In the week since we last updated this graphic on April 6, nine more states–including Alaska, Idaho, and Washington–have opted to close school buildings for the remainder of the academic year, bringing to 21 the total number of states with schools closed until August or September. Six states plus Washington, D.C., still have stated plans to reopen their schools in April; that count is down from 11 states plus D.C. at our last update.
U.S. school closures because of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 began in New York private schools March 3, expanded to some Seattle-area public schools on March 6, and have rapidly swept the country. Education Next published its first article on the issue, “Closing Schools To Slow a Pandemic,” March 9. A March 25 article, “Covid-19 Closed Schools. When Should They Reopen?” included then-current information on the duration of announced school closures, along with a discussion of the factors to consider in deciding whether to resume. The timetable for schools to re-open is updated in the infographic below. While schools are closed physically, many, though not all, are providing some kind of distance learning or online programming.
Statewide School Closures
Source: Council of Chief State School Officers; Education Next research
* Recommendation only.
** Recommendation only, districts are allowed to reopen if local social distancing requirements are lifted.
Note: All data as of April 12, 2020. New York City’s mayor has announced that the city’s public schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year, though the governor of New York has insisted that no such decision has been made and has denied that the mayor has the authority to make it.
More up-to-date closure and re-opening information, accurate as of May 4, 2020, is available here.
Read more from Education Next on coronavirus and Covid-19.
