States start mandating the return of in-person learning

As another school year under the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, some states are now mandating that schools offer full-time in-person instruction in the fall. 

Officials in New Jersey, Washington and Illinois have all announced that schools in their states must offer in-person instruction next school year.  

In Illinois, an exception will be made for students who are both ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and are under a quarantine order.

As of now, students and faculty in all three states will still be required to wear face masks at school. 

Some school districts are also making their own in-person learning plans for the upcoming school year. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that New York City Public Schools would only be offering in-person instruction in the fall.