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Guidance, Resources in School Year 2020-21
On July 15, 2020, Secretary of Education Susan Bunting released the state’s guidance for reopening schools for the 2020-21 academic year. This guidance was developed with the help of Delaware's COVID-19 School Reopening Working Groups to support districts and charter schools as they designed their plans for the upcoming school year. Governor John Carney, in consultation with the Delaware Division of Public Health, determines whether or not schools will start the year in person. Districts and charters will implement their plans based on the scenario that aligns with current health conditions, understanding there may be some regional variability.
Governor Carney, DPH announce transition to Vaccinate Phase 1B - January 19, 2021
Governor Carney, DPH urge schools to return to hybrid learning on Jan. 11 - January, 5, 2021
Message from Governor Carney on COVID-19 - December 3, 2020
Governor Carney announces Delaware schools may open in hybrid scenario - August 4, 2020
Guidance Documents, FAQs
- COVID Prevention and Reporting in Delaware Schools FAQs - Answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about preventing the spread of COVID-19 in schools and reporting positive COVID-19 cases to school communities. Created in partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.
- Returning to School Guidance - Guidance and support document for districts and charters as they plan for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Essential safety protocols are included and required to be implemented by all Delaware schools, pre-K through grade 12.
- Antigen Testing in Schools FAQs - Guidance on COVID-19 antigen testing for Delaware districts, charter, private and parochial schools. Primarily meant for use by school nurses, COVID-19 coordinators and school personnel.
- Returning to School FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for districts and charter schools as they plan for the 2020-21 school year.
- Guidance released in Spring, Summer 2020 - Previously released guidance to support schools during the initial 2019-20 building closures.
COVID-19 Vaccinations: Phase 1B
- Phase IB Vaccinations: Educators and School Staff - Information on COVID-19 vaccinations for Delaware school staff from districts, charters, private schools, and parochial schools.
- Vaccination memo to districts and charters - Outlines DDOE's plan for managing the COVID-19 vaccination process for Delaware school staff.
Instructional Resources
- Classroom Ready Plan - Communicates to districts and charter schools a clear, cohesive vision and approach for accelerating student learning in the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Includes resources and tools.
- Professional learning catalog for educators - Offers professional learning for Delaware educators.
- Instruction Partners Resource Hub - Includes concrete actions, recommendations and resources for educators to use as they prepare to move into a remote learning environment.
- Instruction Partners Guidelines for Effective Distance Learning Practices - Actionable strategies for maintaining high content and pedagogy expectations, as well as ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction.
- Student Achievement Partners Priority Instructional Content - Names instructional content priorities in mathematics (K-8, high school) and ELA/literacy (K-12) for the 2020-21 academic year. Provides guidance for the field about the content priorities by leveraging the structure and emphases of college- and career-ready mathematics and ELA/literacy standards.
- Delaware Professional Learning Partner Guide - Identifies partner organizations who have the expertise and ability to provide the professional learning (PL) and coaching needed to help Delaware educators provide curriculum-aligned instruction in every classroom, every day. Details are included in this presentation.
- CCSSO Academic Guidance - Designed to support states and school systems in addressing the critical set of challenges for teaching and learning in the 2020-2021 school year. Consists of customizable guidance and vetted resources designed to:
- Support school systems as they thoughtfully plan for a strong launch and school year in a rapidly shifting environment
- Prioritize equity for all learners
- EdReports Enhanced Reports with Key Technology Information - Information collected from publishers to empower local schools and districts with evidence to select materials that will work best for them given their technological capabilities and instructional vision.
- Collaborative for Student Success - Publishers whose materials are rated green on EdReports post information about their adaptations, programs, and resources being developed to meet the COVID context.
- Reopening school considerations amid Coronavirus, social injustices - Developed collaboratively with Delaware students, educators and caregivers to best address student needs as schools begin instruction. Includes best practices in all educational settings and circumstances. Additionally highlights first-person narratives from educators and families.
- Driver Education Guidance Document - Guidance for driver education in the 2020-21 school year. Includes protocols, driving range options and more.
- Additional instructional resources for educators - Links to instructional resources available to schools as they plan for different models and methods of instructional delivery and, to the extent possible, the delivery of social and related services.
Special Education Resources
- Special education guidance - Federal guidance to assist K-12 schools in meeting their obligations under IDEA and other federal civil rights laws during COVID-19.
- A successful launch of the 2020-21 school year - Information on recovery efforts and free and appropriate education (FAPE) for students with disabilities during the reopening of school buildings.
- LRE, UDL guidance - Guidance issued by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education on least restrictive environment (LRE) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the wake of COVID-19.
- Distance learning, IDEA requirements - Clarification from the U.S. Department of Education on distance learning and IDEA requirements during COVID-19.
- COVID-related guidance on IDEA Part B Provision of FAPE - U.S. Department of Education guidance on IDEA Part B during COVID-19.
- Additional guidance on IDEA and FAPE - DDOE-issued guidance document to accompany U.S. Department of Education’s guidance on IDEA and FAPE during COVID-19.
- Fact sheet: Protecting the civil rights of students - Information on protecting all students’ civil rights during COVID-19.
- FAQS: Providing services to children with disabilities during Coronavirus outbreak - Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about services for students with disabilities during COVID-19. Issued by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Mitigation strategies: Working with students with special needs - Answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to students with disabilities or special healthcare needs who are unable to wear face coverings or practice social distancing.
- Materials for students who are blind, visually impaired, print disabled - Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) and Division of the Visually Impaired (DVI) support for students who are blind, visually impaired or print disabled.
- DDOE response to COVID-19 Pandemic - DDOE response regarding COVID-19 Pandemic. Issued April 17, 2020.
Educator Support
- DPAS-II Summary - An overview of Delaware’s DPAS-II requirements for the 2020-21 school year.
- Delaware Evaluation System guidance - Information on summative evaluations, observations, Component 5, alternative evaluations and more for the 2020-21 school year.
- Delaware License and Certification guidance - Information on licensing and certification for Delaware educators.
- DPAS-II look-for guidance - Provides priorities, practices and sample evidence/artifacts that may be seen in a remote learning environment.
- Educator preperation guidance during COVID - Guidelines for educator preparation during the 2020-21 school year.
Health Resources
- Supporting student, staff socio-emotional and behavioral health needs - Assists districts and charters in assessing, planning and implementing strategies to support student and staff wellbeing and mental health when reopening.
- School health return-to-school additional guidance - Provides supplemental information for school nurses for reopening. (Note to School Nurses: Please refer back to this webpage periodically for updates and/or additional information.)
- Considerations for students with special healthcare needs - Supplements information found in the Returning to School guidance and school health return-to-school additional guidance. Primarily for use by school nurses collaborating with school personnel providing care for students with special healthcare needs.
- Mitigation strategies: Working with students with special needs - Answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to students with disabilities or special healthcare needs who are unable to wear face coverings or practice social distancing.
- Exercise recommendations for students post-positive COVID-19 - Provides a sample exercise challenge intended to promote health and safety for students following a COVID-19 illness as well as encourages communication between homes and schools.
Communication Resources
- Governor Carney student welcome - Governor Carney welcomes students back to school for the 2020-21 school year.
- Secretary Bunting school staff welcome - Delaware Education Secretary Susan Bunting welcomes school staff back to school for the 2020-21 school year.
- Additional COVID-19 communication resources for schools - Offers additional COVID-19-related video and print resources for schools to use when communicating with students and families. Covers mask requirements, social distancing and more.
Early Care Provider Information
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #1 Minutes of April 2, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #2 Minutes of April 15, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #3 Minutes of April 23, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #4 Minutes of May 13, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #5 Minutes of June 3, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #6 Minutes of June 18, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #7 Minutes of July 1, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #8 Minutes of July 29, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #9 Minutes of August 20, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #10 Minutes of September 3, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #11 Minutes of September 23, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #12 Minutes of October 14, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #13 Minutes of November 9, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference Call #14 Minutes of December 7, 2020
- ECE Child Care Conference call #15 Minutes of January 21, 2021
Additional Support
- School Support Opportunities - A list of non-profit, community and agency support available to Delaware districts and charter schools in the 2020-21 school year.
- Internet resources - Support available to help Delaware families connect to the internet during the 2020-21 school year. Services are continually updated so families should contact providers directly for more information, including potential changes.
- Child care resources - A list of hybrid and remote learning support for families of school-age children. Includes resources for early learners.
- Homeschooling considerations - Answers frequently asked questions about homeschooling in Delaware.
- Emergency assistance to non-public schools (EANS) - Fact sheet on program available to non-public schools that reimburses expenses related to addressing educational disruptions caused by COVID-19.
- Archive: Guidance and Updates (Released Spring/Summer 2020)
- Archive: Spring 2020 Closure Information
Last Modified on March 29, 2021
