OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 12, 2021) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks after today’s report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which builds upon previous evidence that PreK-12 schools can safely open with proper precautions to reduce spread of COVID-19. The full report is available at cdc.gov.

“As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue trending downward and Oklahoma state and county health officials make tremendous headway in vaccinations, the CDC report further underscores that in-person instruction can be done safely when appropriate, science-based precautions are in place. The challenges of education in the midst of this pandemic have been extraordinary, just as the challenges of COVID-19 have impacted nearly every aspect of American life. But through continued vigilance and resourcefulness, we can and will ensure brighter days ahead for Oklahoma students. We can accept nothing less.”