SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Illinois State Board of Education unanimously voted Wednesday afternoon that all schools must resume fully in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.
The resolution states schools must resume fully in-person learning for all student attendance days and that remote instruction be made available for students who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and are under a quarantine order by a local public health department.
“I encourage school districts to use this as an indication of what the next school year most likely will look like if public health conditions remain favorable,” said Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala. “It’s necessary for us to transition toward a future in which we are no longer under a gubernatorial disaster proclamation and the pandemic-related remote learning statutes no longer apply.”
Some ISBE members expressed concern over the language, suggesting it didn’t provide enough guidance surrounding the nuances of remote learning.
Dr. Ayala said school districts still have the option to offer remote or hybrid learning next year, but they are no longer required to.
“In my weekly message column yesterday, I explained the flexibility that exists in other parts of the law for school districts to continue to provide remote learning to individual students if that best meets their learning needs.”
The ISBE resolution notes the state is expected to fully reopen under Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan on June 11, and anticipates new guidance for schools from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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