Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced schools in the state will be closed through April 30th. Originally, the plan released on March 15th, had been for classes to resume April 13th. During her Thursday afternoon daily press conference, Reynolds said “Keeping Iowa’s students out of classrooms is a very difficult decision, but it remains necessary for now. We anticipate the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa to continue to grow.

“Keeping schools closed for an extended amount of time will help protect the safety of our students, teachers and school staff, reduce the burden, flatten the curve on our health care system and work force, and of course reduce the risk to our most vulnerable Iowans, and ultimately save lives.”

Reynolds said at this time, she is NOT ordering schools to remain closed until the end of the school year. She said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo “has been working proactively with the Education Task Force to develop a plan that defines options for continuous learning programs., including non-credit and for-credit options. School Districts will be required to select the best option for the students and families they serve, and inform the State of their decision by April 10th.

“School Districts that choose not to provide continuous learning will be required to make up the instructional time lost beyond what has been waived by the Iowa Legislature.” Reynolds said “I also want to let school districts know, while we extended closures through April 30th, and we continue to evaluate information, I know that it’s also extremely important to you when you’re making your decisions, to give you at least a two-week’s notice and we will plan to do that as we move through this process.”

Director Lebo said “The recommendation to close schools through April 30th was not made lightly, and we know the challenges that puts on our schools and families.” Lebo said the two previously announced continuous learning options will remain in place. “Those options  which were based on recommendations from the Continuous Learning Task Force and take into account student needs and district resources include both a Voluntary Option and a Required Option.

“Under the Voluntary Option, schools can encourage students to participate but cannot require them to do so. Under the Required Option, students are required to participate, attendance is taken, work is graded and credit granted.” Lebo said also, “Under new guidance, all public districts and accredited non-public schools, are now required to indicate which method of continuous learning they will use, from April 13 through April 30th. They will have until April 10th to submit their decision.”

An expedited application process has been developed for any school that wants to implement a Required Continuous Learning Program. Lebo said “We encourage schools to work as quickly as possible on their plan, which may include the delivery of content through online learning, paper packets of assignment, or both. Accredited Non-Public Schools may decide to provide Required Educational services without applying to the Department for authority, but we ask that they indicate the decision to do so by the April 10th deadline.”

The applications will be available, soon. Educational resources for both families and educators is available on the Iowa Dept. of Education’s website, and include interactive games, virtual field trip, coding activities and E-Books.