Partners and Friends,
Health officials are currently taking steps to help prevent the introduction and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Important Guidance released by the CDC explains how community and faith leaders across the United States can play an important role in this effort. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/guidance-community-faith-organizations.html?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=).
The Department of Education has released many FAQs, letters, guidance and information for K-12 and Higher Education leaders. As such, ED has created a comprehensive webpage providing information to the field to address the concerns of education leaders and stakeholders. ED is regularly updating this page as more information becomes available from the Department of Education. (https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus?src=feature&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=).
Last week Secretary Betsy DeVos announced:
Nearly $1.4 billion in additional CARES Act funds will be directed to HBCUs and MSIs to support students with cash grants and ensure learning continues for all during the COVID-19 pandemic. (https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-devos-delivers-nearly-14-billion-additional-cares-act-relief-funds-hbcus-minority-serving-institutions-and-colleges-and-universities-serving-low-income-students?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=).
Institutions may use this funding to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students, and faculty and staff trainings. Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses, and payroll.
FAQs on Providing Equitable Services to Students and Teachers in Non-Public Schools under the CARES Act. (https://oese.ed.gov/files/2020/04/FAQs-Equitable-Services.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=). All schools face new challenges related to COVID-19 and this guidance helps assure that non-public schools have access to relief and assistance also available to public schools.
The Department is inviting (https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-devos-expands-second-chance-pell-experiment-more-doubling-opportunities-incarcerated-students-gain-job-skills-and-earn-postsecondary-credentials?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=) a new cohort of 67 institutions (https://experimentalsites.ed.gov/exp/pdf/NewSCPInvitees.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=) to join its Second Chance Pell Experiment (https://blog.ed.gov/2019/04/answering-frequently-asked-questions-second-chance-pell/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=). The expansion more than doubles the size of the pilot, allowing incarcerated students to use federal Pell Grants at 130 schools in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly two-thirds are two-year institutions, one-third are minority-serving institutions, and all are either public or private non-profit institutions.
The Department took historic action to strengthen Title IX (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/newsroom.html?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=) protections for survivors of s*xual misconduct and to restore due process in campus proceedings to ensure all students can pursue an education free from s*x discrimination. For the first time ever, the Department's Title IX regulations define s*xual harassment, including s*xual assault, as unlawful s*x discrimination.
For education policy questions related to COVID-19, please contact the Department of Education using the following email address: COVID-19@ed.gov. Health related information can be found at coronavirus.gov.
As always, we thank you for the vital work you do to serve the nation’s children, students, families, and communities.
U.S. Department of Education
Posted By: agnes levine
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 at 10:15AM
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