Kemp Orders All Georgia Schools Closed Beginning Wednesday

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On Monday, the Georgia Department of Education listed 209 of the state's 212 school systems as closed.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order to close all public schools in Georgia beginning Wednesday. Schools from elementary through college and technical schools are included in the order to remained closed from March 18 through March 31.

The governor has given districts the option of remaining closed after March 31.

"This measure is critical to reducing local transmission in communities across our state," Kemp said in a statement Monday night.

As of Monday, the Georgia Department of Education listed 209 of Georgia's 212 school districts with 1,724,822 students out of school. The 212 districts include Georgia's state and commission charter schools.

To help students continue learning while the schools, the Georgia DOE has set-up digital learning resources. 

MORE: Georgia Schools Suspend Standardized Tests In Face Of Coronavirus

Also, on Monday, State School Superintendent Richard Woods suspended state testing, and more, including:

• State assessment window/administration (including Georgia Milestones EOGs and EOCs, the Georgia Alternate Assessment/GAA 2.0, and all other required testing)
• Teacher and leader evaluation (TKES/LKES) requirements and reporting
• State-level attendance-related consequences (including CCRPI, TKES/LKES, School Climate Star Rating, and make-up day requirements) 

"Right now, schools' focus needs to be on the safety of their students and staff," Woods said.

The State Board of Education will conduct its March 27 meeting via teleconference. At that time, Woods said he plans to recommend the approval of a package of waivers, including suspension of the 20% course grade requirement for the Georgia Milestones End Of Course tests.