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

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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. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance said "safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall [of] 2021 is a priority," and recommended "universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status."[1] At the beginning of August 2021, Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, and five other states had school mask requirement bans in place. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said he supported "the rights of parents to make decisions about their children's education and health care decisions."[2] When New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced a statewide mask requirement in the state, he said "I know that by taking this precaution we can keep our schools open while also keeping our children safe."[3]

This article covers state education policies related to the coronavirus during the 2021-2022 school year, including reopening guidance, state-level school mask mandates, and teacher and staff vaccination requirements. To read about state education policies related to the coronavirus in the 2020-2021 academic year, click here.

In this article you will find:


Click your state in the map below to read more about its policies for the 2021-2022 school year.

https://ballotpedia.org/School_responses_to_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic_during_the_2021-2022_academic_year#STATE

Mask requirements in schools

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[4]
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[5]
Iowa Ban Legislative action May 16, 2022 - Reinstated by court action[6]
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[7]
Maryland Requirement Maryland State Board of Education order March 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[8]
Massachusetts Requirement Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education order Feb. 28, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[9]
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[10]
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

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

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.

State education policies related to the coronavirus in the 2021-2022 school year

The section below provides state timelines of state education policies related to the coronavirus pandemic during the 2021-2022 school year. To notify us of a statewide school response to the coronavirus, email us.

Alabama

Alabama's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported thirty-two in-person schooling disruptions in Alabama.[11][12]
  • July 30, 2021: The Alabama Department of Public Health released back-to-school guidance for the 2021-2022 school year.[13]


Alaska

Alaska's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported three in-person schooling disruptions in Alaska.[14][15]


Arizona

Arizona's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • April 25, 2022: Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed a bill into law banning schools from requiring masks without parental consent. It was set to take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourned.[16]
  • Sept. 26, 2021: Arizona Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled Arizona’s school mask requirement ban was unconstitutional and could not be enforced. The school mask requirement ban had been previously scheduled to take effect on Sept. 29.[17]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported four in-person schooling disruptions in Arizona.[18][19]
  • Aug. 16, 2021:
    • Gov. Doug Ducey (R) said he would withhold school grants taken from federal coronavirus relief funds from schools that implemented mask requirements.[20]
    • Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner ruled that a state law banning school mask requirements would not take effect until Sept. 29.[20]


Arkansas

Arkansas' statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Dec. 29, 2021: The Arkansas Supreme Court issued a final ruling against the state’s mask requirement ban for schools and other government entities.[21]
  • Sept. 30, 2021: The Arkansas Supreme Court temporarily ruled that the state’s mask requirement ban for schools and other government entities could not be enforced.[22]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Arkansas.[23][24]
  • Aug. 6, 2021:
    • The Arkansas General Assembly adjourned its special session without making alterations to the state’s mask mandate ban to allow school districts to impose mask requirements. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) had called for the session on Aug. 3.[25]
    • Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox temporarily suspended the state’s mask requirement ban. Fox ruled the law discriminated between public and private schools and infringed on the governor’s emergency powers, the authority of municipal officials, and the authority of the state supreme court.[26]
  • Aug. 3, 2021: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) called the Arkansas General Assembly into special session. Hutchinson wanted lawmakers to create an exemption in Act 1002. The existing law banned state and local governments from imposing mask requirements. Hutchinson wanted an exemption that would allow school boards to require masks for students 11 years old and younger who couldn't receive the coronavirus vaccine. The special session began on Aug. 4.[27]


California

California's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 12, 2022: Statewide school mask requirements ended in California, Washington, and Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced the change on Feb. 28.[28]
  • February 28, 2022: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced their statewide school mask requirements would end on March 12.[28]
  • Oct. 1, 2021: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced the state would require eligible students in public and private schools to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The deadline for vaccination was set for the start of the term following vaccine approval of the student’s age group, with already eligible students required to be vaccinated by July 1, 2022.[29]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported eleven in-person schooling disruptions in California.[30][31]
  • Aug. 11, 2021: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced teachers and staff in private and public K-12 schools would be required to show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or receive a coronavirus test at least once per week.[32]


Colorado

Colorado's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported eleven in-person schooling disruptions in Colorado.[33][34]


Connecticut

Connecticut's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 28, 2022: Connecticut's school mask requirement ended. Gov. Ned Lamont (D) made the announcement on Feb. 7.[35]
  • Feb. 7, 2022: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced he intended to end the statewide school mask requirement on Feb. 28.[35]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in Connecticut.[36][37]
  • Aug. 19, 2021: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) issued an executive order requiring all state employees, staff in childcare facilities, and staff in pre-K through 12 schools to have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Sept. 27 or receive regular coronavirus testing.[38]


Delaware

Delaware's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 1, 2022: Delaware's school mask requirement ended. Gov. John Carney (D) announced the change on Feb. 28.[39]
  • Feb. 28, 2022: Gov. John Carney (D) announced Delaware's school mask requirement would end on March 1. It was previously set to end on March 31.[39]
  • Feb. 7, 2022: Gov. John Carney (D) extended the state's school mask requirement, and said it would be lifted on March 31.[40]
  • Dec. 13, 2021: Gov. John Carney (D) formally extended the state’s school mask requirement until Feb. 8, 2022.[41]
  • Nov. 10, 2021: Gov. John Carney (D) announced Delaware would extend the statewide school mask requirement through Feb. 8, 2022.[42]
  • Sept. 28, 2021: Gov. John Carney (D) announced a vaccine or testing requirement for teachers, staff, contractors and volunteers in K-12 public and private schools, effective Nov. 1.[43]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Delaware.[44][45]
  • Aug. 10, 2021: Gov. John Carney (D) issued an executive order requiring masks indoors in public and private schools, effective Aug. 16.[46]


Florida

Florida's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Nov. 18, 2021: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed House Bill 1B/Senate Bill 2B, which prohibited COVID-19 vaccine requirements in K-12 public schools and state government agencies.[47]
  • Oct. 7, 2021: The Florida Board of Education voted unanimously to withhold funding from eight school districts that issued mask mandates. The amount of funds withheld varied based on district board member salary and federal funding received.[48]
  • Sept. 22, 2021: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that asymptomatic students in public schools who came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 would not necessarily need to quarantine at home. DeSantis said that decision would be left up to parents.[49]
  • Sept. 15, 2021: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Chief Judge Kevin Michael Moore, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush (R), declined to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) executive order prohibiting school mask requirements. A group of parents of disabled children filed the lawsuit, arguing the order violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Moore said the parents should have pursued administrative remedies before filing a lawsuit.[50]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported twelve in-person schooling disruptions in Florida.[51][52]
  • Sept. 8, 2021: Florida Second Circuit Court Judge John Cooper ruled the state Department of Education could not enforce Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) order prohibiting mask requirements in public schools. Cooper ruled against DeSantis’ order on Aug. 27, but the ruling did not go into effect because DeSantis appealed the decision. Following a Sept. 8 hearing on the status of the order pending appeal, Cooper said the government did not present a compelling case for blocking his order. The ban on enforcement would remain in effect until the First District Court of Appeals heard DeSantis' appeal.[53]
  • Aug. 30, 2021: Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said he would withhold funding from school districts in Broward and Alachua counties that require students to wear masks.[54]
  • Aug. 27, 2021: Florida Second Circuit Court Judge John Cooper ruled the Florida Department of Education could not enforce Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) July 30 order authorizing Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran to withhold funding from school districts that require masks. Doing so, Cooper said, would violate a separation of powers statute.[55]
  • Aug. 18, 2021: The Miami-Dade County Public Schools board voted 7-1 to approve a mask mandate for students, teachers, and staff. On July 30, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order allowing parents to decide if their children wear masks at school. Miami-Dade is the largest school district in Florida.[56]
  • July 30, 2021: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order prohibiting K-12 public schools from requiring that students wear masks in schools. [57]


Georgia

Georgia's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 29, 2022: Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill into law allowing parents to exempt their children from school mask requirements.[58]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported sixty-two in-person schooling disruptions in Georgia.[59][60]


Hawaii

Hawaii's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • July 12, 2022: Hawaii announced it would lift its school mask requirement on August 1.[61]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in Hawaii.[62][63]


Idaho

Idaho's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported eleven in-person schooling disruptions in Idaho.[64][65]


Illinois

Illinois' statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 28, 2022: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) ended the statewide school mask requirement. He made the announcement on Feb. 25. Illinois' school mask requirement wasn't in effect at the time since it had previously been suspended on Feb. 4 by state court action.[66]
  • Feb. 25, 2022: The Illinois Supreme Court denied Gov. J.B. Pritzker's (D) appeal of a lower court's ruling overturning the statewide school mask requirement.[67]
  • Feb. 17, 2022: The Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court dismissed Gov. J.B. Pritzker's (D) appeal of a lower court's ruling overturning the statewide school mask requirement. In the ruling, the judges said a decision by a legislative committee denying the renewal of the requirement meant that the policy was null and void.[68]
  • Feb. 4, 2022: Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued a ruling overturning Illinois' statewide school mask requirement and teacher vaccine requirement, among other coronavirus-related school policies issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).[69]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported six in-person schooling disruptions in Illinois.[70][71]
  • Sept. 3, 2021: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) extended the first dose vaccination deadline for teachers and school staff to Sept. 19. The original deadline was Sept. 5.[72]
  • Aug. 26, 2021: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced a coronavirus vaccine or regular testing requirement for public and private pre-K through 12 teachers and staff, higher education teachers and staff, students in higher education, and healthcare workers, effective Sept. 5.[73]
  • Aug. 4, 2021: Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced masks would be required in all Illinois public schools for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.[74]
  • July 9, 2021: Illinois Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala issued a declaration requiring in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. Remote instruction will be available to students who are unable to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[75]


Indiana

Indiana's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported fifteen in-person schooling disruptions in Indiana.[76][77]
  • Sept. 1, 2021: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) issued an order exempting schools and daycare centers with consistent mask usage from quarantine requirements. The exemption applied to a student, staff member, or teacher who was a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, but showed no symptoms.[78]


Iowa

Iowa's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • May 16, 2022: The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit lifted an injunction on the state's school mask requirement ban.[79]
  • Jan. 25, 2022: The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld and narrowed a lower court's injunction against an Iowa law banning mask mandates in schools. The court ruled that the injunction only applied to schools where students with disabilities who need mask accommodations are in attendance.[80]
  • Oct. 8, 2021: U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt granted a preliminary injunction against an Iowa law banning mask mandates in schools. Pratt’s ruling allowed the approximately 20 districts in the state with mask mandates to keep them. The state announced it will appeal the decision.[81]
  • Sept. 13, 2021: U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa Judge Robert Pratt temporarily blocked a law prohibiting schools from enforcing mask requirements. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said she planned to appeal the decision.[82]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported three in-person schooling disruptions in Iowa.[83][84]


Kansas

Kansas' statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported three in-person schooling disruptions in Kansas.[85][86]


Kentucky

Kentucky's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021:
    • The Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill in special session overriding the state’s mask requirement policy for public schools. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) vetoed the part of the bill reversing the school mask requirement, and his veto was overridden 69-24 in the House and 21-6 in the Senate. The bill requires school mask requirement decisions to be left to local authorities. Beshear called for the special session on Sept. 4.[87]
    • At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported thirty-nine in-person schooling disruptions in Kentucky.[88][89]
  • Aug. 23, 2021: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) rescinded his executive order requiring masks be worn in schools. Masks were still required in Kentucky public schools due to a separate Kentucky Board of Education order. Beshear’s action followed a Kentucky Supreme Court opinion issued Aug. 21 upholding limits the state legislature placed on the governor’s emergency powers.[90]
  • Aug. 10, 2021: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) released an executive order requiring all individuals to wear masks inside of public and private schools.[91]
  • July 26, 2021: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) recommended that school districts require all students under 12, all other unvaccinated students, and all unvaccinated adults to wear masks indoors.[92]


Louisiana

Louisiana's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • May 18, 2022: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced the state would be removing the coronavirus vaccine from the list of required immunizations in schools.[93]
  • Feb. 16, 2022: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) allowed the statewide school mask requirement to expire.[94]
  • Dec. 14, 2021: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced that the Louisiana Department of Health would add the coronavirus vaccine to the list of required vaccinations for students 16 and older, overriding the Louisiana House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee’s Dec. 6 vote against the policy. He said parents could submit a written objection to opt out.[95]
  • Dec. 6, 2021: The Louisiana House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject a Louisiana Department of Health proposal that would have added the coronavirus vaccine to the list of required vaccinations for some students.[96]
  • Oct. 26, 2021: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) lifted the statewide indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all settings except for K-12 schools. School districts have the option not to require masks if they follow CDC quarantine guidelines.[97]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported four in-person schooling disruptions in Louisiana.[98][99]


Maine

Maine's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported six in-person schooling disruptions in Maine.[100][101]


Maryland

Maryland's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 1, 2022: Maryland's school mask requirement ended. The Maryland State Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review voted to approve the Maryland Board of Education's resolution to rescind the state's school mask requirement on Feb. 25.[102]
  • Feb. 25, 2022: The Maryland State Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review voted 17-1 to approve the Maryland Board of Education's resolution to rescind the state's school mask requirement.[102]
  • Jan. 5, 2022: The Maryland State Board of Education extended the statewide school mask requirement by 180 days.[103]
  • Dec. 7, 2021: The Maryland State Board of Education voted 12-1 to allow local districts to end mask mandates if one of three conditions was met. The conditions were that 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.[104]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Maryland.[105][106]


Massachusetts

Massachusetts' statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 28, 2022: Massachusetts' statewide school mask requirement ended. Department of Elementary and Second Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley announced the change on Feb. 9.[107]
  • Feb. 9, 2022: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Second Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley announced the state would end its school mask requirement on February 28, 2022.[107]
  • Jan. 10, 2022: Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley extended the K-12 mask requirement through Feb. 28.[108]
  • Oct. 26, 2021: Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley extended the K-12 mask requirement through Jan. 15, 2022. The requirement applied to all staff and students aged five and older in most indoor public school settings.[109]
  • Oct. 12, 2021: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that Hopkinton High School was the first school in the state allowed to lift its indoor mask requirement. Beginning Oct. 1, schools in Massachusetts were able to lift their mask requirements if at least 80% of students were vaccinated.[110]
  • Sept. 27, 2021: Commissioner of Education Jeff Riley extended the K-12 public school mask mandate through Nov. 1. The mandate applied to students, teachers, and staff. Riley announced that middle and high schools where at least 80% of students and staff are vaccinated could opt out of the mandate after Oct. 1.[111]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in Massachusetts.[112][113]
  • Aug. 24, 2021: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted to allow Commissioner Jeffrey Riley to implement a mask mandate for K-12 public school teachers, staff, and students. The mandate would apply to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in middle and high schools through Oct. 1. After Oct. 1, the mandate would only apply to schools with a vaccination rate of less than 80% and unvaccinated individuals in schools with an 80% or greater vaccination rate.[114]


Michigan

Michigan's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in Michigan.[115][116]


Minnesota

Minnesota's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Minnesota.[117][118]


Mississippi

Mississippi's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported forty-five in-person schooling disruptions in Mississippi.[119][120]


Missouri

Missouri's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported three in-person schooling disruptions in Missouri.[121][122]


Montana

Montana's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported two in-person schooling disruptions in Montana.[123][124]


Nebraska

Nebraska's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Nebraska.[125][126]


Nevada

Nevada's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 10, 2022: Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) lifted the statewide school mask requirement, transferring authority for mask decisions to local jurisdictions.[127]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported four in-person schooling disruptions in Nevada.[128][129]
  • Aug. 4, 2021: Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) issued an order requiring staff and students at public, private, and charter schools in counties with more than 100,000 people to wear face masks while in school buildings or buses. Sisolak’s initial directive applied to schools in all counties. School superintendent objections prompted him to issue an additional order later in the afternoon exempting schools in counties with fewer than 100,000 people.[130]


New Hampshire

New Hampshire's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in New Hampshire.[131][132]


New Jersey

New Jersey's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 7, 2022: New Jersey's school mask requirement ended. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced the change on Feb. 7.[133]
  • Feb. 7, 2022: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced the school mask requirement would end on March 7.[133]
  • Jan. 11, 2022: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) extended the state's school mask requirement for an additional 30 days.[134]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in New Jersey.[135][136]
  • Aug. 23, 2021: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed an executive order requiring all teachers and staff in pre-K through 12 schools to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or receive regular coronavirus testing.[3]
  • Aug. 6, 2021: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued an executive order requiring masks indoors in private and public schools, effective Aug. 9.[137]
  • May 17, 2021: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced all public schools would have to offer full-time in-person instruction during the 2021-2022 school year. He also said parents would not be able to choose an online option if their child attended public school.[138]


New Mexico

New Mexico's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 17, 2022: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) lifted the statewide school mask requirement.[139]
  • Feb. 4, 2022: The New Mexico Department of Health extended the statewide school mask requirement through March 4.[140]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported seven in-person schooling disruptions in New Mexico.[141][142]


New York

New York's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 3, 2022: New York's school mask requirement ended. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced the change on Feb. 27.[143]
  • Feb. 27, 2022: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced the state's school mask requirement would end on March 3.[143]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in New York.[144][145]
  • Sept. 2, 2021: The New York Department of Health released a regulation requiring teachers and school staff to be vaccinated or receive regular coronavirus testing.[146]
  • Aug. 27, 2021: The New York State Department of Health filed an emergency regulation requiring masks be worn in schools. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced she was directing the agency to implement this policy on Aug. 24.[147]
  • Aug. 24, 2021: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced she was directing the Department of Health to institute a universal mask requirement in public and private schools. In a press release, Hochul also said she would “pursue options to mandate vaccines for school employees or require weekly testing in the absence of vaccines.”[148]
  • Aug. 12, 2021: The New York State Education Department released school reopening guidance for the 2021-2022 academic year. The guidance included recommendations for mask usage, vaccine promotion, and physical distancing within classrooms.[149]
  • Aug. 5, 2021: New York State Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said school districts would have authority over school coronavirus guidance and requirements.[150]


North Carolina

North Carolina's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Feb. 24, 2022: Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vetoed a bill that would have banned school mask requirements.[151]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported sixteen in-person schooling disruptions in North Carolina.[152][153]
  • Aug. 30, 2021: Gov. Roy Cooper (D) signed an education bill related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, Senate Bill 654 allowed school districts to revert to remote learning in response to rising COVID-19 infections. The new law said districts must notify the Department of Public Instruction within 72 hours and return to in-person instruction following a quarantine period.[154]


North Dakota

North Dakota's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in North Dakota.[155][156]


Ohio

Ohio's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported seventeen in-person schooling disruptions in Ohio.[157][158]


Oklahoma

Oklahoma's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported sixty-three in-person schooling disruptions in Oklahoma.[159][160]
  • Sept. 1, 2021: ​​Oklahoma County District Court Judge Natalie Mai temporarily blocked the Oklahoma Department of Education from enforcing Senate Bill 658, which prohibited school mask requirements. Several Oklahoma parents and the Oklahoma State Medical Association sued to block enforcement of the law on Aug. 12.[161]


Oregon

Oregon's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 12, 2022: Statewide school mask requirements ended in California, Washington, and Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced the change on Feb. 28.[28]
  • February 28, 2022: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced their statewide school mask requirements would end on March 12.[28]
  • Feb. 24, 2022: The Oregon Health Authority announced it would end the statewide school mask requirement on March 19. It had initially said the requirement would end on March 31.[162]
  • Feb. 7, 2022: The Oregon Health Authority announced it would end the statewide school mask requirement on March 31.[163]
  • Jan. 28, 2022: The Oregon Health Authority issued a school mask requirement that did not have an expiration date. The Oregon Health Authority said it could rescind the rule when it determined it was no longer needed.[164]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported six in-person schooling disruptions in Oregon.[165][166]
  • Aug. 19, 2021: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that all teachers and staff in K-12 schools would be required to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Oct. 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval of a coronavirus vaccine.[167]
  • July 29, 2021: Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that masks would be required indoors at K-12 public schools in the state.[168]


Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Dec. 10, 2021: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the statewide school mask requirement, upholding a lower court’s ruling that acting Health Secretary Alison Beam lacked the authority to require masks in schools.[169]
  • Nov. 30, 2021: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court voted 5-1 to temporarily block a lower court ruling that would have ended the state’s school masking requirement on Dec. 4.[170]
  • Nov. 16, 2021: Cannon issued an additional ruling saying Pennsylvania's school mask requirement would expire Dec. 4 barring a successful appeal to the state supreme court.[171]
  • Nov. 10, 2021: Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon ruled that Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Health Department Alison Beam’s school mask requirement was issued without proper authority.[172]
  • Nov. 8, 2021: Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced he planned to return school mask requirement authority to local school officials on Jan. 17, 2022.[173]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported five in-person schooling disruptions in Pennsylvania.[174][175]
  • Aug. 31, 2021: Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced masks would be required in all public and private K-12 schools starting Sept. 7.[176]


Rhode Island

Rhode Island's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 4, 2022: Rhode Island's school mask requirement ended. Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced the change on Feb. 9.[177]
  • Feb. 9, 2022: Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced that, if the legislature votes to extend his emergency powers, he would end the school mask requirement on March 4.[177]
  • Dec. 13, 2021: Gov. Dan McKee (D) extended the state’s school mask requirement through Jan. 8, 2022.[178]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Rhode Island.[179][180]
  • Aug. 19, 2021: Gov. Dan McKee (D) issued an executive order requiring masks be worn in K-12 public schools.[181]


South Carolina

South Carolina's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 28, 2021: U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, who was appointed to the court by former President Barack Obama (D), ruled South Carolina could not enforce its school mask requirement ban because it prevented students with disabilities from attending public schools.[182]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported thirty-eight in-person schooling disruptions in South Carolina.[183][184]
  • Sept. 2, 2021: The South Carolina Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the state’s school mask requirement ban brought by the City of Columbia. In the opinion, the court found that the mask requirement ban, which was established in an amendment to the state’s budget, was related to budgetary concerns and therefore did not violate a South Carolina rule requiring state laws address a single primary subject.[185]
  • Aug. 26, 2021: The South Carolina Department of Education announced masks would be required on school buses, in accordance with CDC guidance, starting Aug. 30.[186]
  • April 26, 2021: Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a law requiring that districts offer full-time, in-person instruction five days a week for the 2021-2022 school year on April 22. The legislature passed the requirement on April 21.[187]


South Dakota

South Dakota's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in South Dakota.[188][189]


Tennessee

Tennessee's statewide guidance for schools as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Dec. 10, 2021: U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw blocked Tennessee's school mask requirement ban from being enforced.[190]
  • Oct. 30, 2021: The Tennessee General Assembly passed Senate Bill 9014, which limited when public schools can require students and staff to wear masks. If the bill were to become law, school boards could require masks for up to 14 days if the state were under a COVID-19 state of emergency, county COVID-19 cases had reached 1,000 for every 100,000 people, and the school’s principal asked for a mask mandate.[191]
  • Sept. 30, 2021: Gov. Bill Lee (R) extended an order allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates. Throughout the month of September, three separate federal judges blocked Lee’s order in Knox, Shelby, and Williamson counties in response to lawsuits that alleged the order violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery (R) said he would appeal two of the three lawsuits.[192]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported twenty-nine in-person schooling disruptions in Tennessee.[193][194]
  • Sept. 3, 2021: United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Judge Sheryl H. Lipman ruled in favor of two students who sued Gov. Bill Lee (R) after he issued an order allowing students to opt out of school mask mandates. Lipman ruled Lee’s order violated the students’ rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).[195]
  • Aug. 16, 2021: Gov. Bill Lee (R) issued an order allowing parents to send their children to school without masks in K-12 public schools that enacted mask requirements.[196]


Texas

Texas' statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Dec. 1, 2021: The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed a lower court's injunction on Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) school mask requirement ban, allowing the executive order to be enforced.[197]
  • Nov. 10, 2021: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Earl Yeakel blocked Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) July 29 executive order prohibiting mask requirements in K-12 public schools. Yeakel’s ruling meant that Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) could not sue school districts in violation of Abbott’s order.[198]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported seventy-eight in-person schooling disruptions in Texas.[199][200]
  • Aug. 15, 2021: The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked court orders in Dallas County and Bexar County that allowed school districts to disregard Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) executive order banning school mask requirements.[201]
  • Aug. 10, 2021: 57th District Court Judge Antonia Arteaga allowed officials in San Antonio and Bexar County to require masks in schools, temporarily overriding Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) order prohibiting mask mandates. Judge Arteaga paused enforcement of Abbott’s order until Aug. 16, when San Antonio and Bexar County officials were scheduled to return to court to argue for an extension.[202]


Utah

Utah's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported one in-person schooling disruption in Utah.[203][204]


Vermont

Vermont's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported two in-person schooling disruptions in Vermont.[205][206]


Virginia

Virginia's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 1, 2022: A law banning school mask requirements in Virginia took effect. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed the bill into law on Feb. 16.[207]
  • Feb. 16, 2022: Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed a bill into law that would ban school systems from enacting mask requirements. The bill was set to take effect March 1.[207]
  • Feb. 4, 2022: Arlington Circuit Court Judge Louise DiMatteo suspended the statewide school mask requirement ban.[208]
  • Jan. 15, 2022: Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) issued an executive order rescinding the state's school mask requirement and banning school mask requirements that do not allow for parents to opt out.[209]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported twenty-three in-person schooling disruptions in Virginia.[210][211]
  • July 21, 2021: The Virginia Department of Health and Education released guidance for the 2021-2022 school year. The K-12 mask mandate, which applied to both public and private schools, expired July 25, at which point local districts would decide their own mask policies. The guidance said schools should require elementary students to wear masks, but that middle and high schools should only require masks for unvaccinated students.[212]


Washington

Washington's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • March 12, 2022: Statewide school mask requirements ended in California, Washington, and Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced the change on Feb. 28.[28]
  • February 28, 2022: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) jointly announced their statewide school mask requirements would end on March 12.[28]
  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Washington.[213][214]
  • Aug. 18, 2021: Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced that all public and private K-12 educators, staff, and volunteers would be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18.[215]


West Virginia

West Virginia's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported seventeen in-person schooling disruptions in West Virginia.[216][217]


Wisconsin

Wisconsin's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported two in-person schooling disruptions in Wisconsin.[218][219]


Wyoming

Wyoming's statewide guidance for the 2021-2022 school year as of Aug. 6, 2021, can be found here.

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Wyoming.[220][221]


Education policies by state

To read about a state's education policies related to the coronavirus from 2019 through 2022, click one of the following links:

Conflicts in school board elections about responses to the coronavirus pandemic

See also: Conflicts in school board elections about responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2021-2023

Ballotpedia tracked school board elections where candidates took a stance on responses to the coronavirus, including mask requirements, vaccine requirements, and school re-opening or distance learning plans. Between 2021 and 2023, Ballotpedia had identified 1,399 school board elections where candidates took a stance on responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

The map below provides an overview of where these districts are located. Click here to learn more.


The spreadsheet below lists all school district elections identified by Ballotpedia where candidates took a stance on responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read more about Ballotpedia's methodology.


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. ↑ Centers for Disease Control, "Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools," accessed August 11, 2021
  2. ↑ U.S. News, "GOP Governors Double Down on Orders Barring Mask Mandates in Schools," Aug. 10, 2021
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 New Jersey Office of the Governor, "Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Instituting Vaccination or Testing Requirement for All Preschool to Grade 12 Personnel," August 23, 2021
  4. ↑ On Sept. 2, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Sept. 10.
  5. ↑ Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) ended the statewide school mask requirement on Feb. 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ On Sept. 13, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action for all schools. On Jan. 25, 2022, the ban was partially reinstated.
  7. ↑ Oct. 26, 2021 - School districts could be exempt from the school mask requirement if they followed CDC quarantine guidance
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Oct. 1 - Schools could become exempt from the school mask requirement when at least 80% of students were vaccinated
  10. ↑ On Nov. 10, 2021 the ban was suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Dec. 1.
  11. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  12. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  13. ↑ Alabama Department of Public Health, "Back to School Guidance," accessed August 4, 2021
  14. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  15. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  16. ↑ KGUN 9, "New Arizona bill makes it illegal to require masks for children without parental consent," April 27, 2022
  17. ↑ [https://ktar.com/story/4703221/judge-overturns-arizona-law-banning-face-mask-mandates-in-schools/ KTAR, "Judge strikes down Arizona law banning face mask mandates in schools," Sept. 27, 2021
  18. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  19. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Arizona Capitol Times, "Biden warns governors against prohibiting mask mandates," August 18, 2021 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "AZ816" defined multiple times with different content
  21. ↑ THV 11, "Judge: Arkansas's mask mandate law is unconstitutional," December 29, 2021
  22. ↑ WREG, "Arkansas Supreme Court blocks mask mandate ban," September 30, 2021
  23. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  24. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  25. ↑ KY3, "Arkansas lawmakers adjourn, leave mask mandate ban intact," August 6, 2021
  26. ↑ Associated Press, "Arkansas judge blocks state from enforcing mask mandate ban," August 6, 2021
  27. ↑ Arkansas Office of the Governor, "Governor Calls Extraordinary Session To Request Legislative Action on COVID and Unemployment," August 3, 2021
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 California Office of the Governor, "Governors Newsom, Brown and Inslee Announce Updated Health Guidance," February 28, 2022
  29. ↑ California Office of the Governor, "California Becomes First State in Nation to Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Schools," October 1, 2021
  30. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  31. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  32. ↑ California Office of the Governor, "California Implements First-in-the-Nation Measure to Encourage Teachers and School Staff to Get Vaccinated," August 11, 2021
  33. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  34. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Connecticut Office of the Governor, "Governor Lamont Announces Plan To Eliminate Statewide School Mask Requirement, Allow These Decisions To Be Determined at the Local Level," February 7, 2022
  36. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  37. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  38. ↑ Connecticut Office of the Governor, "Governor Lamont Announces State Employees, Childcare, and School Staff Will Be Required To Get Vaccinated for COVID-19," August 19, 2021
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 FOX 29, "Delaware's school mask mandate to end Tuesday, March 1," February 28, 2022
  40. ↑ Delaware Office of the Governor, "Governor Carney Announces Expiration of Universal Indoor Mask Mandate on February 11," February 7, 2022
  41. ↑ Delaware Office of the Governor, "Governor Carney, DOE, DHSS Formally Extend School Mask Requirement," December 13, 2021
  42. ↑ Delaware Office of the Governor, "Governor Carney Announces Extension of Emergency Mask Requirement in Schools," November 10, 2021
  43. ↑ Delaware Office of the Governor, "Governor Carney Announces Vaccine or Testing Requirement for Educators," September 28, 2021
  44. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  45. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  46. ↑ Delaware Office of the Governor, "Governor Carney Announces Mask Requirement in K-12 Schools, Child Care, State Facilities," August 10, 2021
  47. ↑ Holland & Knight, "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Bills Regarding Vaccine Mandates," November 18, 2021
  48. ↑ CBS News, "Florida Board of Education votes to withhold funds from school districts that enforce COVID-19 mask mandates," October 8, 2021
  49. ↑ CNN, "Florida governor says parents can send asymptomatic kids exposed to Covid-19 back to school," September 22, 2021
  50. ↑ Tallahassee Democrat, "Federal judge in South Florida refuses to block Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates," September 15, 2021
  51. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  52. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  53. ↑ NBC Miami, "Florida Judge Orders Immediate Lifting of DeSantis' Ban on School Mask Mandates," September 8, 2021
  54. ↑ Bradenton Herald, "Despite court decision, state withholds school board members’ pay from Broward," August 30, 2021
  55. ↑ NBC, "DeSantis' school mask mandate ban is unlawful, Florida judge rules," August 27, 2021
  56. ↑ The Hill, "Florida's largest school district mandates masks in defiance of DeSantis," August 19, 2021
  57. ↑ Fox News, "Florida Gov. DeSantis signs executive order making masks optional in schools," July 30, 2021
  58. ↑ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Kemp signs bill letting parents opt kids out of school mask mandates," March 29, 2022
  59. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  60. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  61. ↑ The New York Times, "Hawaii, the last state with an indoor mask mandate for public schools, will make masks optional.," July 13, 2022
  62. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  63. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  64. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  65. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  66. ↑ ABC News, "Illinois governor to end mask mandate for schools next week," February 25, 2022
  67. ↑ Illinois Policy, "ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT DENIES PRITZKER’S APPEAL OF SCHOOL MASK MANDATE DECISIONS, SCHOOLS MOVE TO MASK OPTIONAL FEB. 28," February 25, 2022
  68. ↑ ABC 7, "Illinois appellate court dismisses school mask mandate appeal from Governor JB Pritzker," February 18, 2022
  69. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Illinois School Mask Mandate Blocked by Judge's Ruling. Now What's Next?" February 5, 2022
  70. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  71. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  72. ↑ Illinois Office of the Governor, "Gov. Pritzker Extends Vaccine Deadline at Request of Hospital and School Leaders," September 3, 2021
  73. ↑ YouTube, "Gov. Pritzker announces mask mandate, school vaccine requirement," August 26, 2021
  74. ↑ MyWabashValley.com, "Governor announces masks will be required in all Illinois schools," August 4, 2021
  75. ↑ Rockford Register Star, "Illinois State Board of Education mandates return to in-person learning," July 9, 2021
  76. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  77. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  78. ↑ Indiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Holcomb Signs COVID-19 Executive Order," September 1, 2021
  79. ↑ Des Moines Register, "No mask mandates in Iowa schools, for now, court rules; exceptions could be made in future," May 16, 2022
  80. ↑ KCCI, "Court reverses injunction on mask mandate ban, muddying the waters for school districts," January 26, 2022
  81. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa school districts may continue mask mandates after judge grants preliminary injunction," October 8, 2021
  82. ↑ Des Moines Register, "A judge blocked Iowa's ban on mask mandates in schools. What does it mean and which schools brought masks back?" September 14, 2021
  83. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  84. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  85. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  86. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  87. ↑ WDRB, "Ky. lawmakers override Beshear's partial veto of bill lifting school mask mandate," September 9, 2021
  88. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  89. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  90. ↑ Fox 19, "‘I lost:’ Beshear rescinds school mask mandate after Supreme Court rules against him," August 23, 2021
  91. ↑ Kentucky Office of the Governor, "Health care, public health, school and business leaders support Governor’s executive order," August 10, 2021
  92. ↑ Kentucky Office of the Governor, "Gov. Beshear Announces K-12 School Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Delta Variant," July 26, 2021
  93. ↑ Daily Advertiser, "Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards dropping COVID vaccine requirement for school children," May 18, 2022
  94. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Extends COVID Public Health Emergency Order, Without Required Mitigation Measures," February 16, 2022
  95. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Rejects House Committee Action on COVID-19 Vaccine, Will Add It to Louisiana’s School Immunization Schedule," December 14, 2021
  96. ↑ Ruston Daily Leader, "House rejects school vaccine requirement," December 8, 2021
  97. ↑ Louisiana Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Lifts Louisiana’s Mask Mandate Statewide, Except for K-12 Schools," October 26, 2021
  98. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  99. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  100. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  101. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  102. ↑ 102.0 102.1 CBS Baltimore, "Legislative Panel Revokes Statewide School Mask Mandate, Sending Decision To Local Districts," February 25, 2022
  103. ↑ CBS Baltimore, "Panel OKs Rule Extending Mask Mandate In Maryland Schools For 180 Days," January 5, 2022
  104. ↑ WUSA 9, "Maryland Board of Education approves plan to lift school mask mandates, if certain metrics are met," December 7, 2021
  105. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  106. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  107. ↑ 107.0 107.1 The Center Square, "Massachusetts to lift school mask mandate Feb. 28," February 9, 2022
  108. ↑ Boston.com, "Massachusetts extends school mask mandate through February," January 10, 2022
  109. ↑ Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, "Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Riley Extends Mask Requirement in Schools," October 26, 2021
  110. ↑ Boston.com, "Here’s the first Massachusetts school allowed to lift its mask rules for vaccinated individuals," October 12, 2021
  111. ↑ Boston.com, "Massachusetts extends school mask mandate until at least Nov. 1," September 27, 2021
  112. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  113. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  114. ↑ Boston Herald, "Massachusetts education board approves school mask mandate until at least Oct. 1," August 24, 2021
  115. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  116. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  117. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  118. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  119. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  120. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  121. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  122. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  123. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  124. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  125. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  126. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  127. ↑ Associated Press, "Nevada governor rescinds mask mandate effective immediately," February 10, 2022
  128. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  129. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  130. ↑ Tahoe Daily Tribune, "Nevada governor backs off requiring masks for students in Douglas, other rural counties," August 5, 2021
  131. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  132. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  133. ↑ 133.0 133.1 YouTube, "Governor Murphy Holds COVID-19 Briefing," February 7, 2022
  134. ↑ News 12 New Jersey, "Gov. Murphy issues new public health emergency. Here are the powers it grants.," January 12, 2022
  135. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  136. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  137. ↑ New Jersey Office of the Governor, "Governor Murphy Announces Indoor Mask Requirement for Beginning of 2021-2022 School Year," August 6, 2021
  138. ↑ New Jersey Office of the Governor, "Governor Murphy Announces That Schools Will Be Required to Provide Full-Time, In-Person Instruction Beginning Fall 2021," accessed May 18, 2021
  139. ↑ New Mexico Office of the Governor, "New Mexico indoor mask mandate lifted," February 17, 2022
  140. ↑ KOB, "New Mexico extends indoor mask mandate through March 4," February 4, 2022
  141. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  142. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  143. ↑ 143.0 143.1 NBC New York, "NY Statewide School Mask Mandate Ends Wednesday," February 27, 2022
  144. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  145. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  146. ↑ New York Office of the Governor, "Governor Hochul Announces New Requirements and Guidance for the Safe Reopening of New York Schools," September 2, 2021
  147. ↑ PIX 11, "NY schools: Students and staff will be required to wear masks, health department says," August 27, 2021
  148. ↑ New York Office of the Governor, "On First Day in Office, Governor Hochul Announces Comprehensive Plan to Help Ensure a Safe, Productive Return to Schools This Fall," August 24, 2021
  149. ↑ SILive.com, "New York State releases reopening guidance for 2021-2022 school year," August 13, 2021
  150. ↑ New York Office of the Governor, "Statement from New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker," August 5, 2021
  151. ↑ North Carolina General Assembly, "Senate Bill 173," accessed February 28, 2022
  152. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  153. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  154. ↑ WBTV, "Gov. Cooper signs bill allowing N.C. schools to shift to remote learning if necessary due to a COVID-19 emergency," August 30, 2021
  155. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  156. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  157. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  158. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  159. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  160. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  161. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Oklahoma judge puts temporary hold on law banning mask mandates in schools," September 1, 2021
  162. ↑ Salem Reporter, "UPDATED: Oregon to lift indoor mask mandate March 19, including in schools," February 24, 2022
  163. ↑ Oregon Health Authority, "Oregon will lift indoor mask requirements no later than March 31," February 7, 2022
  164. ↑ KGW, "Oregon extends indoor mask requirement for K-12 schools as current rules expire," January 28, 2022
  165. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  166. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  167. ↑ Oregon Office of the Governor, "Governor Kate Brown Announces Two New Vaccination Measures To Address Hospital Crisis, Help Keep Students Safe," August 19, 2021
  168. ↑ OPB, "Oregon to require masks indoors for K-12 schools," July 29, 2021
  169. ↑ Beaumont Enterprise, "Pennsylvania high court throws out mask mandate for schools," December 10, 2021
  170. ↑ NBC Philadelphia, "Pa. Mask Mandate for K-12 Schools Remains for Now, Judge Rules," November 30, 2021
  171. ↑ WPXI, "Pennsylvania school mask mandate to be lifted Dec. 4," November 17, 2021
  172. ↑ El Paso Inc., "Pennsylvania court throws out governor's school mask mandate," November 10, 2021
  173. ↑ Governor of Pennsylvania, "Gov. Wolf: State Anticipates Returning K-12 School Mask Requirement to Local Leaders January 17, 2022," November 8, 2021
  174. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  175. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  176. ↑ Echo-Pilot, "Mask requirement starts Sept. 7 in Pennsylvania schools," September 1, 2021
  177. ↑ 177.0 177.1 NECN, "Rhode Island Gov. McKee Lifting Mask Mandate, Vaccination Requirements," February 9, 2022
  178. ↑ NECN, "Rhode Island Governor Extends Pandemic Executive Orders," December 13, 2021
  179. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  180. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  181. ↑ Rhode Island Office of the Governor, "EXECUTIVE ORDER 21-87," August 19, 2021
  182. ↑ The Sumter Item, "Federal judge overturns South Carolina school mask mandate ban," September 30, 2021
  183. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  184. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  185. ↑ The Post and Courier, "SC Supreme Court rejects Columbia’s COVID mask mandate in schools," September 2, 2021
  186. ↑ Fox Carolina, "SC Dept. of Ed. reinstates mask mandate on school buses," August 26, 2021
  187. ↑ Associated Press, "SC governor signs 5-day-a-week in-person class measure," accessed April 28, 2021
  188. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  189. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  190. ↑ The Tennesseean, "Federal judge blocks Tennessee's law preventing schools from issuing mask mandates," December 10, 2021
  191. ↑ U.S. News & World Report, "Schools Face Strict Hurdles for Mask Mandates Under New Bill," November 1, 2021
  192. ↑ FOX 17, "Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee extending school mask opt-out order, despite judge blockings," September 30, 2021
  193. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  194. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  195. ↑ The Hill, "Judge blocks Tenn. governor's order allowing students to opt out of mask mandates," September 3, 2021
  196. ↑ News Channel 5 Nashville, "Governor Lee signs order allowing parents to opt kids out of mask mandates; will not call special session," August 16, 2021
  197. ↑ Austin American-Statesman, "Appeals court blocks federal judge's ruling that allowed Texas schools to mandate masks," December 2, 2021
  198. ↑ NPR, "Federal judge allows Texas schools to require masks," November 10, 2021
  199. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  200. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  201. ↑ Politico, "Texas Supreme Court backs governor on mask mandates," August 15, 2021
  202. ↑ KSAT, "Judge delivers blow to Texas Gov. Abbott’s ban on mandates, allows San Antonio to require masks in schools," August 10, 2021
  203. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  204. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  205. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  206. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  207. ↑ 207.0 207.1 Associated Press, "Virginia adopts plan to end school mask mandates March 1," February 16, 2022
  208. ↑ Associated Press, "Judge halts VA governor’s opt-out school mask order, for now," February 4, 2022
  209. ↑ ABC News, "New Virginia governor signs executive order to end mask mandate in schools," January 17, 2022
  210. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  211. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  212. ↑ WSET, "Virginia's school mask mandate lifted; districts will decide own guidelines," July 21, 2021
  213. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  214. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  215. ↑ Jay Inslee on Medium, "Inslee announces educator vaccination requirement and statewide indoor mask mandate," August 18, 2021
  216. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  217. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  218. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  219. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  220. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  221. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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Articles by Type
Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
State responses to coronavirus
State paths to recovery
State school responses
Coronavirus debate topics
Coronavirus debate by state
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