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School responses in Alaska to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

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Responses by state

As students returned to school for the 2021-2022 school year, states set a variety of policies on education and the COVID-19 pandemic, including how schools should open to in-person instruction and whether students and staff would be required to wear masks. By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, about 66% of students nationwide were in states that left closure decisions to schools or districts, 33% were in states with state-ordered in-person instruction, and 1% were in states with state-ordered regional school closures.[1][2] All 50 states closed schools to in-person instruction at some point during the 2019-2020 school year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This article summarizes responses to the coronavirus in Alaska schools in the academic years ending in 2020, 2021, and 2022. You will find:

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This page is updated monthly, but our email is always open. We encourage you to share updates from local officials, policymakers, and campaigns in your community at editor@ballotpedia.org.


Timeline by school year

Below is a list of major events involving schools in Alaska during the coronavirus pandemic between 2019 and 2022, including school closings and openings, mask requirements, and the release of statewide operating guidance. Know of something we missed? Click here to email us and let us know.

2021-2022 school year

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported three in-person schooling disruptions in Alaska.[3][4]


2020-2021 school year

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Alaska .[5][6]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Alaska.[7][8]
  • June 4, 2020: The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development released the Alaska Smart Start 2020 guidance. The guidance offered instructions for schools operating in low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk environments.[9]


2019-2020 school year

  • April 9, 2020: Dunleavy closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 1.[10]
  • March 20, 2020: Dunleavy announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end March 30, was extended to May 1.[11]
  • March 13, 2020: Dunleavy ordered a statewide closure of public schools March 16 through March 30.[12]

Mask and vaccine requirements in the 2021-2022 school year

Mask requirements in schools

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

As of August 1, 2022, no states had school mask requirements in effect. Forty-two states left mask requirements in schools up to local authorities. Seven states banned school mask requirements.

The table below shows statewide school mask requirement laws and orders in states with school mask requirements or school mask requirement bans in place at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Mask requirement orders
State Ban or requirement? Type of order Date lifted or altered
Arizona Ban Legislative action N/A
Arkansas Ban Legislative action Sept. 30, 2021 - Suspended by court action
California Requirement California Department of Public Health order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Connecticut Requirement Executive order Feb. 28, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Delaware Requirement Executive order March 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Florida Ban Executive order N/A[13]
Georgia Ban Legislative action N/A
Hawaii Requirement Executive order Aug. 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Illinois Requirement Illinois Department of Public Health order Feb. 4, 2022 - Suspended by court action[14]
Iowa Ban Legislative action May 16, 2022 - Reinstated by court action[15]
Kentucky Requirement Kentucky Board of Education order Sept. 9, 2021 - Suspended by state law
Louisiana Requirement Executive order Feb. 16, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[16]
Maryland Requirement Maryland State Board of Education order March 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[17]
Massachusetts Requirement Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education order Feb. 28, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[18]
Nevada Requirement Executive order Feb. 10, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New Jersey Requirement Executive order March 7, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New Mexico Requirement New Mexico Public Education Department order Feb. 17, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New York Requirement Executive order March 3, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Oklahoma Ban Executive order N/A
Oregon Requirement Oregon Health Authority and Department of Education order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Pennsylvania Requirement Pennsylvania Department of Health order Dec. 10, 2021 - Suspended by court action
Rhode Island Requirement Executive order March 4, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
South Carolina Ban Legislative action Sept. 28, 2021 - Temporarily suspended by court action
Tennessee Ban Executive order Dec. 10, 2021 - Suspended by court action
Texas Ban Executive order N/A[19]
Utah Ban Legislative action N/A
Virginia Ban Legislative action N/A
Washington Requirement Washington State Department of Public Health order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action

School mask requirements over time

School mask bans over time


Teacher and school employee vaccine requirements

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

Seven states had issued a statewide requirement for K-12 teachers and staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or receive regular coronavirus testing during the 2021-2022 school year. The table below shows teacher and staff vaccine requirement laws and orders in states that issued such policies during the 2021-2022 school year.

Vaccine requirement orders
State Testing instead of vaccination allowed? Type of order Date effective
California Yes California Department of Public Health order Oct. 15, 2021
Connecticut No Executive order Sept. 27, 2021
Delaware Yes Executive order Nov. 1, 2021
Illinois Yes Executive order Issued: Sept. 19, 2021
Suspended by court action on Feb. 4, 2022
New Jersey Yes Executive order Oct. 18, 2021
New York Yes Executive order Sept. 19, 2021
Oregon No Executive order Oct. 18, 2021
Washington No Executive order Oct. 18, 2021


Student vaccine requirements

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

On Oct. 1, 2021, California was the first state to announce a vaccine requirement for eligible students. Louisiana also announced a vaccine requirement for eligible students on Dec. 14, but then announced the state would be removing the coronavirus vaccine from the list of required immunizations in schools on May 18, 2022.

School reopenings and closures (2020-2021 academic year)

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year

Initial school year operating plan

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: July 24, 2020

Alaska released an initial operating plan for the 2020-2021 school year on July 15, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on July 24. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) most recently updated its school reopening guidance on July 15. The plan contains recommendations and best practices for schools and local districts—it does not contain requirements. Schools and local boards have the power to develop their own frameworks.

Alaska does not have an official date for public schools to reopen. According to EdWeek, public schools in Alaska traditionally start the academic year between mid- and late August, with the exact start date varying by district.

On March 13, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) closed public schools through March 30. On March 20, the state announced schools would remain closed through May 1. Dunleavy ended the public school year on April 9.

Context

Alaska has a divided government. The governor is a Republican and Republicans hold a majority in the state Senate, but power in the state House is split.

The following tables show public education statistics in Alaska, including a rank comparing it to the other 49 states. Rank one is the highest number of each figure, rank 50 is the lowest. All data comes from the Common Core of Data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Alaska school metrics
Category Figure Rank
Per pupil spending (16-17) $19,456 6
Number of students (18-19) 130,963 47
Number of teachers (Fall 2016) 7,825 49
Number of public schools (18-19) 510 44
Student:teacher ratio (18-19) 17.1 14
Percent qualifying for free/reduced lunch (16-17) 45.3% 32


Alaska school revenue
Category Figure Rank
Total revenue $2,935,538,000 40
Federal revenue percent 11.8% 10
State revenue percent 69.4% 4
Local revenue percent 18.7% 47

Details

District reopening plans

School districts are encouraged to submit their detailed reopening plans to the state. According to the plan, “DEED is requesting each district use this framework to build a comprehensive plan for teaching and learning in the upcoming school year and submit the plan to the department. DEED will post district plans online for the public to view.”

In-person, hybrid, and online learning

Districts are allowed to choose between in-person, hybrid, and fully remote learning depending on the effects of the virus in their community. The plan advises school and school board leaders to coordinate with local health officials to determine whether their district is at high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk.

In high-risk communities, online learning is encouraged. The plan recommends considering hybrid and in-person learning for medium- and low-risk communities.

Mask requirements

The plan recommends that students and faculty wear face masks when possible, especially when distancing cannot be consistently maintained.

In-person health recommendations and requirements

The state’s guidelines recommend the following actions for all schools, regardless of risk level:

“
  • Coordinate with local health officials and monitor changes in community spread.
  • Teach and reinforce healthy hygiene. Ensure hand hygiene supplies are readily available in school buildings.
  • Designate a staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns.
  • Monitor health clinic traffic. School nurses and other healthcare providers play an important role in monitoring health clinic traffic and the types of illnesses and symptoms among students.
  • Establish and implement a cleaning and disinfection plan following CDC guidance.
  • Train all teachers and staff in the above safety actions. Consider conducting the training virtually, or, if in-person, ensure that social distancing is maintained.[20]
 ”

For medium-risk schools, Alaska’s plan suggests:

“
  • Implement multiple social distancing strategies for gatherings, classrooms, and movement through school buildings.
  • Limit the number of students per class and attendees per gathering to maintain six feet social distancing.
  • Alter schedules to reduce mixing of students (ex: stagger recess, entry/dismissal times).
  • If feasible, conduct daily health checks (e.g. temperature screening and/or symptoms checking) of staff and students safely, respectfully, as well as in accordance with any applicable privacy laws or regulations. Confidentiality should be maintained.
  • Consider distance learning in some settings or with vulnerable students and staff.
  • Intensify cleaning and disinfection plan.
  • Implement social distancing strategies on buses and other transportation of students.
  • Have a plan to protect vulnerable students and staff, those with chronic conditions, special health care needs or disabilities.[20]
 ”

For low-risk schools, the plan recommends:

“
  • Consider ways to accommodate needs of children and families at high risk, including supports for at-home learning.
  • Follow cleaning and disinfection plan.
  • Follow local community health guidelines for guidance on social distancing and group size for classrooms based on community spread.[20]
 ”

Transportation and busing requirements and restrictions

The guidance included the following recommendations for bus operators:

  • Keep children socially distanced on school buses (one student per seat, unless the children are siblings)
  • Disinfect buses at least daily according to CDC guidelines
  • Encourage or require bus drivers and students to wear masks

Map of school closures

The map below shows the status of school reopenings and closures at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year.

As of July 8, 2021, the status of school closures and reopenings was as follows:

  • Two states (Delaware, Hawaii) and Washington, D.C. had state-ordered regional school closures, required closures for certain grade levels, or allowed hybrid instruction only.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 410,896 students (0.81% of students nationwide)
  • Thirteen states had state-ordered in-person instruction.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 15,697,460 students (30.96% of students nationwide)
  • One state (Arizona) had state-ordered in-person instruction for certain grades.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 1,152,586 students (2.27% of students nationwide)
  • Thirty-four states left decisions to schools or districts.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 33,449,499 students (65.96% of students nationwide)



School reopenings and closures (2019-2020 academic year)

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2019-2020 academic year


The map below shows the status of school reopenings and closures at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.

  • States closed to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year: 48
  • Number of public school students in states closed to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year: 50,261,464


The chart below shows the first date schools in a state were closed to in-person instruction during the 2019-2020 academic year, divided by the political party of the governor.

School responses by state

To read about school responses to the coronavirus pandemic in others states, click one of the following links below:

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Number of operating public schools and districts, student membership, teachers, and pupil/teacher ratio, by state or jurisdiction: School year 2019–20," accessed September 10, 2021
  2. ↑ EducationWeek, "Map: Where Were Schools Required to Be Open for the 2020-21 School Year?," June 14, 2021
  3. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  4. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  5. ↑ Burbio rated Alaska's in-person index at 83.7. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  6. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed September 29, 2021
  7. ↑ Burbio rated Alabama's in-person index at between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  8. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed September 29, 2021
  9. ↑ Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, "Alaska Smart Start 2020," accessed June 18, 2020
  10. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "State extends Alaska’s K-12 schools closure through rest of school year," April 9, 2020
  11. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "State closes schools until May 1; two new COVID-19 cases in Alaska bring total to 14," March 20, 2020
  12. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska officials close public schools to students through March 30 to limit spread of coronavirus," March 14, 2020
  13. ↑ On Sept. 2, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Sept. 10.
  14. ↑ Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) ended the statewide school mask requirement on Feb. 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ On Sept. 13, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action for all schools. On Jan. 25, 2022, the ban was partially reinstated.
  16. ↑ Oct. 26, 2021 - School districts could be exempt from the school mask requirement if they followed CDC quarantine guidance
  17. ↑ Dec. 7, 2021 - School districts could be exempt from the school mask requirement if they met one of the three following criteria: 1) the county vaccination rate was 80% or higher, 2) 80% of school staff and students were vaccinated, or 3) COVID-19 transmission in the county was considered moderate or low for 14 straight days.
  18. ↑ Oct. 1 - Schools could become exempt from the school mask requirement when at least 80% of students were vaccinated
  19. ↑ On Nov. 10, 2021 the ban was suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Dec. 1.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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