COVID-19 Information
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that has impacted many countries around the world. The Board has taken several actions relating to COVID-19.
The Board adopted temporary rules of operation for its
virtual meetings to allow the Board to conduct its essential business while
complying with the various recommendations, guidelines, and orders issued by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor David Y. Ige, and
the mayors of each county to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Board Adopts School Opening Resolution
On July 15, 2021, the Board of Education ("Board") approved a resolution "to provide "big picture" guidance to the Department of Education ("Department") of its expectations for the reopening of public schools in the 2021-2022 school year;" The resolution focuses on four issues: (1) encouraging vaccination, (2) communication with families on school safety measures, (3) distance learning options, (4) continuing the designation of the Hawaii State Department of Health as the authority for advice and guidance on all COVID-19 related health matters. The resolution is available here: 2021-2022 school opening resolution
Board Adopts School Reopening Resolution
On June 18, 2020, the Board of Education ("Board") approved a resolution "Directing the Department of Education to prepare for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year amid the global COVID-19 pandemic; urging school communities to give hope, act with kindness, and work toward togetherness; and authorizing Board Members to represent the Board of Education in mid-term bargaining of collective bargaining agreements." The resolution provides guidance concerning what the Board expects to see regarding the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. The resolution is available here: http://boe.hawaii.gov/Documents/2020%20School%20Reopening%20Resolution%20(executed).pdf
Board Adopts Summer School Resolution
On May 21, 2020, the Board of Education ("Board") approved a resolution "Directing the Department of Education to offer summer school in a way that supports students disproportionately impacted by school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure clear coordination between each level of the tri-level system, and to communicate data and information timely and effectively with the public." The resolution provides guidance concerning what the Board expects to see regarding summer school this year. The resolution is available here: http://boe.hawaii.gov/Documents/2020%20Summer%20School%20Resolution%20(executed).pdf
Board Waives Graduation Requirements for Department and Charter Schools
On April 2, 2020, the Board of Education approved the Hawaii Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission's request to waive the credit requirements of Board Policy 102-5, High School Graduation Requirements and Commencement for the 2019-2020 school year, due to the impact of COVID-19 on schools. This waiver will apply to Department schools and charter schools. The Department will be providing guidance to high schools on how to apply this waiver. The same guidance will largely apply to charter schools, with a few exceptions. All Department school waivers are subject to Superintendent Christina Kishimoto's approval. Charter schools should work with the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission Office to ensure the Department's guidance accommodates each charter school's uniqueness. (April 7, 2020) UPDATE: Department guidance is available here: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Emergencies/HIDOEGuidanceLongTermSchoolClosure.pdf
Board Waives Standardized Testing Requirements
The United State Department of Education invited all states to submit waivers to request the cancellation of federally required statewide standardized assessments under the Every Student Succeeds Act ("ESSA"), due to the impact of COVID-19 on schools. On April 2, 2020, the Board of Education approved the Hawaii Department of Education's request to submit the waiver. The U.S. Department of Education approved the Hawaii Department of Education's waiver. For the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, the following federally mandated assessments will be cancelled: Smarter Balanced Assessments for English language arts/literacy and mathematics, Hawaii State Science Assessments and Biology 1 end of course exams; Hawaii State Alternate Assessments; and the Kaiapuni Assessment Educational Outcomes (KĀʻEO). (April 7, 2020)
More COVID-19 Resources
