Opportunity to comment on federal accountability waiver request

This letter serves as notice of the Delaware Department of Education’s (DDOE) intent to submit an accountability waiver request 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 through an addendum process. On February 22, 2021, USED provided state education agencies with the option to submit an accountability waiver in lieu of the addendum. The newly released accountability waiver includes all aspects included in Delaware’s original addendum request, which was informed by extensive stakeholder feedback and public comment, but also adds a one-year waiver from identifying schools for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) and a waiver from including participation rates below 95% in proficiency calculations.

DDOE Accountability Request March 2021 

Comment Period 

All comments on the proposed accountability waiver request are due by Friday, March 26, 2021, by electronic mail addressed to Continuous.Improvement@doe.k12.de.us.   

Provide public comment on Perkins V revisions

DDOE and the State Board of Education are currently seeking public comment on the revised state-determined performance levels under the Delaware Perkins State Plan. As a result of COVID-19 and the unanticipated circumstances in an academic year, adjustments can be made to the state-determined levels (see rational here). In Delaware's Perkins V plan, the state-determined Levels of Performance are the basis of a multiple measure accountability model between DDOE and the U. S. Department of Education, and includes baseline outcomes and the anticipated performance trajectory over a four-year period. State-determined performance levels do not have a bearing on the local accountability models. To provide comment on this matter, submit feedback by the close of business on Tuesday, April 20 via Delaware.SBE@SBE.k12.de.us or by mail to: Delaware State Board of Education, Attn: Perkins State Plan Review, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901. 

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 has applied for and been given approval authority to waive 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

Districts or charter Schools who wish to apply and use its Title IV, Part A funds to best meet their needs without regard to content-area spending requirements, spending limits on technology infrastructure, or completing a needs assessment should drop the Title IV, Part A Waiver document into their LEA letterhead, fill out, sign and email to TitleProgram.Q&A@doe.k12.de.us.

For Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Title IV, Part A waiver, please view FAQs.

Any other questions, comments or assistance can be obtained by calling or emailing the Title Programs and Grants Support Team at (302) 857-3385 or at TitlePrograms.Q&A@doe.k12.de.us.

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

Comments 

One response overall. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 indicating support for the Delaware CARES Act waivers, the one respondent selected a 5. Individual comments are as follows:

• Seeking the tech waiver would be extremely helpful for district planning during COVID.

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.