Considerations for monitoring and evaluation of mitigation strategies implemented in K-12 schools

Updated Oct. 21, 2020As K-12 schools reopen for in-person instructions, it is important to have systems in place for the monitoring and evaluation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies. This resource provides example evaluation questions, indicators, and data sources to help state and local public health and education agencies, school and district administrators, and evaluation professionals monitor and evaluate the implementation and impact of COVID-19 mitigation strategies implemented in K-12 schools on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.CDC\u2019s Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School in Fall 2020 provides considerations on strategies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Schools may consider implementing COVID-19 mitigation strategies as they reopen, including, but not limited to, requiring students, faculty, and staff to wear masks, restricting mixing between groups, integrating safe and effective cleaning and disinfection, communicating prevention messagingpdf icon, ensuring social distancing (e.g., maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others) as much as possible, limiting large group gatherings (e.g., assemblies, orientation), enhancing ventilationexternal icon in school buildings, and reinforcing hand hygiene. These mitigation strategies promote health and safety, and implementation may be tailored to the needs and situation of each school, with special attention to individuals at increased risk for severe illness and disproportionately affected populations. The figure below provides an abbreviated and tailored version of the logic model for U.S. Community Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19 for K-12 schools.2020E:\cpapFiles\WebServer\COVIDmonitoring-evaluation-k-122020oct21.pdfhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/monitoring-evaluation-k-12.html854