The Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) is continually monitoring COVID-19 guidance issued by the Governor’s Office, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), and the Arkansas Department of Education-Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In an effort to keep our members informed, we will provide updates as new information becomes available.
ADE Commissioner’s Memos
As a result of the public health emergency declaration, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issued a number of Commissioner’s Memos to provide valuable guidance to schools. Below is a list of the Commissioner’s Memos released related to COVID-19 beginning with the most recent guidance issued:
- RT-22-004: Year 2 of the GEER/DESE Hotspot Project
- COM-22-037: Federal Funds Waiver – approved August 25, 2021
- COM-20-128: State Reported Absence
- COM-22-020: 2021-2022 COVID-19 Guidance for Schools
- COM-22-017: Digital Learning Plans-Extended Opportunity
- COM-22-004: Federal Programs Waiver Released for Public Comment
- CNU-21-027: Student Eligibility and eSchool Rollover for SY 2021-2022 School Year
- COM-21-146: ESSER: Eligible Uses of Funds Guidance Document UPDATED
- COM-21-136: American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER) and Webinar (June 1, 2021)
- CNU-21-025: Child Nutrition Nationwide Waivers for SY 2021-2022
- FIN-21-047: ESA Data for 2021-2022
- COM-21-124: Public Comment on the Arkansas Revised Addendum to the ESEA Consolidated State Plan due to the COVID-19 National Emergency under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act
- FIN-21-035: 2020-21 Preliminary ESSER III Allocations
- CNU-21-018: USDA Extends SSO Feeding Waivers Through 2021 Summer Feeding Operations
- COM-21-108: End-of-Year COVID-19 Guidance for Schools
- COM-21-106: ESSER: Eligible Uses of Funds Guidance Document
- FIN-21-033: Supplemental ESSER II Allocations
- COM-21-094: Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) and Webinar
- COM-21-090: Additional Information Regarding COVID-19 Guidelines and Impact on School Events
- CNU-21-013: 2021 Summer Feeding Programs
- LS-21-051: Important Updates to Spring 2020-2021 Testing Calendar
- COM-21-081: Communications Toolkit Regarding Spring Assessments
- COM-21-073: Digital Learning Options
- FIN-21-027: ESSER I Equitable Services Information
- FIN-21-026: 2020-21 Preliminary ESSER II Allocations
- COM-21-069: 2020 School Report Card Released
- COM-21-065: CARES Act – Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA – commonly referred to as ESSER II Funds) Webinar
- COM-21-061: Employee COVID Leave
- COM-21-062: 2020 Annual School Performance Report Card Review
- COM-21-056: Waiver of Title IV Released for Public Comment
- FIN-21-020: 2020-21 Final CARES Allocations with Equitable Services Set Aside
- FIN-21-021: UPDATE to School Employee COVID-19 Emergency Leave
- COM-21-049: Public Comment on the Arkansas Addendum to the ESEA Consolidated State Plan due to the COVID-19 National Emergency under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act
- COM-21-046: Social Emotional Learning Resource
- LIC-21-011: TESS Summative Evaluations Waiver
- FIN-21-016: COVID School Meals Funding
- COM-21-039: ENGAGE Arkansas District Opt In Deadline is Friday, October 23rd
- CNU-21-008: United States Department of Agriculture extends meal service at no cost to students through June 30, 2021
- LS-21-015: Student Health Screening and Immunization Reporting Modifications
- COM-21-035: ENGAGE Arkansas
- LIC-21-007: Supporting Virtual Instruction
- LS-21-018: Updates to DLM Assessment Options
- RT-21-014: T-Mobile Project 10Million
- COM-21-031: Utilization of COVID-19 Ready for Learning Class Size Waiver for Virtual Instruction
- RT-21-006: New Field on Student Instructional Option Added to eSchoolPLUS and SIS
- COM-21-029: CARES Act Equitable Services Update
- RT-21-010: 1 Mbps/USER APSCN High-Speed Broadband Upgrade
- CNU-21-006: United States Department of Agriculture Extends Free Meals to Students Through December 31, 2020
- COM-21-016: Teaching Load and Attendance
- COM-21-014: School Employee COVID-19 Emergency Leave
- RT-21-007: Coaching Call Support for Arkansas Ready for Learning
- LS-21-006: Digital Learning Provider Clarification
- LIC-21-005: Ready for School Resource Call Center
- RT-21-004: DESE Arkansas Hotspot Project
- COM-21-007: Attendance Records and Reports Waiver for SY 2020-2021
- LS-21-002: Guidance on Distance and Digital Learning
- LS-21-004: Required Professional Development
- LIC-20-045: DESE Resumes Fingerprinting
- RT-21-001: Guiding Resources for Schools – Blended Learning
- CNU-21-001: National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program USDA Waivers for SY 2020-2021
- LS-20-089: Guidance for Schools Regarding COVID-19
- COM-20-131: Impact of COVID-19 on 2020 State and Federal Accountability and Reporting
- LS-20-116: Ready for Learning Call for Resources
- COM-20-132: Districts Requesting Waivers to Implement Arkansas Ready for Learning
- COM-20-128: State Reported Absence
- LS-20-110: 2019-202 Assessment Scores Reporting
- FIN-20-054: 2019-20 Preliminary CARES Allocations with Equitable Services Set Aside
- COM-20-126: Arkansas Playbook Webinar
- RT-20-013: Blended Learning Needs Assessment
- COM-20-124: Ready for Learning: Assurances & Application Webinar and Webpage
- LS-20-113: Ready for Learning Assessment Options
- COM-20-122: Arkansas Ready for Learning Webinar: Planning for the 2020-2021 School Year
- COM-20-121: Graduation Documentation Reminders
- LIC-20-048: COVID-19 Teacher Hotline
- FIN-20-047: 2019-20 Preliminary CARES Allocations
- CNU-20-035: Child Nutrition Nationwide Waiver Extensions
- COM-20-120: CARES Act – webpage, LEA application, and webinar
- COM-20-119: ESSER Funds Webinar – May 18, 2020
- LIC-20-043: Educator Licensure Testing Options
- FIN-20-042: CARES Act Funding Data
- LS-20-101: AMI Instructional Guidance
- LIC-20-038: Employees Hiring & Licensure Exceptions for the 2020-2021 School Year
- LIC-20-034: TESS/LEADS Summative Guidance
- COM-20-113: 2020 ESSA Waiver for Federal Funds
- LIC-20-036: Background Check Guidance for COVID-19
- COM-20-112: ESSA Assessment, Accountability, and Reporting Waiver – approved March 27, 2020
- LS-20-097: Arkansas AMI
- COM-20-105: 2020 ESSA Waiver from Assessment, Accountability, and Reporting
Acts from the 2021 Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly
When the session began on January 11, 2021, legislators were faced with a number of health and economic issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ensuring millions of dollars in federal COVID relief funds were allocated appropriately. Below are Acts passed by the 93rd General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature related to COVID-19 impacting K-12 education.
- Act 403/SB379 Authorize the General Assembly to vote to deny renewal of statewide public health disaster emergencies after 60 days by concurrent resolution in committee of the whole or more.
- Act 977/HB1547 Prohibits schools, licensing entities, and employers (who are granted immunity from civil liability for injuries resulting from exposure) from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations through discrimination or coercion.
- Act 1002/SB590 Ends the face covering requirement that was issued through executive order and extended until March 31, 2021.
Governor’s Executive Orders
On March 11, 2020, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued Executive Order 20-03 to declare an emergency and issue directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below is a list of the Executive Orders issued related to the public health emergency issued by the Governor’s Office relevant to K-12 education:
- March 11, 2020 EO 20-03 Declaring an Emergency and Ordering the Arkansas Department of Health to Take Action to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- March 12, 2020 EO 20-04 Declaring an Emergency and Ordering the Arkansas Department of Health to Take Action to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- March 13, 2020 EO 20-05 Amending EO 20-03 Regarding Public Health Emergency Concerning COVID-19
- March 17, 2020 EO-20-06 Amending EO-20-03 Regarding the Public Health Emergency Concerning COVID-19 for the Purpose of Assisting State Agencies in Rendering Maximum Assistance to the Citizens of Arkansas
- March 20, 2020 EO 20-08 Amending EO-20-03 for the Purpose of Ordering Funds Released to Degray Program and Administrative Costs Associated with COVID-19
- March 25, 2020 EO 20-09 For the Purpose of Extending the State Individual Tax Filing Deadline as a Result of COVID-19
- March 26, 2020 EO 20-10 Amending EO-20-03 Regarding the Public Health Emergency Concerning COVID-19 for the Purpose of Restricting Gatherings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- March 30, 2020 EO 20-11 To Establish the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Steering Committee
- March 31, 2020 EO 20-12 For the Purpose of Suspending Provisions Requiring In-Person Witnessing and Notarization of Legal Documents in the State of Arkansas
- April 4, 2020 EO 20-13 For the Purpose of Imposing Further Restrictions to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- April 10, 2020 EO 20-14 For the Purpose of Suspending Provisions Requiring In-Person Witnessing and Notarization of Legal Documents
- April 13, 2020 EO 20-16 To Assist State Agencies in Rendering Maximum Assistance to the Citizens of Arkansas
- April 13, 2020 EO 20-17 To Establish the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response
- April 18, 2020 EO 20-20 To Establish the Governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force
- April 21, 2020 EO 20-21 To Establish the Governor’s COVID-19 Testing Advisory Group
- April 24, 2020 EO 20-23 For the Purpose of Observing Social Distancing Guidelines Associated with COVID-19 in Special Elections Held on May 12, 2020.
- May 5, 2020 EO 20-25 Regarding the Public Health Emergency Concerning COVID-19, For the Purpose of Renewing the Disaster of Public Health Emergency to Prevent the Spread of and Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19
- May 11, 2020 EO 20-26 For the Purpose of Observing Social Distancing Guidelines Associated with COVID-19 in Special Elections on June 9, 2020.
- May 27, 2020 EO 20-28 Executive Order to Establish the Governor’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board
- June 15, 2020 EO 20-33 For the Purpose of Protecting Arkansas Businesses from Liability Related to COVID-19
- June 15, 2020 EO 20-34 For the Purpose of Ensuring Access to Healthcare Resources to Treat COVID-19
- June 15, 2020 EO 20-35 For the Purpose of Clarifying Workers’ Compensation Law
- June 18, 2020 EO 20-37 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- June 26, 2020 EO 20-40 To Amend Executive Order 20-37 For the Purpose of Holding Special Elections in the State While Following Social Distancing Guidelines Associated with COVID-19
- July 3, 2020 EO 20-41 Pursuant to the Public Health Emergency Concerning COVID-19, As Declared in Executive Order 20-37, For the Purpose of Clarifying Local Response to COVID-19
- July 16, 2020 EO 20-43 For the Purpose of Requiring Face Coverings
- August 7, 2020 EO 20-44 For the Purpose of Holding Federal and State Elections in the State While Following Social Distancing Guidelines Associated with COVID-19
- August 14, 2020 EO 20-45 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- October 13, 2020 EO 20-48 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- November 13, 2020 EO 20-50 To Establish the Governor’s COVID-19 Winter Task Force
- December 11, 2020 EO 20-51 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- December 21, 2020 EO 20-52 For the Purpose of Amending Executive Order 20-34 to Ensure Access to Healthcare Resources to Treat COVID-19
- December 29, 2020 EO 20-53 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- December 29, 2020 EO 20-54 For the Purpose of Clarifying Arkansas Unemployment Insurance Law
- February 10, 2021 EO 21-03 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- March 19, 2021 EO 21-06 For the Purpose of Extending the State Individual Tax Filing Deadline
- March 31, 2021 EO 21-07 To Renew the Disaster and Public Health Emergency to Mitigate the Spread and Impact of COVID-19
- May 11, 2021 EO 21-08 To Establish the Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Steering Committee
Special Education Services
There are currently no waivers issued regarding special education services. Federal guidance has been that states should extend flexibility, but they have not stated that they can waive timelines. DESE has created an executive summary to provide additional special education guidance. DESE’s special education website is also continually updated:
Districts are required to follow their approved AMI Plan which should address how the district serves students with an Individual Education Plan:
The U.S. Department of Education has issued a questions and answers document outlining states’ responsibilities to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families, and to the staff serving these children:
The U.S. Department of Education of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services also issued a fact sheet addressing the risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary Schools while serving children with disabilities. This document includes valuable guidance regarding compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Districts are encouraged to maintain frequent and open lines of communication with parents and work with them to address any concerns. Annual review discussions should occur as scheduled and can be conducted by phone. If you are unable to meet a specified timeline, be sure to document why you were not able to meet the timeline.
Districts will also need to identify if there is any significant regression in their special education students, and if so, offer an amended IEP and/or compensatory services when onsite instruction resumes.
School Spotlights
During this difficult time, we could all use some positive news. Schools across Arkansas have shared stories of the great things they are doing to support their communities, whether it’s helping to provide PPE for healthcare workers, ensuring kids have access to nutritious meals, or innovative ways educators are reaching students.
To view the schools we have highlighted, click here.
If you have a story you would like to share, email cfowler@apsrc.net.