CPS slides under needed case metric for hybrid learning

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools’ new case metric fell below 50 on Monday, based on the district's COVID-19 guidance this could mean a transition in its learning method.

According to the district's data tracker, it recorded 49.2 per 10,000 people. That number is significant because the district uses it to decide which style of class it will use. 

If the number is under 50 it could help trigger the district to transition to a hybrid learning method, but it’s not the only deciding factor of what happens next. 

CPS will look at other guidelines to help make that decision such as the overall 14-day case rate, 14-day case rate among children ages three through 11, the community positivity rate and the number of staff members available to support re-entry.

The district showed what a four-phased approach would look like during the school board meeting last Monday. 

Phase 1 would bring back Pre K through first graders, Phase 2 second and third graders back, fourth and fifth graders in Phase 3 and the fourth and final phase middle school and high school students back into the buildings.

As of Monday when students would begin hybrid-learning or what that timeline would look like is still unknown, but according to CPS data the school district says if the number is between 10 and 49, students will go to class twice a week.

Mary Earnhart, a CPS parent believes the phased in approach is a positive and healthy method and she is excited about what this means for her son moving forward. 

“I think it's probably a healthier approach for the kiddos,” Earnhart said. “That way the youngest are getting used to it quicker. The older ones are a little bit more mature and they'll be able to handle that a little bit more but I'm really happy that it's something that they're considering.”

Earnhart believes the hybrid method could help give more direction on the days students are not in the classroom. 

“I think it'll be really good for the kiddos just to even be able to be in the classroom,” Earnhart said. “And then whenever they are home they will have more direction, specifically from their teacher on what to do while they're home I think it'll be a lot better for them.”

The Board of Education will hear from elementary, middle, and high school principals about the district’s next steps at a work session on Thursday.