Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order demanding schools to resume in-person learning by March 15 during a press conference Wednesday.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Getting kids back in the classroom is one of the most important things we can do as we see #COVID19 cases drop and vaccinations underway. 1/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
Ducey’s office released a statement citing data from the CDC, indicating that 12 out of 15 Arizona counties are safely able to reopen schools. "Arizona’s students need to be back in the classroom. More than half of Arizona’s schools are open and offering in-person options," said Governor Ducey in a statement. "The science is clear: it’s time all kids have the option to return to school so they can get back on track and we can close the achievement gap."
A majority of Arizona public schools are already open, and school leaders have demonstrated in-person instruction is possible to do safely. 2/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
"The CDC and numerous health officials have said time and time again that schools are safe and kids can go back to the classroom. We prioritized teachers in our vaccine distribution, and many have already received their second dose," added Governor Ducey.
The @CDCgov has laid out a path for every school to open safely. Public health experts nationally have spoken about the importance of getting kids back in school. 3/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
In the press release, the Arizona Governor gave the option for parents to opt-out of allowing their children to resume in-person learning.
In Arizona, teachers have been prioritized for the vaccine, and many school districts are reporting that nearly all of their educators have received both doses. 4/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
"However, CDC is clear that there is a safe pathway for all schools to open at any transmission level, and to stay open if they implement proper mitigation strategies," said Gov. Ducey. "A student may continue participating in virtual instruction if their parent or guardian chooses so."
Today, I’m issuing a new Executive Order. It requires public schools to get back to teacher-led, in-person instruction by March 15, or after Spring Break. 5/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
According to Fox 10, Arizona educators have mixed reactions about the executive order requiring classroom learning to resume. "It is not one size fits all," said Del Palacio President of the Tolleson Unified High School District Governing Board.
"Arizona is extremely diverse, many different demographics that have higher spikes of COVID or spread than others. So, a one size approach is counter-productive," Palacio continued.
The President of the Arizona Education Association, Joe Thomas, says mandating every district to return to in-person immediately after spring break could lead to another wave of COVID-19 infections. "We have a lot of people that are working on this issue, the education of our students at the student level, and our fear is that these decisions are going to be made by people who don’t really understand what’s going on."
Despite educators being hesitant of the executive order, many teachers expressed enthusiasm. "We are excited to see their kids and their faces," said Jeff Gregorich, Hayden-Winkleman School District Superintendent.
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