NGA Education - National Governors Association

This chart indicates actions that states have taken to reopen educational settings, including child care settings, camps and summer school programming, K-12 schools, and postsecondary institutions. Please note this chart displays an evolving analysis of reopening in the education sector and is not exhaustive of statewide actions. This list addresses statewide guidance does not address K-12 district or individual postsecondary institution guidance. State reopening actions will continue to be tracked and updated within this chart.

Suggested changes to this list should be directed to Jon Alfuth (jalfuth@nga.org).

tracker

Last Updated: 10/7/20 - See bottom of the table for a timeline of updates

10/7 Update: added Washington state's updated reopening guidance, updates to K-12 school reopening status from EdWeek

K-12 school status information drawn from https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/map-covid-19-schools-open-closed.html

State	State Reopening Plan (not K-12 specific)	Current Phase	Child Care	Youth Sports and Athletics	K-12 Schools	Postsecondary Institutions
Alabama	Reopen Alabama Responsibly Phase One Order of the State Health Officer	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance Alabama Child Care Guidance Public Health Order	Alabama Guidance for Adult and Youth Athletics	State leaving reopening to local discretion Alabama Safer at Home Order w/ School Mask Requirement Alabama Achieves: Roadmap to Reopening Schools Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	Public Health Order
Alaska	Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan	Phase 3/4	Open with guidance Child Care Advisory Document Child Care FAQ Document	Organized Sports Guidance Gyms, Fitness Centers, Sports and Recreational Facilities Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion Alaska Smart Start 2020 Framework
American Samoa	American Samoa Response and Action Plan	Code Blue (phase 1 of 3)	Open with guidance		Territory leaving reopening to local discretion
Arizona	Return Stronger		Open with guidance Executive Order on Child Care	Arizona Interscholastic Association Recommended Guidelines	State leaving reopening to local discretion Arizona Open for Learning Executive Order Roadmap for Reopening Schools AZCares: Flexibility and Funding for Schools and Families General Guidance on COVID-19 and Schools Webpage	Arizona Board of Regents Planning Principles
Arkansas	Arkansas Ready Timeline Phase 2 Business Guidelines	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance Guidance for Providers Child Care Guidance Webpage	Team Sports Directive	State requires at least some in-person instruction Arkansas Ready for Learning Updated Plan Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	A Proposal to Reopen Arkansas Higher Education Institutions
California	CA Resilience Roadmap	Stage 2 of 4	Open with guidance Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth California COIVD-19 Updated Guidance: Child Care		Local districts must abide by state-wide metrics established by the governor when deciding whether to reopen California Industry Guidance: Schools & School-Based Programs Guidebook for Reopening Schools
Colorado	Safer at Home	Level 2	Open with guidance Safer at Home: Child Care Facilities		State leaving reopening to local discretion Reopening Schools Guidance Planning for 2020-21 DRAFT	Colorado Planning for a Return to Campus During COVID-19 Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education Safer at Home: Higher Education
Connecticut	Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group Announcement Phased-In Approach to Reopening Connecticut's Economy Presentation	Level 2 of 4	Open with guidance Executive Order 7VV	Connecticut Sports and Fitness Center Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut's Plan to Learn and Grow Together Supplement to Connecticut's Plan to Learn and Grow Together	Report of the Higher Education Subcommittee, Reopen Connecticut
Delaware	Delaware's Reopening - Phase 1 Delaware's Reopening - Phase 2	Phase 2	Open with guidance Delaware Phase 2 Child Care Guidance	Delaware Play Safely Guidance for Youth Sports	State requiring at least some remote learning Delaware Returning to School Guidance Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force Delaware School Reopening Working Group
District of Columbia	ReOpen DC Guidance	Phase 2	Open with guidance DC Child Care Guidance		State requiring remote learning until local conditions improve DC Health Guidance for Schools	HELC COVID Reopening Guidance for Colleges and Universities
Florida	Report to Governor DeSantis from the Re-Open Florida Task Force	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance Guidance for Child Care Providers		State requires at least some in-person instruction Reopening Florida's Schools and the CARES Act Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	Florida Board of Trustees Draft Blueprint for Reopening
Georgia		Phase 1	Open with guidance Interim Child Care Guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force Georgia's K-12 Restart and Recovery Plan
Guam	Guam Reopening Plan	Pandemic Condition of Readiness Level 2	Open with guidance		Territory has announced schools are closed until further notice Guam COVID-19 K-12 Education Page
Hawai'i	Beyond Recovery: Reopening Hawai`i Slide Show Beyond Recovery: Reopening Hawai'i Detailed Plan	Phase 2 of 4	Open with guidance Hawai'i Guidelines for Child Care Facilities		Schools reopened statewide, but in some areas are limited to teaching only remotely while others can teach in-person Hawai'i Return to Learn School Reopening Plan	University of Hawai'i COVID-19 Interim Guidelines
Idaho	Rebound Idaho Plan with Stages Idaho Rebounds Plan PDF Idaho Stage 4 Stay Healthy Guidelines	Stage 4 of 4	Open with guidance Idaho Department of Health & Welfare Child Care FAQs		State leaving reopening to local discretion Idaho's Back to School Framework Idaho State Board of Education School District and Charter School Re-Entry Criteria Idaho COVID-19 Guidance for Schools K-12 Emergency Reopening Task Force Members
Illinois	Restore Illinois Announcement Restore Illinois Plan	Phase 4 of 5	Open with guidance Restore Illinois Licensed Day Care Guidance	Illinois Phase 4 Youth and Recreational Sports Guidelines	State leaving reopening to local discretion Starting the 2020-21 School Year - Transition Joint Guidance	Illinois Board of Higher Education Guidance Illinois Community College Board Guidance
Indiana	Back on Track Indiana Five-Stage Plan	Stage 4 of 5	Open with guidance Indiana Child Care Guidance	Executive Order 20-28 (includes sports)	State leaving reopening to local discretion Indiana's Considerations for Learning and Safe Schools Indiana School Age Program Guidance COVID-19 Resources for Indiana Schools
Iowa			Open with guidance Child Care Guidance for Providers	Summer Sports Guidance 6/25 Public Health Proclamation (includes athletics)	State requires at least some in-person instruction Iowa's Return to Learn Guidance Iowa's Return to Learn Guidance Support Document
Kansas	Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen Kansas	Recommended Phase 3 of 4 (at discretion of local officials)	Open with guidance Interim Guidance for Child Care Facilities	Kansas Recreation and Park Association Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion Executive Order	Executive Order
Kentucky	Healthy at Work: How We Reopen Our Economy	Phase 2	Open with guidance Division of Child Care Guidelines	Guidance for Youth Sports and Athletic Activities	State leaving reopening to local discretion Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky K-12 Schools Initial Reopening Guidance for Schools and Districts Considerations for Reopening Schools - Food Service Options Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force
Louisiana	Open Safely LA	Phase 2	Open with guidance Office of Public Health Child Care Guidelines Guidance for Child Care, Early Learnign Centers, Summer School and Extra Curricular Activities Child Care FAQ Document		State leaving reopening to local discretion Strong Start 2020: School Reopening Guidelines and Resources Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	Institutions of Higher Education Restart Louisiana
Maine	Restarting Maine's Economy	Stage 2 of 3 (certain counties participating in Rural Reopening Plan)	Open with guidance Maine Child Care Guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Framework for Return to Classroom Instruction	Framework for Reopening Maine's Colleges and Institutions
Maryland	Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery	Stage 2	Open with guidance Maryland Together: Maryland's Recovery Plan for Child Care DRAFT	Best Practices on Youth Sports	State leaving reopening to local discretion Maryland Together: Maryland Recovery Plan for Education DRAFT Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force
Massachusetts	Reopening Massachusetts	Phase 3 of 4	Open with guidance Massachusetts Child and Youth Serving Programs Reopen Approach Child Care Executive Order		State leaving reopening to local discretion Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance COVID-19 Resource Landing Page
Michigan	Michigan Safe Start Phased Plan	Two northern regions in Phase 5 of 6, six other regions in Phase 4 of 6	Open with guidance Michigan EO 2020-164 regarding masks in child care facilities Executive Order 2020-117	Michigan High School Athletics Association Guidance Executive Order 2020-120 (includes sports)	State leaving reopening to local discretion Executive Order Requiring Masks for All K-12 Grades MI Safe Schools: Return to School Roadmap Executive Order	In-person instruction in Phase 5
Minnesota	Stay Safe MN	Phase 3 of 4	Open with guidance Executive Order	Sports Guidance for Youth and Adults	State leaving reopening to local discretion Minnesota Safe Learning Plan for 2020-21 Minnesota 2020-21 School Year Planning Guidance Minnesota Department of Health 2020-21 Planning Guide for Schools
Mississippi		Phase 2	Open with guidance Child Care Guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Mississippi Guidance for 2020-21 School Year Consideratios for Reopening Mississippi Schools Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	Executive Order
Missouri	"Show Me Strong" Recovery Plan	Phase 2	Open with guidance Executive Order		State leaving reopening to local discretion Missouri School Reopening Guidance
Montana	Guidance for Phased Reopening of Montana: Phase Two Governor's Directive for Phase Two	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Governor's Education Outbreak Response Protocols Governor's Plan for Reopening Safe and Healthy Schools for Montana Reopening Montana Schools Guidance	Montana University System Planning Guidelines for Campuses
Nebraska		All counties in at least phase 3	Open with guidance May 1 Governor's Guidance	Nebraska Statewide Sports Reopening Guidelines Nebraska Youth Camps Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion Teaching and Learning in the 2020-21 School Year Launch Nebraska Education Guidance	University of Nebraska Higher Education Pandemic Recovery Guide
Nevada	Nevada United Roadmap To Recovery (Phased Plan)	Phase 2 of 4	Open with guidance Child Care Guidance	Organized Youth Sports Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion Nevada Department of Education Path Forward Plan Directive 28 Declaration of Emergency Guidance for Path Forward Programs of Distance Education
New Hampshire	Stay at Home 2.0	Phase 2	Open with guidance Stay At Home Child Care Guidance	Amateur and Youth Sports Guidance	State leaving reopening to local discretion New Hampshire Grades K-12 Back-to-School Guidance	Postsecondary Education Task Force Report
New Jersey	The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health through Public Health Governor's Multi-Stage Approach Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission	Stage 2 (4 stages total)	Open with guidance Executive Order 149	Executive Order 149 (includes sports)	State leaving reopening to local discretion New Jersey Department of Education: The Road Back	Restart Standards for All New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education Executive Order 155 on Higher Education
New Mexico	All Together New Mexico	Phase 2	Open with guidance Guidance	High school contact sports are postponed for this fall	State Ordered Regional Closure in effect New Mexico Public Education Department Reentry Guidance
New York	Phased Plan to Reopen New York	Phase 4	Open with guidance Child Care and Day Camp Programs Guidelines	New York Decision to Delay Fall Sports Start Date Sports and Recreation Guidelines	State leaving reopening to local discretion New York State Education Department Reopening Guidance Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction in K-12 Schools New York Framework Reopening Guidance Press Release	New York Higher Education Reopening Checklist New York Interim Higher Education COVID-19 Guidance
North Carolina	Path Forward for North Carolina	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance	Interim Guidance for Administrators and Participants in Youth, College, and Amateur Sports Programs	State requiring at least some remote learning StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force Lighting Our Way Forward: Guidebook for Reopening Schools
North Dakota	North Dakota Smart Restart Plan		Open with guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion North Dakota K-12 Smart Restart, Fall 2020
Northern Mariana Islands	Community Focused Economic Recovery Plan	Community Vulnerability Level Blue	Open with guidance		Territory has announced schools are closed until further notice
Ohio	Responsible Restart Ohio	Phase 1	Open with guidance Guidance	Health Director Order on Non-Contact Sports	State leaving reopening to local discretion COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio K-12 Schools	Responsible Restart Ohio: Institutions of Higher Education
Oklahoma	Open-Up and Recover Safely	Phase 3	Open with guidance Guidance for Oklahoma Child Care		State leaving reopening to local discretion Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force FAQ for Oklahoma Public Schools
Oregon	Reopening Oregon Governor Executive Orders	Phase 2 of 3	Open with guidance Open with restrictions under Executive Order 20-19 Guidance for Child Care Operations	Phase 2 Recreational Sports Guidance Phase 2 Pool and Sports Court Guidance	State Ordered Regional Closure in effect Oregon School Reopening Metrics Ready Schools, Safe Learners: Guidance for School Year 2020-21 Oregon Department of Education COVID-19 Resources Healthy Schools Reopening Council Announcement	Executive Order 20-09
Pennsylvania	Phased Plan for Reopening	Green or Yellow Phase (within Phase 2 of Reopening) depending on the county	Open with guidance	July 9 Update on Summer Camps, Recreation and Pools Guidance on All Sports	State leaving reopening to local discretion School Emergency Planning Resources Preliminary School Reopening Guidance	Preliminary Guidance for Resuming In-Person Instruction
Puerto Rico			Open with guidance		State requiring remote learning until local conditions improve Puerto Rico's Reopening Plan
Rhode Island	Reopening RI: Charting the Course	Phase 3 of 3	Open with guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Rhode Island Back to School Safety Guidance
South Carolina	AccelerateSC Final Report and Recommendations		Open with guidance Guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion South Carolina AcceleratED Task Force AccelerateED Task Force - Fall Recommendations Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force
South Dakota	Back to Normal Plan		Open with guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion South Dakota Start Well Guidance South Dakota Start Well Landing Page
Tennessee	Economic Recovery Group Announcement Phased Reopening Announcement		Open with guidance Guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force Reopening Schools Guide & Toolkits for Districts State taskforce	Higher Ed Guidance
Texas	Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas	Phase 3 of 3	Open with guidance Emergency Child Care Rules Executive Order	Executive Order GA-23 (includes sports)	State requires at least some in-person instruction SY 20-21 Public Health Planning Guidance - Texas Education Agency Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force
Utah	Utah Leads Together Detailed Phased Guidelines Utah's Health Guidance System	Counties and Cities in Various Stages of Reopening (see health guidance)	Open with guidance		State leaving reopening to local discretion Utah Department of Health School Reopening Guidelines Utah State Board of Education Planning Requirements and Recommendations for K-12 School Reopening	Detailed Phased Guidelines
Vermont	Work Smart & Stay Safe Restart VT: Phase I Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force: Restart VT Team	Phase 2	Open with guidance Health Guidance for Childcare, Afterschool, and Summer Programs	Additions to "Be Smart, Stay Safe" Order	State leaving reopening to local discretion A Strong And Healthy Start: Guidance for Reopening Schools	Safe and Healthy Return to Campus: Mandatory State Guidance for College and University Campus Learning
Virgin Islands	Pathway to a New Normal	"Open Doors" Phase; Phase 4 of 5	Open with guidance		Territory allows in-person instruction, delayed start date Virgin Islands Guide to Safely Reopen Public Schools
Virginia	Forward Virginia: Blueprint for Easing Public Health Restrictions	Phase 3 of 3	Open with guidance Phase 2 Child Care and Summer Camp Guidelines	Phase Guidance for Virginia Schools	State leaving reopening to local discretion Recover, Redesign, Restart Guidance Phased Guidance for Virginia's Schools School Reopening Home Page Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force State taskforce	Higher Education Reopening Guidance
Washington	Safe Start Pan and Guidance	Phase 1, 2, or 3 (of 4) depending on the county	Open with guidance Guidance for Child Care, Youth Development, and Summer Day Camps		State leaving reopening to local discretion Washington School Reopening Decision Tree Document K-12 Schools Fall 2020-21 Guidance Reopening Washington Schools 2020: District Planning Guide Proclamation on Phased Reopening of K-12 Schools	Washington Higher Educatio Re-Opening Workgroup: Campus Reopening Guide Phase 1 Higher Ed and Workforce Guidance Phase 2 Higher Ed and Workforce Guidance
West Virginia	West Virginia Strong		Open with guidance		State Ordered Regional Closure in effect West Virginia School Reopening GUidance Page West Virginia School Reentry Metrics Department of Education School System Re-Entry and Recovery Guidance Re-entry Toolkit Southern Regional Education Board K-12 Recovery Task Force	Guidance
Wisconsin	Badger Bounce Back	NA	Open with guidance Best Practices for DCF regulated Group, Family, and School-Age Child Care Providers	Wisconsin Guidance for Summer Activities Guidance for Licensed Day Camps for Children	State leaving reopening to local discretion Education Forward: Safely and Successfully Reopening Wisconsin Schools	UW System Guidance
Wyoming	A Transition Plan for a Healthy Wyoming		Open with guidance Sixth Continuation Executive Order		State leaving reopening to local discretion Wyoming Smart Start Guidance for Schools Sixth Continuation Executive Order Wyoming Department of Education Guidance for Educational Institutions Adapted Learning Plans, Health Orders, and Re-Openings Guidance	Sixth Continuation Executive Order

Reopening Tracker Updates

10/7 Update: added Washington state's updated reopening guidance, updates to K-12 school reopening status from EdWeek
9/30 Update: added Michigan's recent executive order on mask wearing in schools
9/14 Update: added Montana's updated K-12 reopening document
9/8 Update: added K-12 state status for schools
8/26 Update: added new child care guidance for California
8/24 Update: updates to K-12 for AR
8/21 Update: updates to K12 for AL, AZ, CA, CT, MN, MS, PA, UT, WA, WV; child care for MI. Updated some phases of reopenings, removed summer school column
7/30 Update: Added Nevada's most recent declaration of emergency regarding K-12 education
7/28 Update: Added Massachusetts' and South Dakota's K-12 landing page
7/23 Update: Updated Connecticut and Colorado's K-12 guidance
7/20 Update: Added K-12 guidance for New York, Maine, Nebraska, Virgin Islands. Added sports updates for New York.
7/16 Update: Added K-12 guidance for Delaware
7/15 Update: Added K-12 guidance for New York, North Dakota and New Hampshire. Added Higher Education guidance for Colorado. Updated North Carolina's K-12 guidance.
7/13 Update: Added K-12 guidance for Missouri, New Mexico, South Dakota. Reopening websites for Delaware and Hawai'i. K-12 reopening website for New York.
7/10 Update: Added higher education guidance for Ohio, K-12 guidance for Idaho, summer camp updates for Pennsylvania, and sports and athletics updates for New Mexico
7/9 Update: Added various guidance documents for Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and New Hampshire, updated dead links
7/8 Update: Added K-12 guidance for Texas, higher education guidance for Vermont and Hawai'i
7/6 Update: Added K-12 guidance for Montana, Ohio, and Wyoming. Added Higher Education Guidance for Louisiana
6/30 Update: Added K-12 guidance for Utah
6/29 Update: Added Alabama K-12 reopening plan, New Jersey K-12 reopening plan, Iowa proclamation including athletics, as well as additional links in Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawai'i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky
6/26 Update: Added: Connecticut K-12 reopening guidance; Colorado higher ed guidance; Indiana K-12 guidance; Iowa K-12 guidance; Louisiana K-12, child care and extracurricular guidance; Massachusetts K-12 guidance; Nevada distance learning guidance; Texas emergency child care guidance; and Virginia K-12 reopening plan