The 2021-2022 school year is poised to be as challenging as the previous year for urban school leaders who must make high-stakes decisions about student and employee health and safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The Council of the Great City Schools has partnered with Education Week once again to track the operating protocols and requirements for the nation’s 74 largest urban public-school districts.

The online tracker provides up-to-date information on how districts are handling vaccine, mask, and coronavirus testing requirements. In addition, the searchable tracker offers information on whether districts are offering remote options for students.

According to the tracker, 96 percent of the 74 member districts in the Council are mandating masks in the classroom, while 84 percent have remote options, 64 percent have staff vaccine mandates and 69 percent have testing requirements.

“As urban school districts reopen for in-person learning this fall, this tracker provides valuable information on what they are doing to keep students and staff safe,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “From showing how many school districts are requiring COVID-19 testing to the number of school districts requiring vaccinations for employees, the tracker is a worthwhile resource, and we are glad to have developed it with Education Week.”