ED COVID-19 Handbook - Volume 1 - Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

ED COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 1, provides strategies to support safe reopening and continued operation of elementary and secondary schools. It reflects updated CDC guidance, including revised physical distancing recommendations of at least 3 feet in classrooms and clearer direction when greater distances (such as 6 feet) are recommended, while removing guidance for physical barriers. The handbook also outlines operational steps and safe practices spanning masking, distancing, cohorting/podding, transportation, symptom checks, hand hygiene, and guidance for music, arts, and athletics, with attention to family and community engagement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Summary of Recent Changes in April 2021

Summary of CDC Operational Strategies and Steps for Safe School Reopening

Safe Practices for In-Person Learning

Masking Practices

Physical Distancing Practices

Cohorting/Podding and Staffing Considerations for Physical Distancing

Transportation Considerations

Encouraging Families and Staff to Check for Symptoms at Home

Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

Safety Considerations Related to Music, Arts, and Athletics Programs

Supporting Ongoing Engagement with Educators, Families, and the School Community

CDC has recently updated its guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten and (K)-12 Schools and ED is working quickly to revise this Handbook accordingly OPEPD-IO-21-01 Volume 1 – 2021 ED COVID-19 HANDBOOK Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools U.S. Department of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona Secretary of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development Erin McHugh Acting Assistant Secretary Initially released in February 2021 ; updated April 2021 Summary of Recent Changes in April 2021 Update: • Revised physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms and provide clearer guidance when a greater distance (such as 6 feet) is recommended. • Removed recommendation for physical barriers. This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development , ED COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools, Washington, DC, 2021. This report is available on the Department’s website at [https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening.pdf](https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening.pdf). Availability of Alternate Formats On request, this publication is available in alternate formats, such as Braille or large print. For more information, please contact the Department’s Alternate Format Center at 202-260-0818 or via e-mail [at](at alternateformatcenter@ed.gov)[ alternateformatcenter@ed.gov](at alternateformatcenter@ed.gov). Notice to Limited English Proficient Persons If you have difficulty understanding English, you may request language assistance services for Department information that is available to the public. These language assistance services are available free of charge. If you need more information about interpretation or translation services, please call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)(TTY: 1-800-877-8339), email [us at](us at Ed.Language.Assistance@ed.gov)[ Ed.Language.Assistance@ed.gov](us at Ed.Language.Assistance@ed.gov), or write to U.S. Department of Education, Information Resource Center, 400 Maryland Ave. , SW, Washington, DC 20202. Contents Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 1 Summary of CDC Operational Strategies and Steps for Safe School Reopening....................... 2 Safe Practices for In-Person Learning ................................................................................................ 7 Masking Practices .............................................................................................................................. 8 Physical Distancing Practices ........................................................................................................ 10 Cohorting/Podding and Staffing Considerations for Physical Distancing ................................ 13 Transportation Considerations ....................................................................................................... 15 Encouraging Families and Staff to Check for Symptoms at Home .......................................... 16 Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette ...................................................................................... 17 Safety Considerations Related to Music, Arts, and Athletics Programs .................................. 18 Supporting Ongoing Engagement with Educators, Families, and the School Community ...21 Introduction President Biden committed to seeking the necessary resources to support the safe reopening and continued operation of schools. As stated in Executive Order 14000 , Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Chil

FAQs

What key guidance updates were made in April 2021?

The handbook revises physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms and provides clearer guidance when greater distance (such as 6 feet) is recommended. It also removes the recommendation for physical barriers.

Which prevention strategies does the handbook cover for in-person learning?

It includes masking practices, physical distancing practices, cohorting/podding and staffing considerations, symptom checks at home, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, and safety considerations for music, arts, and athletics programs.

How does the handbook address reopening with hybrid and in-person approaches?

It emphasizes returning to in-person learning as soon as possible while recognizing hybrid approaches that combine in-person and remote learning. It also stresses consistent implementation of effective prevention strategies across all school-related activities.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel