This page contains resources and information for schools and districts related to distance learning and the COVID-19 virus.
In collaboration with districts and local health officials, HCOE has developed a framework document to assist Humboldt County schools as they plan for resuming operations in the new school year.
Learn More Download as PDF Public Health Guided Return to Site-Based Classroom Instruction
The California Department of Education guide as schools plan for re-opening campuses.
Go to Website Download as PDF Public Health Guidance for Schools Planning Considerations from the American Academy of Pediatrics
The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic triggered unprecedented government mandated shelter at home orders. These orders led to school closures across the state of California and the country. As schools have developed plans for providing education and educationally...
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced today that the California Department of Education (CDE) has released a new tool—Guidance on Best Practices for Distance Learning Instructional Planning. Continue Reading CDE Launches New Tool to Support Educators in Distance Learning
A Collection of Tools and Resources Culled by HCOE Learning Professionals
Resources, Links & Information for LEA Administrators
Updates from Federal and State Agences, and HCOE Nutrition Dept. Info
Spring 2020 Legal Updates & Other News From Various Agencies
California Department of Public Health
Official COVID-19 information from the State of California
CDE COVID-19 Information
The main hub of information and resources from the California Department of Education
CDC Resources for Schools
Official information from the Centers for Disease Control for schools, including differentiating between communities that have a known case and those that do not.
General Information
Ph: 707-441-5000
Email CovidInfo
Business Information
Ph: 707-268-2527
Medical and testing questions
Ph: 707-445-6200
Email Public Health
Digital Divide Task Force/LCAP Updates and Resources from CDE
August 6, 2020 | California Dept. of Education
State Superintendent Working with State and National Leaders on Possibility of Reopening Schools Earlier
April 29, 2020 |California Dept. of Education
Governor Extends LCAP Deadline and Waives PE Requirements
April 27, 2020 | School & College Legal Services
Updated Guidance from CDE – COVID-19 School Closures and
Services to Students with Disabilities
April 9, 2020 | School & College Legal Services
On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Governor Newsom announced Executive Order N-56-20, which extends the deadline for a Local Education Agency (“LEA”) to adopt its Local Control and Accountability Plan (“LCAP”) for 2020-2021 and waives requirements for physical education, effective immediately.
A Factsheet on the Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act addresses a range of concerns about how extended school cancellations and absences may affect school accountability.
In addition to the possibility of waiving testing requirements, the Education Department may consider a targeted waiver for schools that don’t meet the minimum student participation rate of 95 percent in state tests, the guidance says.
And the department will also consider targeted waivers for schools that see high rates of chronic absenteeism related to the coronavirus. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia include chronic absenteeism as a school quality indicator in their ESSA plans.
Guidance on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, outlines how schools can honor their obligations to student privacy while communicating with the public about COVID-19 or while sharing information with health agencies that are working to track its spread.
“Through information sharing and coordination with public health departments, educational agencies and institutions can help protect their schools and communities,” that document says.
Parents must provide consent before schools can release any personably identifiable student information publicly, it cautions, but some educational records and health data kept by schools may be released to relevant health agencies under FERPA’s health or safety emergency exception.
Guidance on Students with Disabilities and the Coronavirus reminds schools that, if they “continue to provide educational opportunities to the general student population during a school closure” through activities like distance learning and online programs, they must ensure that students with disabilities also have equal access to the same opportunities.
That guidance, which mirrors a directive the department previously released related the H1N1 virus, also urges that homebound services and individualized education plan meetings may be required for medically fragile students who stay home to avoid getting ill.
In the event of school closure and/or loss of attendance due to unforeseen emergency conditions, school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education should submit a J-13A waiver material decrease request to the CDE in order to mitigate the loss of ADA funding. Approved material decrease requests will provide these LEAs with the authority to add apportionment days to their reported ADA, thereby alleviating what would otherwise be a loss in LCFF funding.
FAQs on the J-13A waiver request forms can be found on CDE’s web site at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/formj13afaq.asp.
J-13A waiver request forms can be found at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/documents/j13a.pdf.
Any impacted school or LEA can contact EmergencyServices@cde.ca.gov to connect with the CDE team for assistance.
In support of public health guidance promoting social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 12, 2020, that eased certain Bagley-Keene Act and Brown Act requirements for local and state legislative bodies.
Read the full Fiscal Report.
The Department of Labor has created new posters regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
State Announces New Food Benefit Program form Families
April 29, 2020 | CDE/California Dept. of Social Services
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
March 25, 2020 | U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
The California Department of Education (CDE) has received a special waiver called CA COVID19 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will enable a school district that had previously been approved to operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to provide meals to students during a coronavirus-related closure. Read CDE’s full News Release.