SACRAMENTO – (INT) – An agreement was reached Wednesday agreement between teachers, classified employees, school boards, superintendents, and principals to work together to provide distance learning to California’s students as a result of school closures due to mitigation efforts against the COVID-19 outbreak.

The agreement means more kids will be able to get school resources, such as quality distance instruction, and empowers teachers to create lessons within clear parameters.

Earlier, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said it now appears students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year.

“This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year, but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning,” Thurmond said in a statement Tuesday.

“We have guidance coming out to address the concerns of our seniors, and even our juniors, in regards to grading and graduation requirements. We also put out a survey to all districts in the state to determine their technology gaps and are now working to ensure that all students have access to devices and internet if they need it for their distance learning requirements,” he said.

“We are in unprecedented times, and it’s hard to tell what the future holds as we are all doing our best to flatten the curve. it will be best if our schools are prepared by having their distance learning models functioning until the end of the school year.”

San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre is urging quality education services through the remainder of the school year, with a focus on the delivery of instruction through distance learning and providing school meals to students.

Story Date: April 16, 2020