Walz to announce plan Wednesday to expand in-person learning for middle, high school students

Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce a plan on Wednesday to expand in-person learning for middle and high school students.

A spokesperson for Walz’s office said the governor will address Minnesotans and announce his plan at noon.

According to the governor’s office, 96% of school districts are participating in the state’s educator testing program, and the transmission rate for those participants is 0.37%.

“Getting our children safely back into the classroom continues to be a priority,” Walz said. “From the teachers, to the parents, to school staff, to the kids – we all share the same goal of a safe return to the classroom. Testing is key to that. The educator testing program ensures that all teachers and school staff have regular, easy access to testing to allow us to identify cases and take the appropriate steps before an outbreak occurs.”

Walz’s office also says 85% of kindergarten through eighth-grade classes currently have some form of in-person learning.