This is how PA is doing it. They created 3 tiers based on level of community spread (over 7 days) and each county is in one of the 3 tiers:
- LOW: Full in-person schooling is possible for the counties in the low tier.
- MODERATE: Blended schooling, described as a hybrid mix of in-person and virtual learning, is possible for schools in the moderate tier.
- SUBSTANTIAL: All-virtual schooling is recommended for districts in the substantial tier.
Here is how the state determines the tiers:
- LOW: Incidence rates per 100,000 residents of less than 10 AND positivity test rates of less than 5%
- MODERATE: Incidence rates per 100,000 residents of less than 100 OR positivity test rates between 5% and 10%
- SUBSTANTIAL: Incidence rates per 100,000 residents of more than 100 OR positivity test rates of more than 10%
The state is just listing this as a guideline but the school districts ultimately make the call. My district falls in the MODERATE category since our percent positive is under 5% but our positives come in a little under 40 which keeps us out of LOW. My district has elected to go virtual vs doing the hybrid model, in our case it was the parent‘s choice. I think physical school had a shot to work, but after seeing the plan for how the virtual system will work I’m pretty encouraged.
I have no idea what NJ’s requirements are. I know a bunch of people I work with who live closer the the Philly part of the state have the option and most have opted for virtual for various reasons.