Where does “The Roadmap” for School this fall take us?

Sharing from Mike Latvis, Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, Wayne RESA

The Governor released a 70-page guidance document (The Roadmap), a new Executive Order, information about a video the Governor filmed and a one-pager meant to be helpful for parents. 

There is a lot to unpack, so here are the high-level points:

• The Governor will mention that the goal is that schools are open
• Executive Order 65 (EO 65) that addresses days/hours, seat time, etc is extended through September 30th or until the legislature passes legislation addressing each for the remainder of the year – legal does not believe the Governor’s authority can extend past that date.
• The Governor will formally request State Superintendent Rice to request a waiver from US ED for all federal assessments  

District Plans

• Every public/nonpublic must develop a plan, informed by the roadmap, that determines their plans for learning under three scenarios dictated by the MI Safe Start Plan Phases. The plans must be approved by local school board and posted on the front page of the website. There will be a note encouraging transparency for parents. 
  • ISDs may be asked to compile plans and transmit them to MDE – still being worked out, but we can expect something like the COL submission
• District plans must be approved by August 15th or 7 days before the start of the school year (summer programs are not included in this – they fall under EO 65)
  • Schools cannot reopen without an approved plan
• MI Safe Start Plan Phased Scenarios
  • Phases 1,2 and 3 – full remote learning
    • Most basic parts of EO 65 continue
  • Phases 4 – In-Person learning with a mixture of non-negotiable mandates from the state and strong recommendations
    • Non-negotiable mandates largely focused on face coverings, no indoor assemblies of more than one class.
    • Facial coverings
      • Required to be worn at all times (outside of eating) for all staff and visitors (visitors are strongly discouraged)
      • Required for grades 6-12 – must be worn at all time outside of eating
      • K-5 – facial coverings or none if strict cohorting (same kids together all day) 
    • Allows for flexibility/local control as it relates to spacing students and class size
  • Phase 5 and 6
    • Includes extended flexibility
    • No non-negotiable mandates from the state, only strong recommendations

 
NOTE: Plans for phases 4 and 5/6 can be the same – their goal is that schools remain open. 

Positive Covid Test

• Districts/Schools must fully cooperate with local health departments. This is especially true when a positive case is identified, as the local health department will determine what should happen – close a classroom, quarantine, cleaning, contract tracing, etc.
• The Roadmap/EO lays out a strong process for what to do, but local health departments will make decisions

Transportation

• No capacity limits on buses, however, locals could make a different decision
• There will be guidance on cleaning procedures, windows open when possible, masks required

 Screening Procedures

• Temperature tests will not be required, though districts may choose to do so
• Staff will self-attest that they are asymptomatic every day
• Outside guests (including parents) are strongly discouraged
  • Must self-attest they are asymptomatic and wear face-covering at all times
• Local school boards can implement stricter screening procedures if they desire

 Athletics

• No prohibition on playing sports in Phases 4 or 5
• There are strict mandates related to hygiene, cleaning protocols, spectators (indoor/outdoor), and transportation (cleaning protocols/face coverings)
• MHSAA will provide guidance
• Governor will encourage considerations for changing the calendar to play certain sports in winter/spring instead of the fall

 Employee Safety Precautions

• Worker protection protocols under Executive Order 114 applies to schools 

 75%, Days/Hours, Assessments, 3rd Grade Reading, A-F

• There is still a lot of unanswered questions regarding what will happen here. Our hope is that we will be able to work with the legislature to get something done when they are in session later in July, but that is not a guarantee. Expect to be operating under EO 65 until we hear more.

Guest Writer: Mike Latvis, Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, Wayne RESA

Author: Wayne RESA - GSRP

Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally. These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.

Wayne RESA - GSRP

Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally.
These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.

Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.