Arizona schools will be closed through the end of the 2020 school year because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman made the announcement Monday following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a White House extension of physical distancing guidelines until April 30.
“Today’s announcement is intended to give parents and educators as much certainty as possible so they can plan and make decisions,” the statement from Ducey and Hoffman reads. “While this isn’t the outcome any of us wanted, we are grateful for the partnership of schools around the state, who have stepped up to offer virtual and take-home learning opportunities for our students. These efforts are crucial, and we recognize that schools are making every effort possible to continue providing instruction during closures. We also thank our legislative partners for passing legislation ensuring all educators and staff see no disruption in pay. Our number one priority will continue to be health and safety, and we will continue to work closely with public health officials to make the best decisions for kids, families, and our school communities.”
Last week, Ducey signed a bill into law that suspends statewide testing requirements, leaves school letter grades unaffected by the closure, and ensures school days are not extended into the summer. In addition, the bill guarantees teachers and staff will continue to be paid during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The announcement from Ducey and Hoffman applies to all Arizona district and charter schools. Private schools are required to align with federal guidance recommending closures through at least April 30.
