Updates: Department of Ed and Other Federal Agencies on COVID-19 Resources for Education
AACTE Responds to COVID-19
As the United States responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal agencies connected to the education and care of our nation’s higher education and PK-12 students are releasing information and guidance for taking action, as well as flexibilities and waivers offered.
The U.S. Department of Education offered a phone call to K-12 stakeholder on Friday March 20, 2020, with officials from the Department, the CDC, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Department has posted a readout of the call, with links to resources on servicing students with disabilities, student loan relief, student privacy, and more.
Main Links for COVID-19 Information
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Specific Updates
Higher Education
- Federal Student Aid “Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents”
- The Office of Postsecondary Education issued a COVID-19 FAQ and Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). (updated March 20, 2020)
- The Office of Postsecondary Education issued Information for Accrediting Agencies Regarding Temporary Flexibilities Provided to Coronavirus Impacted Institutions or Accrediting Agencies. (March 17, 2020)
Elementary and Secondary Education
- Broad flexibilities are provided to states to bypass ESSA mandated testingfor the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19 national emergency. States education leaders can access the waiver application
Civil Rights and Special Education
- Guidance to education leaders on preventing and addressing potential discrimination associated with COVID-19
- A webinar on ensuring web accessibility for students with disabilities for schools utilizing online learning during the pandemic
- Fact sheet on how to protect students’ civil rights as school leaders take steps to keep students safe and secure
- Guidance on how to provide services to students with disabilities during school closures throughout the outbreak (additional information forthcoming).
- Fact sheet on how to protect students’ civil rights as school leaders take steps to keep students safe and secure
Student Privacy
- Guidance on the sharing of student education records during a health and safety emergency under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Resources on FERPA and virtual learning
- ed.gov/
Food and Nutrition Services
- Update on FNS response: usda.gov/coronavirus
- Child Nutrition Programs: (Questions should be sent to feedingkids@usda.gov)
- Meal Delivery Using Existing Authorities in Summer Meal Programs
- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
- Meal Times Nationwide Waiver
- Non-Congregate Feeding Nationwide Waiver
- Afterschool Activity Nationwide Waiver
Tags: elementary education, equity, federal issues, funding, higher education, inclusion, secondary education
