State Education Officials Provide Guidance For Socially-Distant Graduations

From The Center Square:

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

May 3, 2020

The Class of 2020 could hold graduation ceremonies under new social distancing guidelines the Illinois State Board of Education put out over the weekend.

The board encouraged virtual ceremonies, but on Saturday put out guidelines that would allow for other types of ceremonies for the graduating class of 2020.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sunday said the guidelines require social distancing.

“Look, I’m as concerned as anybody to make sure that people have something to at least something to celebrate their graduations,” Pritzker said. “It is a sad fact that many seniors, high school and college seniors aren't going to be able to have a usual graduation, so we want something special for everybody so the state board of education has put out guidelines for that.”

The guidelines allow for drive-in or drive-thru events. There are also guidelines for individualized ceremonies at schools, but efforts must be made to ensure social distancing.

Ultimately, ISBE said the decision around whether or not to host a socially distanced graduation ceremony is at the discretion of local school boards and superintendents.

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