The American Federation of Teachers now supports CDC guidance that reduces social distancing guidance to 3 feet from 6 feet. Randi Weingarten, the union's president, says the CDC responded to its questions, and assured the group that the new guidance includes continued additional mitigation strategies to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The 1,372 teachers who were laid off earlier this year in San Diego could go back to work in the fall under a preliminary agreement reached by the teachers union and San Diego Unified School District. Under the proposed contract, which still must be ratified by the union, teachers give up planned pay raises and agree to take unpaid leave in order to save jobs.

A New York court has upheld a lower court's ruling that New York City teacher ratings should be available to the public. The ratings, which are based on student progress on standardized tests, have been used the past two years for tenure decisions. The teachers union opposes the move, arguing the evaluations are not accurate. Union officials say they plan to appeal the decision again.

In New York City, 58% of teachers eligible for tenure received it under a new standard adopted this year that is based on students' test scores, observations and other factors. Five years ago, 99% of teachers earned tenure. The teachers union says the results are not credible and is questioning the quality of classroom observations. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pledged to provide support for teachers who have not yet earned tenure, and said his hope is that all will.