Despite rising COVID-19 cases in Florida, state orders public schools to reopen in August!

July 7, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Monday ordered public schools to reopen in August and offer “the full panoply of services” to students and families.

As COVID-19 outbreaks spike in Florida, Corcoran’s mandate said that extending school closures can impede students’ educational success and prevent parents and guardians from returning to work.

“There is a need to open schools fully to ensure the quality and continuity of the educational process, the comprehensive well-being of students and families and a return to Florida hitting its full economic stride,” the order states.

Under the emergency order, all public schools will be required to reopen in August for at least five days a week and to provide the full array of services required by law, including in-person instruction and services for students with special needs.

“Required services must be provided to students from low-income families, students of migrant workers, students who are homeless, students with disabilities, students in foster care, students who are English-language learners, and other vulnerable populations,” the order says.

It’s unclear how the top-down order will affect Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ reopening plan, as the school district already aims to begin the new school year Aug. 24 in the schoolhouse for some students with mandated masks and social distancing.