Wisconsin’s Education Agency Issues Guidance for Reopening Schools

Wisconsin’s education agency issued guidance for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday. The Department of Public Instruction recommends smaller class sizes, alternating school-day schedules, and providing mental health support for students and staff.

In an 87-page document called “Education Forward: Safely and Successfully Reopening Wisconsin Schools,” the department outlines possible school schedules, learning environment considerations, and instructional models for flexibility.

“While I expect schools to reopen this fall, they will undoubtedly look different,” State Superintendent Carolyn Standford Taylor wrote in the document’s forward. “There will need to be social distancing, new cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and changes to how educators deliver instruction. There will be students who are not able to return to school due to health concerns and students and staff who may be quarantined due to exposure. This means every school district will need to plan for both school operations on campus and remote learning.”

DPI reminds schools to plan for change throughout the next school year and to be prepared to shift between in-person, physically distanced, and online learning. It also points out that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts Black, Native, and Hispanic/Latinx communities so schools should consider how they are addressing inequities for students of color and their families.

The department’s guidance is not a mandate but are recommendations for the 421 school districts, 26 independent charter schools, and 792 private schools in the state. The recommendations are divided into three sections based on when to take action:

  • Review: Review the recommended 2019-2020 school year closing actions
  • Prepare: Do before the 2020-2021 school year starts
  • Implement: Implement and review during the 2020-2021 school year.  

Some examples of infection control/mitigation recommendations include:

  • Creating small classroom groups
  • Staggering arrival and dismissal times
  • Rearranging student desks to maximize space between students
  • Bringing specialist teachers (music, art, physical education) to individual classrooms
  • Face masks/coverings are recommended for adults and students over age 2

Some examples of in-person class schedules:

  • Students in schools four days a week with Friday used to deep-clean
  • One group of students attend classes in-person one week and another group the following week
  • One group of students in schools Monday and Tuesday, cleaning on Wednesday and a different group of students on Thursday and Friday
  • Bringing elementary students back first and spreading them out across elementary and middle school buildings while secondary students continue with virtual learning.

Students will be provided with virtual learning materials to support them on days they are physically not in school.

DPI says they will continue to update the guide and provide additional resources as they become available.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

  • UT-Austin Breaks Ground on 17-Story Business School

    The University of Texas at Austin recently broke ground on a new, 17-story facility that will serve as the new home for the school’s McCombs School of Business, according to university news. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 10 for Mulva Hall, which will include amenities like classrooms, academic department suites, research centers, faculty offices, the dean’s office, and gathering spaces.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

Digital Edition