Coronavirus Response and School Reopening Guidance
Information and resources regarding CDE's COVID-19 response efforts, including the guidance document for safely reopening schools for the 20-21 school year.The California Department of Education (CDE) is monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and working closely with agency partners. Local educational agencies (LEAs) are encouraged to follow California Department of Public Health recommendations. LEAs should identify plans for communicating with families and consider learning supports for school closures.
School Guidance Remains Unchanged in Regional Stay-At-Home Order
On December 3 Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a Regional Stay-At-Home Order
(PDF). The guidance
related to K-12 schools remain in effect and unchanged.
As set forth in Section 2(e) of the Order, when it takes effect in a region, schools that have previously reopened for in-person instruction may remain open, and schools may continue to bring students back for in-person instruction under the Elementary School Waiver Process
or Cohorting Guidance
.
Schools are still required to follow the Schools Guidance issued by California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which outlines requirements for safe conditions, testing and tracing. Schools may be required to close if certain percentages of staff and students are diagnosed with COVID-19. All existing guidance applicable to schools can be found on the CDPH website
.
Please visit the FAQs
that continue to be updated for more information.
California Department of Education (CDE)
From Tony Thurmond, SSPI (Updated 11-Jan-2021)
One place for news releases and correspondence from Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), regarding COVID-19.
Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California's Public Schools
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webinars (Updated 18-Nov-2020)
Additional CDE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (Updated 24-Jul-2020)
Assessments
Accountability
- Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan (Added 17-Jul-2020)
- COVID-19 Accountability FAQs (Added 14-May-2020)
- Changes to the Local Control and Accountability Plan Process and Timelines (PDF; Added 30-Apr-2020)
Child Care and Student Supervision
Data
Distance Learning
- Distance Learning (Updated 08-Jul-2020)
- Getting Internet Access: Available Plans (Updated 28-Jul-2020)
Early Learning and Care
Funding
- Guidance Letter: 2020–21 Requirements for Collecting Free and Reduced-Price Meal Eligibility Data Used to Determine Supplemental and Concentration Grant Funding (Dated 17-Nov-2020)
- CARES Act Funding (Updated 22-Jul-2020)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Federal Funding Flexibility (Added 26-May-2020)
Mental Health
School Meals
Special Education
Joint K-12 and Higher Education California Agencies
Information on College Admissions, Grading, and Graduation Requirements (Added 01-Apr-2020)
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Elementary School Waiver Consultations
(Added 27-Aug-2020)
Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth (August 25, 2020)
(Added 26-Aug-2020)
Waiver Letter Template and Cover Form (August 3, 2020)
(PDF; Added 4-Aug-2020)
California Department of Public Health Schools Guidance FAQs (August 3, 2020)
(Added 4-Aug-2020)
Youth Sports Questions and Answers (August 3, 2020)
(Added 4-Aug-2020)
COVID-19 Update Guidance: Child Care Programs and Providers (July 17, 2020)
(PDF; Added 21-Jul-2020)
Guidance Documents
(Added 24-Mar-2020)
A list of various California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance documents related to COVID-19.
School Guidance on Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 (March 7, 2020)
(PDF; Added 09-Mar-2020)
Joint guidance from the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance for Schools and School Districts
(PDF; Added 03-Mar-2020)
Specific guidelines for California’s K–12 schools, districts, and county offices of education.
California Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
Executive Order N-47-20: Expand Support for Vulnerable Populations
(Dated 07-Apr-2020)