Reopening K-12 Schools in the Era of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Review of State-Level Guidance Addressing Equity Concerns

Abstract

Objective: To determine how state guidance documents address equity concerns in K-12 schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Study design: Using online searches, we collected state-level documents from all 50 states and the District of Columbia discussing reopening plans for K-12 schools in the 2020-2021 academic year. We examined whether these documents explicitly mentioned equity as a concern, as well as if and how they addressed the following equity issues: food insecurity and child nutrition, homelessness or temporary housing, lack of access to Internet/technology, students with disabilities or special needs, English-language learners, students involved with or on the verge of involvement with the Department of Children and Family Services or an equivalent agency, mental health support, students/staff at greater risk of severe illness from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and students/staff living with someone at greater risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results: Forty-four of 51 states (86%) explicitly mentioned equity as a concern or guiding principle. At least 90% of states offered guidance for 7 equity issues. Fewer than 75% of states addressed homelessness or temporary housing, students involved with or on the verge of involvement with Department of Children and Family Services or an equivalent agency, and students/staff living with someone at greater risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions: Wide variability exists in state-level guidance to help K-12 schools develop reopening plans that protect those who are most vulnerable to learning loss or reduced access to basic needs. Interpretation and implementation by local educational agencies will need to be assessed.

Keywords: COVID-19; equity; pandemic; schools; states.

Figure 1

States with planning documents that did not explicitly mention equity as a concern or guiding principle. Dark gray = did not explicitly mention equity; Light gray = did explicitly mention equity.

Figure 2

Factors that potentially affect a state's attention to equity: political affiliation, percent urbanization, Gini coefficient (a measure of income inequality), poverty rate, educational attainment, and overall health score (as defined by the United Health Foundation). A, Histogram comparing the distribution of equity issues addressed for states with Republican vs Democratic leaders (P = .11).B, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's percent urbanization (R² = 0.05).C, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's Gini coefficient (R² = 0.02).D, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's poverty rate (R² = 0.003).E, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and what percentage of a state's population holds a bachelor's degree or greater (R² = 0.01).F, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and state health score as defined by the United Health Foundation (R² = 0.01). This score was calculated using 35 measures representing 5 categories: behaviors, social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, and health outcomes. A score of 0 represents the health score of the US. No score was available for DC.

Figure 2

Factors that potentially affect a state's attention to equity: political affiliation, percent urbanization, Gini coefficient (a measure of income inequality), poverty rate, educational attainment, and overall health score (as defined by the United Health Foundation). A, Histogram comparing the distribution of equity issues addressed for states with Republican vs Democratic leaders (P = .11).B, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's percent urbanization (R² = 0.05).C, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's Gini coefficient (R² = 0.02).D, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and a state's poverty rate (R² = 0.003).E, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and what percentage of a state's population holds a bachelor's degree or greater (R² = 0.01).F, Linear regression comparing the number of equity issues addressed and state health score as defined by the United Health Foundation (R² = 0.01). This score was calculated using 35 measures representing 5 categories: behaviors, social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, and health outcomes. A score of 0 represents the health score of the US. No score was available for DC.