TEA Relaxes COVID Closure Guidelines For Public Schools

The Texas Education Agency issued guidelines Thursday relaxing some of the requirements for in-person learning in Texas after some schools asked about going virtual out of fear of COVID-19 spread. The new procedures allow schools to transition to virtual learning if there are staffing shortages. The change also lets schools stay out virtual for up to 14 days if they have confirmed the building cases. That’s a change from the previous guidance of five days. Another change impacts whether public schools can go virtual the week after Thanksgiving, anticipating COVID-19 spread over the holiday. A school to go virtual for any reason not listed. However, they only get credit for half days.