February 19, 2021 3:30 a.m.

On Thursday, Governor Kate Brown said in recent weeks the number of students learning in-person has doubled to nearly 117,000.

Brown said eight weeks ago, she directed the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority to put more schools on track to return students to in-person instruction, with a focus on the youngest learners. Brown said the big increase is due to “…the incredible work of our superintendents, school board members, educators, parents, and community members”.

Brown said starting next month, even more school districts across Oregon will begin returning elementary students to the classroom for hybrid instruction. That will include Salem Keizer – the second largest district in the state – with over 17,000 elementary students. Brown said by the end of April, most elementary students in Oregon will be learning in classrooms again.

Brown’s release said now middle and high school students must get the same chance, so that all students can benefit from in-person instruction, regardless of where they live. Brown said it has been almost a year since most Oregon students have set foot in a classroom and they are suffering. She said the social, emotional, mental, physical and academic impacts of distance learning on students has been well documented.

The release said as districts implement the more than 160 health and safety protocols outlined in Oregon’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance, school buildings can reopen in a way that protects students, staff and Oregon communities.