Legislation allows for flexibility and informed decisions as school year approaches

State Rep. Douglas Wozniak, of Shelby Township, today helped advance a proposal ensuring the safety of Michigan students as learning resumes in the fall.

The House-Senate plan empowers local school districts and health departments to work together to develop health and safety standards that are best for their unique areas. This may include the choice for continued distance learning or in-person education, depending on what a district feels is best.

“Every school district should have a plan that is tailored to their area, because COVID-19 has impacted different areas of Michigan in a different fashion,” Wozniak said. “We’re requiring school districts to work with their local health departments to preserve local control instead of going with a one-size-fits-all approach at the state level. This will be the most effective way forward.”

The Return to Learn plan also:

• Redefines the word “attendance” to mean “engaged in instruction” rather than “physically present,” allowing schools to be innovative and give students the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.
• Limits the use of snow days to encourage the use of remote instruction when in-person instruction is unsafe or unsuitable. Moving forward, schools would be granted just two forgiven days of instruction per year.
• Utilizes benchmark assessments to provide detailed information to parents and teachers about where a student needs additional help, ensuring kids do not fall behind in the wake of the public health crisis.
• Requires school districts to work with local health departments to establish safety requirements for extracurricular activities and sports in addition to regular school safety measures.