As schools prepare to reopen, they must ensure students have access to the education they deserve. That means putting safety first, with clear protocols that take into account the needs of students and educators. In April, the AFT released a framework on safely reopening schools, based on science and public health protocols as well as educator, school staff and healthcare expertise—not politics or wishful thinking.
While many schools and districts have made great strides toward reopening, the work is not done. It’s important that all communities understand what it takes to make reopening successful. Districts that have succeeded in reopening sites for in-person instruction have taken the time to invest heavily in viral testing and have remained consistent with their decision-making processes. They also employ multilayered mitigation strategies that include face coverings and social distancing, and regular nightly deep cleanings of cafeterias, auditoriums and gyms to prevent contamination.
The New York City Department of Education has been particularly successful in keeping schools open by relying on its three-tier Micro-Cluster strategy with color-coded zones (yellow, orange and red) to determine restrictions for individual schools and classrooms. Schools in red zones must adhere to a stricter positivity threshold—20% of the student and faculty population must test positive on a rolling seven-day surveillance sample.
In this way, NYC has provided a model for how schools can reopen while ensuring that they are safe and providing the best educational opportunities for all students. The key is to focus on building trust and a clear understanding of roles, expectations and responsibilities, with transparent communication and coordination between all stakeholders. This is a model that can be replicated by other districts across the country.
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