Color-coded coronavirus metrics based on case counts in a given community were set by the state education board and will be used to inform school reopening plans, indicating many communities should have remote or hybrid models.
The codes, outlined in a letter from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley to superintendents are based on a system of red, yellow, green and “unshaded” colors.
Communities in the red zone, those with average daily case counts of eight or more per 100,000 residents should have remote learning, according to the metrics.
Those in the yellow zone, with daily average counts of four to eight per 100,000 residents should operate on a hybrid or remote plan, while communities in the green with less than four cases per 100,000 can have an in-person or hybrid model.
The “unshaded” color code relates most to very small communities with fewer than five total cases over the past two weeks. Communities falling into that category can have in-person learning or hybrid.
Districts are expected to follow the color-coding guidelines for reopening unless there are “extenuating circumstances identified in consultation with local boards of health,” the letter from Riley said.
The metrics were released just two days before final reopening plans for every district in the state are due to be sent to DESE and shared with students and families.
Riley said districts may make immediate changes to the plans based on the metrics or wait for other data reports and “allow for further time for consultation before making these updates.”
He the metrics should serve as a guide to making initial reopening decisions but also for future decision-making if coronavirus conditions change over time.
In addition to the guidelines, districts should also monitor test positivity and take into consideration multiple weeks of data before making any decisions.
The metrics align with a color-coded state map of average daily case rates per 100,000 that was recently released and will be updated on a regular basis, according to Gov. Charlie Baker.
The map shows four communities in the red zone including Chelsea, Lynn, Revere and Everett.