Opportunity to comment on federal accountability flexibility requests

This letter serves as notice of the Delaware Department of Education’s (DDOE) intent to submit addendum and amendment requests to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) to request flexibility from certain aspects and requirements of the federal accountability system. 

In March 2020, USED granted DDOE a waiver from annual assessment and accountability requirements for school year 2019–2020 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. On October 20, 2020, USED notified state education agencies of the opportunity to modify their federal accountability systems for the 2020–2021 school year to account for the lack of data due to this waiver. 

Upon review of its federal school accountability system, in collaboration with representatives from district and charter schools statewide, DDOE determined that the lack of data from the 2019–2020 school year combined with the enduring effects of COVID-19 throughout the 2020–2021 school year will have a significant impact on DDOE’s ability to credibly calculate accountability ratings and identify schools for federal school improvement based on school performance in the 2020-2021 school year. DDOE will process and report to USED all available 2020–2021 data, but will not calculate accountability scores or assign school-level ratings. Therefore, DDOE will submit addendum and amendment requests to the USED to both adjust aspects of Delaware’s school accountability system for 2020-2021 and to adjust the methodology used to identify schools for targeted support and improvement. 

DDOE Addendum Request 

DDOE Amendment Request 

Comment Period 

All comments on the proposed addendum and/or amendment request are due by Monday, January 22, 2021, by electronic mail addressed to Continuous.Improvement@doe.k12.de.us.   

Opportunity to comment on Delaware Title IV, Part A Waiver

Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank T. Brogan recently released an invitation to participate in a waiver similar to the CARES Act waiver under ESEA section 8401(b) for FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds during the 2020-2021 school year.  In light of the continued disruption of to learning caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Delaware Department of Education is going to apply for a waiver of the following requirements and Title IV, Part A provisions.

• Section 4106(d) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, related to LEA needs assessments for the 2020-2021 school year.
• Section 4106(e)(2)(C), (D), and (E) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to content-area spending requirements for fiscal year (FY) 2021 Title IV, Part A funds.
• Section 4109(b) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to the fifteen percent spending limitation for technology infrastructure for FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds. 

Please note that all other requirements in Title IV, Part A of the ESEA would continue to apply.

DELAWARE FY2020 T4PA Waiver Template 

FY20 T4PA Waiver Letter Final

After a 30-day Public Comment Period, DDOE will apply for the waiver authority.  When approved, the state be able to permit districts or charter Schools to apply and use its Title IV, Part A funds to best meet its needs without regard to content-area spending requirements, spending limits on technology infrastructure, or completing a needs assessment.

To provide comments or question regarding these waivers or the state’s application to obtain authority to give these waivers, please complete this survey.

Opportunity to comment on 21st CCLC waiver request

Opportunity to comment on DDOE's waiver request to provide flexibility for 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) subgrantees to operate as needed to support education during remote or hybrid models of schooling in response to COVID-19.

Comments are due to John Hulse by Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

The US Department of Education recently invited all States to consider a waiver of ESEA section 4201(b)(1)(A) for the 2020-2021 school year. The Delaware Department of Education is providing the public and all local educational agencies and 21st CCLC subgrantees in the State with notice of, and the opportunity to comment on, this request:

Waiver to provide flexibility for 21st CCLC subgrantees to operate as needed to support education during remote or hybrid models of schooling in response to COVID-19:

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is requesting a waiver on behalf of the DDOE and its subgrantees, pursuant to section 8401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), of the requirement in ESEA section 4201(b)(1)(A) that restricts activities provided by a program funded under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC) to activities provided only during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session (such as before and after school or during summer recess).

This waiver is to advance student academic achievement by providing supplemental academic enrichment activities and other allowable 21st CCLC activities and services during times when school is in session but students would benefit from additional resources (e.g., when students are not physically present in school but are participating in remote or independent learning due to the disruptions caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)).

In seeking this waiver, the DDOE assures that:

• The state education agency (SEA) will use, and ensure that its subgrantees use, 21st CCLC funds in accordance with all other provisions of Title IV, Part B of the ESEA and all applicable regulations, program plans, and applications.
• The SEA is providing the public and all local educational agencies and 21st CCLC subgrantees in the State with notice of, and the opportunity to comment on, this request in the manner in which the SEA customarily provides such notice and opportunity to comment and will enclose with this waiver request the comments received (if any) and a description of how the SEA will address such comments. 

Provide feedback on Delaware Ed-Flex application

DDOE is applying to the U.S. Department of Education for waivers of certain federal grant requirements. This application process is called Ed-Flex and is made available to states through the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, as evidenced by the more-recent Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ed-Flex provides states, districts and charter schools with increased flexibility in implementing federal education programs.

Learn more about Delaware’s Ed-Flex application and provide comments online at https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/1143.

Learn more about Delaware's ESSA Plan.

Building a New DOE Website
The Delaware Department of Education is a building a new site to serve you better. We are taking a fresh look at the DOE website and rebuilding it from the ground up to make it more closely aligned with your needs. Please be patient with us while our site is under improvement.

Information about school closings/delays is posted on the State's website.