Gov. Wolf closes Pennsylvania schools for rest of academic year

Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday announced that all schools will stay closed for the rest of the academic year.

“We must continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus during this national crisis,” Wolf said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision, but closing schools until the end of the academic year is in the best interest of our students, school employees and families.”

The extended shutdown order affects more than 1.7 million students in public and private K-12 schools. It means children will spend the rest of the year learning remotely.

In order to keep as many Pennsylvanians as possible safe, schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

Special thank you to everyone who is doing their part to ensure our kids continue to learn and grow, even during these tough times. pic.twitter.com/2nv1MbXDA0

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 9, 2020

While buildings are shut down, public schools are still strongly encouraged to provide some continuity of education through distance learning, either via online or printed handouts. The state Department of Education is offering additional resources to help schools make the transition.

Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera said extending the closure to the end of the 2019-20 academic year will provide educators with more “predictability” at a time when information and protocols are constantly changing to fight the covid-19 pandemic.

“As schools and communities adapt to the prolonged school closure, PDE will continue to work with our state, educational and business and nonprofit partners to meet the needs of students,” Rivera said in a statement.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association expressed support for this newest measure, saying it would allow educators to make more “concrete plans.”

“Districts have found creative ways to provide a wide range of learning solutions with an almost non-existent ramp-up period, due to the speed at which the covid-19 pandemic took hold,” Chief Executive Officer Nathan Mains said in a statement. “We feel absolutely confident in their ability to come back in the fall with energy and preparedness for the new school year.”

Local district leaders weren’t surprised by the move to close for the rest of the year. Tim Scott, superintendent of Kiski Area School District, said he was glad to “commit” to this mitigation strategy.

Since beginning district learning in mid-March, the district put together a professional development task force in which teachers and administrators practice using a myriad of tech products for teaching. Scott feels prepared to take on the rest of the year.

“We’re doubling down on everything we’ve done and we feel great about it,” Scott said.

Thursday’s decision applies to all K-12 schools. Colleges and universities are also not permitted to reopen for face-to-face instruction until Wolf allows them or lifts restrictions on non-life-sustaining businesses.

Schools may begin their summer programming on the day after their academic calendars conclude. Additionally, Rivera said he has adjusted requirements for employee evaluation and student teaching that may not be possible with distance learning.

“By taking these actions, the department is providing flexibility in the near term, while signaling that core functions of public education can and will continue,” he said.

In the past, Rivera had encouraged schools to make their continuity efforts “in good faith,” despite concerns about adequately meeting the needs of students with special needs during the closure.

Nearly three weeks ago, Wolf extended the school closure “indefinitely,” while also expanding a stay-at-home order until at least April 30.

This story will be updated.