Coronavirus Response and School Reopening Guidance

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.

New Safe Schools for All Hub Offers Updated Health Guidance

The State has formally launched a new Safe Schools for All Hub , a one-stop shop for state guidance and resources on safely resuming in-person instruction.

The Hub provides the most updated guidance for all schools to follow, directives for reporting data, and links to for additional resources, including how to implement school-centered testing.

The Hub will continuously be updated with additional guidance, resources and information.

U.S. Health and Human Services Agency

Letter on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children (PDF)
A joint guidance letter from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona, Ed. D. regarding information and resources on pediatric vaccine efforts to help families learn about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years old.

California Department of Education (CDE)

From Tony Thurmond, SSPI (Updated 22-Nov-2021)
One place for COVID-19 news releases and correspondence from Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI).

AB 86

• COVID-19 Relief and School Reopening Grants (Updated 16-June-2021)

Other Key Resources

Heal, Recover, and Thrive: The Needed Resources for California Schools (PDF; Added 07-Jan-2022)
This document outlines State Superintendent Tony Thurmond’s recommendations to support the transformation of California schools. Superintendent Thurmond and the California Department of Education will work on legislation to implement the recommendations listed in this document. This legislative effort will support schools in healing from the trauma of the pandemic, making progress toward learning recovery, and striving toward future student progress.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webinars
• Additional CDE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

Assessments

• COVID-19 and Data Reporting

Accountability

• Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan
• COVID-19 Accountability FAQs
• Changes to the Local Control and Accountability Plan Process and Timelines (PDF)

Child Care and Student Supervision

• Child Care and Student Supervision (DOCX)
  

Distance Learning

• Distance Learning
• Getting Internet Access: Available Plans

Early Learning and Care

• Early Learning COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

Funding

• Guidance Letter: 2020–21 Requirements for Collecting Free and Reduced-Price Meal Eligibility Data Used to Determine Supplemental and Concentration Grant Funding
• CARES Act Funding
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Federal Funding Flexibility

Mental Health

• Help for Students in Crisis

Special Education

• Special Education Guidance

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Public health experts have issued guidance on safe returns to in-person instruction since May 2020, and have updated and expanded since then. CDPH will not release updates to the 2021-22 school year’s K-12 School Guidance until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates their guidance. This will allow coordination between guidance documents. Learn more about key prevention and mitigation measures .

Additional information related to schools can also be found here:

Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports

Individuals should continue to wear a mask indoors in public settings. For more information, see CDPH’s updated Face Covering Guidance and its associated Face Mask Q&A . Additional Youth Sports guidance may be provided, pending operational guidance from the CDC.

Child Care Programs and Providers

COVID-19 Update Guidance: Child Care Programs and Providers (June 29, 2021)

California Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Executive Order N-73-20: Bridging the Digital Divide by Mobilizing Across State Government

Executive Order N-66-20: Temporarily Suspending Examination Requirements for Teacher Candidates Impacted by COVID-19

Executive Order N-56-20: Empowering Schools to Focus on COVID-19 Response and Transparency

Governor Newsom Announces Cross-Sector Partnerships to Support Distance Learning and Bridge the Digital Divide

Executive Order N-47-20: Expand Support for Vulnerable Populations

Executive Order N-45-20: Provide Expanded Access to Child Care for Essential Workers During COVID-19 Response

Executive Order N-30-20: Suspend Standardized Testing for Students in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

Executive Order N-26-20: Ensuring State Funding for Schools Even in Event of Physical Closure

Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency to Help State Prepare for Broader Spread of COVID-19

Joint K-12 and Higher Education California Agencies

Information on College Admissions, Grading, and Graduation Requirements