Coronavirus

Education news, analysis, and opinion about COVID-19 and its impact on schools and communities

Charts

9 Charts That Show the Lasting Effects of COVID on Schools
Key data on some of the move consequential changes, five years later.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle delivers a keynote address.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle called vaccination "one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe."
Moses Mitchell/National Education Association
Teaching Profession Nation's Largest Teachers' Union Now Supports Vaccine Mandates for Educators
The National Education Association's head also stressed the need for employee input, including collective bargaining where applicable.
Sarah Schwartz, August 12, 2021
3 min read
Image of a cotton swab test.
iStock/Getty
States Connecticut Will Offer Weekly Coronavirus Testing to Elementary Schools
The state is planning to offer a weekly COVID-19 testing program for unvaccinated, asymptomatic elementary school students and staff.
Amanda Blanco, Hartford Courant, August 11, 2021
4 min read
Dr. Paul Offit is a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Paul A. Offit is a virology and infectious-disease expert at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Photo courtesy of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
School & District Management Q&A Will Delta Push Schools to the Brink (Again)? This Infectious Disease Expert Is Worried
Dr. Paul A. Offit says schools that can't enforce mask wearing or use remote learning could end up in a "dangerous situation."
Catherine Gewertz, August 11, 2021
4 min read
Teacher Lizbeth Osuna from Cooper Elementary receives the Moderna vaccine at a CPS vaccination site at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.
Teacher Lizbeth Osuna from Cooper Elementary receives the Moderna vaccine at a Chicago Public Schools vaccination site at Roberto Clemente High School.
Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Teaching Profession California Mandates That Teachers Get Vaccinated or Regularly Tested for COVID
California is the first state in the nation to issue such a requirement for all school staff in both public and private schools.
Madeline Will, August 11, 2021
4 min read
School employee Amanda Anguiano gets tested for COVID-19 on the first day of in-person learning at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in Los Angeles on April 13, 2021.
School employee Amanda Anguiano gets tested for COVID-19 on the first day of in-person learning at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in Los Angeles earlier this year.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement What the Research Says More Schools Are Doing Systemic COVID Testing. Will It Work?
How do you stop a rapidly spreading new variant in schools where many can be contagious without symptoms? Systemic testing may be key.
Sarah D. Sparks, August 10, 2021
7 min read
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives for an event with President Joe Biden on the coronavirus in the State Dinning Room of the White House on Jan. 21, 2021.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives for an event on the coronavirus in January.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal Fauci Backs Teacher Vaccine Mandates: 'We Are in a Critical Situation Now'
The nation's chief epidemiologist said such mandates for teacher COVID-19 vaccinations would not be set at the federal level.
Evie Blad, August 10, 2021
2 min read
First-grade teacher Megan Garner-Jones, left, and Principal Cynthia Eisner silent clap for their students participating remotely and in-person at School 16, in Yonkers, N.Y., on Oct. 20, 2020.
First-grade teacher Megan Garner-Jones, left, and Principal Cynthia Eisner silent clap for their students participating remotely and in-person at School 16, in Yonkers, N.Y., in October of last year.
Mary Altaffer/AP
School & District Management From Our Research Center As Delta Variant Spreads, Twice as Many K-12 Leaders Pivot to Hybrid Learning
Twenty percent of school and district leaders now report that they’ll adopt hybrid instructional models, up from 10 percent a month earlier.

Holly Kurtz, August 9, 2021
4 min read
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has called the coronavirus Delta virus "alarming."
Cliff Owen/AP
Teaching Profession AFT President Randi Weingarten Backs COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Teachers
As strife around school reopening surges, the teachers' union head says increasing vaccinations is paramount.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 8, 2021
3 min read
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson takes off his face mask as he arrives for a daily coronavirus briefing at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. on April 27, 2020. Hutchinson signed a bill in April banning statewide and local mask mandates in Arkansas, but he is now considering rolling back that law amid concerns of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson takes off his face mask as he arrives for a daily coronavirus briefing at the state Capitol in Little Rock in April.
Staton Breidenthal/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP
States Arkansas Judge Pauses Ban on School Mask Mandates After Lawmakers Fail to Act
As Arkansas sees soaring rates of COVID-19, school districts will—at least for now—be able to set their own local mask requirements.
Evie Blad, August 6, 2021
3 min read
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020, in New York.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020, in New York.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Teaching Profession Teachers' Unions Have Opposed Vaccine Mandates. But That May Change
American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten has said she is now considering supporting vaccine mandates after initial resistance.
Madeline Will, August 5, 2021
6 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona talks with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott after a tour of Graceland Park-O'Donnell Heights Elementary Middle School in Baltimore on Aug. 4, 2021.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona talks with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott after a tour of Graceland Park-O'Donnell Heights Elementary Middle School in Baltimore this week.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun via TNS
Federal Cardona Admonishes Governors Who Ban Mask Mandates, Says 'All Teachers' Want Schools Open
At a White House press conference, the education secretary said schools have sufficient resources and experience to operate safely.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 5, 2021
5 min read
Image of a road marked "SCHOOL ZONE."
Sergi Nunez/iStock/Getty
School & District Management 5 Ways Districts Are Battling the Delta Variant Amid Political Upheaval
As concern about the Delta variant mounts, districts are entertaining a diverse set of ideas to keep students and schools safe—and to work around state prohibitions.
Stephen Sawchuk, August 4, 2021
5 min read
Palmcroft Elementary School Principal Jennette Arviso, right, helps a parent on the first day of school Aug. 2 in Yuma, Ariz.
Palmcroft Elementary School Principal Jennette Arviso, right, helps a parent on the first day of school Aug. 2 in Yuma, Ariz. Teachers are worried about returning to school amid surging coronavirus cases.
Randy Hoeft/The Yuma Sun via AP
Teaching Profession 'Here We Are Again:' Weary Teachers Brace for Another COVID School Year
With coronavirus cases surging due to the Delta variant, and mask mandates off the table in some places, teachers say they're worried once again.
Madeline Will, August 4, 2021
7 min read
Image of a dollar bill folded into an upward arrow.
ImagePixel/iStock/Getty
Budget & Finance Will Teachers Get Vaccinated for $1,000?
More and more districts are offering cash to employees who get vaccinated, hoping that the money will help tamp down COVID-19 spread.
Mark Lieberman, August 4, 2021
6 min read