charter or private school options instead.

As the new school year approaches, the analysis suggests remote and hybrid learning models will likely 鈥渟tick鈥� beyond the pandemic as schools brace to reintegrate many of the nearly 2 million students who became disengaged from school systems in the last year. Despite their efforts, school officials say they expect a sizable portion of families to continue on with private, charter, or even homeschooling options.

Beyond issues of distance learning and virtual coursework, here are eight other updates from across the country about how states and school systems are confronting the challenges posed by the coronavirus emergency 鈥� and working to preserve student learning amid the pandemic:

1 OKLAHOMA 鈥� State Directs Relief Funding to Schools for Mental Health Professionals

Like many places across the country, Oklahoma is experiencing a growing need for school counselors, a trend exacerbated by the pandemic. To attempt to meet the need, the State Board of Education to 181 districts across the state aimed at hiring mental health professionals and increasing access to trauma services for schools.

2 ILLINOIS 鈥� Chicago Announces Student Vaccination Programs, Mobile Clinics

Following a call for 鈥渟tudent vaccination targets鈥� from Chicago鈥檚 teachers union, starting July 12. Three schools will host the vaccination sites throughout the summer. Chicago school districts cannot require students to be vaccinated. But students will be required to submit their vaccinations status at the start of the school year.

3 NEVADA 鈥� Rising Real Estate Costs, Pandemic Effects Hinder New School Openings

Three Las Vegas charter schools will delay reopening until fall 2022, Sandra Kinne of Sage Collegiate said her school will focus on finding an appropriate facility 鈥渋nstead of trying to scramble to hit even the minimal enrollment targets,鈥� concluding that making the decision to postpone the opening of the school was not an easy decision to make.

4 TEXAS 鈥� Learning Setbacks Coming into Focus with New Testing Results

Texas is the first state to from statewide annual testing this school year, after typical data collection halted in 2020. According to the Texas STAAR results, the percentage of students reading at grade level dipped to 2017 levels, while the percentage of students at grade level in math fell to lows last recorded in 2013. Still, some districts saw mixed findings, with surprising numbers of students maintaining or growing their scores in places like Waco, where officials say they saw performance later in the school year. While the scores represent decreased achievement for nearly 800,000 Texas students, many believe results from other states鈥� tests will depict similar trends.

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5 PENNSYLVANIA 鈥� Students Allowed 鈥淒o-Over鈥� Year, With Strict Limitation

A new law signed by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf experienced during the pandemic. However, educators and parents are pushing back, as the law required parents to notify schools of their decision to repeat a grade by July 15 to take advantage of the program. Advocates say the tight turnaround has created confusion and concern in some communities.

6 WEST VIRGINIA 鈥� Imagination Library to Provide Free Books Over Summer

The state of West Virginia is partnering with the Dollywood Foundation, country star Dolly Parton鈥檚 nonprofit philanthropic organization, . The books will be shipped in the coming weeks and will arrive early enough for teachers to incorporate them into lesson plans as schools reopen in a matter of weeks. Building on the effort, West Virginia education officials have also , which will prioritize addressing learning loss, preparing kids for the new year, and offering programming in the arts and sciences.

7 CALIFORNIA 鈥� State Adapts 鈥淚ndependent Study鈥� Rules to Allow for Continued Remote Learning

California officials have made a number of decisions for schools pertaining to reopening this fall, with districts established prior to the pandemic and recently clarified to account for those families who do not want their children to return to school buildings. The decision comes as state officials also , and as Gov. Gavin Newsom seeks to implement a . Among the investments laid out in the funding package is an expansion of the state鈥檚 two-year kindergarten program, which is expected to grow to serve nearly 250,000 students – up from about 91,000 students.

8 DELAWARE 鈥� Lawmakers Expand School Mental Health Services

Delaware lawmakers have passed legislation . The law alters the counselor to student ratio to 250 full-time students for every counselor and 700 students for every psychologist. The hiring of counselors and school psychologists will occur over a span of three years.

This update on pandemic recovery in education collects and shares news updates from the district, state, and national levels as all stakeholders continue to work on developing safe, innovative plans to resume schooling and address learning loss. It鈥檚 an offshoot of the Collaborative for Student Success鈥� QuickSheet newsletter, .

For many schools and districts, the end of last school year brought with it significant around enrollment 鈥� and whether the numerous factors that fed a nationwide decline in enrollment for schools are likely to continue or abate when schools reopen largely in the fall.

Questions surround topics like , which experienced a dramatic rise during the pandemic, and virtual learning, which some parents hope will remain an educational option even as leaders like Education Secretary Miguel Cardona around it continuing. Likely complicating the matter further are declines in enrollment rates for the youngest learners that were often many times higher than those of older grade levels.

That means schools are that could swell class sizes and raise the need for educators to prioritize focus on foundational skills.

Beyond issues of enrollment and early education, here are nine other updates from across the country about how states and school systems are confronting the challenges posed by the coronavirus emergency 鈥� and working to preserve student learning amid the pandemic:

1 Washington 鈥� State Tells Seattle Schools to Make Up For Violating Special Education Requirements

The Washington State Department of Education is ordering the Seattle Public Schools to address that were reported during the pandemic. Schools, in turn, are expected to offer a year of after-school tutoring or, in some cases, reimbursement for health-related expenses as compensation for the violations.

2 Massachusetts 鈥� Boston Ditches Plans for Full-Time Virtual School

Boston officials , joining a handful of districts who have canceled online schooling plans as classrooms reopen and virus counts continue to fall. Nine districts across the state say they plan to move forward with plans to prop up full-time virtual platforms, as state rules prevent schools from pursuing hybrid instruction. Some families are protesting the decisions, particularly Black and Latino families, who were almost four times as likely to report they鈥檇 opt into a virtual option rather than return their children to an in-person setting.

3 South Carolina 鈥� State Turns Off Internet Hotspots for the Summer

The South Carolina Department of Education announced plans 鈥� unless they are used for summer school or summer camp purposes. This update follows the state鈥檚 Office of Regulatory Staff summer 2020聽announcement that at least 100,000 households across South Carolina would be able to utilize mobile hotspots for their monthly internet access as COVID forced students online.

4 New York 鈥� Districts Eye Big Investments as Federal Dollars Flow Into Schools

In New York, some districts , even as other districts use the funding to fill widening gaps in budgets. The Niagara and Erie school districts, for example, will receive more than $485 million and are planning to expand hiring and mental health services, fix failing infrastructure, and upgrade technology and internet access before the 2024 spending deadline.

5 Pennsylvania 鈥� Districts Warn Federal Funds Won鈥檛 Close Their Budget Gaps

Numerous Pennsylvania school districts are expressing that . Dan McGarry, superintendent of the Upper Darby School District, says nearly $5 million in relief funding will be used to cover 鈥渆xisting costs鈥� rather than investing in new educators, reading specialists, or counselors.

6 Indiana 鈥� Indianapolis Schools to Post Public Tracker of COVID Relief Funds

District leaders in Indianapolis schools plan to publish an online tracker . The tracker represents a commitment to transparency for the district, says Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. 鈥淲e know folks are paying close attention to how schools are leveraging these dollars. We want to make sure that we are being as transparent as possible,鈥� Johnson stated. In addition to being categorized into buckets like instructional support, personal protective equipment, and facilities upgrades, the tracker will be updated quarterly and will be informed by community input.

7 West Virginia 鈥� Officials Rollout New COVID-19 Funding Guidance

West Virginia education officials are detailing how schools in the state . Melanie Purkey, executive director of the West Virginia Department of Education鈥檚 Office of Federal Programs, said in a recent State Board presentation that, 鈥淪chool systems will be required to spend at least $175 million on learning loss, $7.8 million on summer programs and $7.8 million on after-school programs, leaving $548 million remaining that counties can allocate toward allowable uses.鈥� Allowable uses, according to Purkey, are those 鈥減rojects that prevent, prepare for or respond to COVID-19.鈥�

8 New Jersey 鈥� Officials Offer Additional Year of Schooling for Students with Disabilities

To address learning loss and gaps in services for special education students stemming from the pandemic, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy . The state plans to use federal relief funding to pay for the temporary extension in services for as many as 8,000 students. The announcement follows a number of district officials raising concerns around student performance during the pandemic, as mid-year assessment data depict that over a in English language arts and math.

9 Louisiana 鈥� State Lawmakers Plan Expansion of Broadband Internet Grants

The state of Louisiana plans to spend . Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said that the lack of internet access 鈥渃rippled鈥� and in some aspects 鈥減aralyzed the city.鈥� Officials estimate the grants could bring access to nearly 150,000 households and business, though they estimate the state would need much more investment to entirely close gaps in access.

To offer remote learning in the fall or not? .

As schools cast their eyes to back-to-school season this fall, many are struggling to answer the question of whether to continue on with robust, virtual learning platforms. Though full-time remote options and mask mandates appear to be exiting stage left as case numbers subside and vaccinations increase, some families are urging schools to maintain some remote learning options.

Proponents of virtual school say some students with learning, social, or health challenges excelled while out of the traditional classroom. Complicating the decisions are new data indicating that white and Black families differ in their desire for continuing remote options, that for many, and that most schools will face a as parents begin their child鈥檚 education after delaying a year during the pandemic.

Beyond issues of continued virtual schooling, here are nine other updates from across the country about how states and school systems are confronting the challenges posed by the coronavirus emergency 鈥� and working to preserve student learning amid the pandemic:

1 Nevada 鈥� New Law Grants Mental Health Days to Students

A newly passed Nevada law if approved by a health professional. Students can be granted up to three days off from school a year. Officials cite record numbers of mental health challenges and youth suicides during the pandemic as cause for bolstering mental health supports across schools.

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2 IDAHO 鈥� Statewide Student Engagement Survey Finds Emotional, Academic Challenges

Data from the Idaho Department of Education鈥檚 statewide student engagement survey , while still others said they have merged from the pandemic more committed to school. Officials say the pandemic showed a spotlight on where school mental health and well-being supports ought to be strengthened, particularly for students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and students of color. To ease the transition back to classrooms and begin addressing academic and social-emotional concerns, some , but say that such investments will need to continue beyond the summer and next school year.

3 INDIANA 鈥� State Awards Grants to Bolster Summer Learning Programs

聽In an effort to catch students up after a difficult year, the Indiana Department of Education across the state with summer education programs. Indiana鈥檚 DOE plans to check-in with the award recipients to gauge students鈥� progress throughout the summer.

4 CALIFORNIA 鈥� Schools Move Forward with Fall Remote Learning, Despite Limitations

California officials options next fall, as the state鈥檚 temporary measure to allow remote students to factor into a school鈥檚 funding is set to expire at the end of June. Though the state maintains rules allowing students to pursue 鈥渋ndependent study,鈥� critics say additional rules and guidelines are required to ensure that the option does not allow low-performing students to be pushed out or neglected by schools and that independent study programs deliver the same level of opportunities and access.

5 MICHIGAN 鈥� Gov. Details Child Care Expansion Plan

This month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed details of her across the state. The proposed plan would deliver pay incentives for child care workers and expand grants for providers serving high-needs areas.

6 NEW YORK 鈥� Sec. Cardona Meets with High School Students, Discuss Reopening

In a visit to New York City鈥檚 Harvey Milk High School, , from school reopening to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students. After discussing efforts in some states to limit involvement in sports by transgender students, a student at Harvey Milk said, 鈥淚t felt really nice because our voice has never really been heard in that way before.鈥�

7 OHIO 鈥� Officials Plan to Direct Some Relief Funding to Prepare for Future Education Disruption

In a report submitted to the Education Department earlier this month, in aid that the state鈥檚 schools will receive as part of federal relief legislation. Among the plans to improve mental health resources and test-taking options, Ohio officials also carved out funding to help the state prepare for future disruptions to learning by delivering 鈥渙ff-site learning.鈥� Under the plan, district and state officials would also coordinate to address declines in enrollment and to reconnect with students who have become disengaged from schools during the past year.

8 LOUISIANA 鈥� Lawmakers Approve Record Education Budget With Raises

Under unanimously passed updates to Louisiana鈥檚 school funding formula, , including a $800 salary increase for 鈥渃ertificated personnel鈥� and an additional $400 for bus drivers. The passed plan is set to take effect July 1.

9 TEXAS 鈥� 鈥楽cience of Reading’ Approach Empowered Educators, Students During Pandemic

Educators in Texas鈥� San Antonio ISD are sharing that utilizing a 鈥淪cience of Reading鈥� approach to literacy instruction helped them structure learning much more effectively during the pandemic while driving meaningful improvements in student progress. They are urging fellow teachers to shift from the 鈥渂alanced literacy鈥� approach that has been declining in favor in recent years, while saying that the pandemic presents an opportunity to evolve instructional systems. 鈥淧eople, I believe,鈥� one teacher stated,鈥� will move into what鈥檚 best for our students.鈥�

This update on pandemic recovery in education collects and shares news updates from the district, state, and national levels as all stakeholders continue to work on developing safe, innovative plans to resume schooling and address learning loss. It鈥檚 an offshoot of the Collaborative for Student Success鈥� QuickSheet newsletter, which you can .听