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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer worked closely with Republicans and Democrats to produce legislation that would create a clear path to continue education in the state of Michigan after schools were forced to shut down indefinitely for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19.

State Rep. Gary Howell (R-North Branch) said Executive Order 2020-35 "puts our students on the best feasible track for educational success."

"All Lapeer County school districts are working on active plans to continue the education of their pupils through at-home instruction and/or distance learning,” Howell said in a press release published by the Michigan House Republicans.  

The requirement that students attend school in person has been waived for all school districts for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. School districts across the state will be able to teach students on a virtual platform or assist with instructional assignments via phone or by mail.

All educators and school staff will be paid for the remainder of the school year.

“Superintendents, teachers and local school boards have been doing unbelievable work in trying to keep a semblance of the educational process alive for their students,” Howell said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

High school seniors will be allowed to graduate, and all students will be able to move to the next grade level.

The executive order states that 24 days of lost instruction will be forgiven, and school districts will be able to decide how to make up the days that have already been lost.

School districts can choose to start the 2020-2021 school year in August or temporarily adopt a year-round school schedule.

Howell acknowledges that these options may not be ideal, but it's crucial that education remains a top priority. "If we do not continue to make education a top priority, the next generation will pay the cost,” Howell told Michigan House Republicans.