Update on Coronavirus

May 2022 Update: The contents of this webpage are now archived. The resources below remain available for historicial context and reference.

ARCHIVE: Important contact information

• The Department of Education COVID-19 hotline was available for district leaders 629-888-5898 or toll free 833-947-2115. The hotline was available Monday-Friday 6:30 am – 4:30pm CST. Or, email: K12.health@tn.gov.

• For nutrition program-specific questions, constituents and districts could contact the Department’s Nutrition Hotline Number at (800)-354-3663. It was available daily from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm CST. Or, email School.Nutrition@tn.gov.

The Department of Education disseminated guidance to district leaders to best support their students, schools and communities.

ARCHIVE: At-Home Resources and Services

PBS Teaching Tennessee: Through a continued partnership with the state’s PBS stations, Tennessee students will have access to daily educational content . All six Tennessee PBS stations offer high quality educational programming, weekdays from 9 a.m. –11 a.m. CT. Teaching Tennessee classroom lesssons for 1st-8th grade students can be found on the department's YouTube page. All 320 lessons have companion teacher lesson plans and student packets that can be found here.
SchoolMealFinder.com: Through a partnership between the department and Hoonuit, Tennessee families had access to this school meal site finder to find the closest meal pick up program available to them. Read more here.
STE(A)M Resource Hub: The department and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) released a STE(A)M Resource Hub for educators and families to use with students during COVID-19 related school closures. The STE(A)M Resource Hub included three weekly challenges around design activities, critical thinking, and career exploration that can all be done in the home. Read more here.
Tennessee Principal Professional Learning Series: The Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Educational Leadership partnered to provide virtual professional learning opportunities to principals to support them in addressing the immediate challenges facing schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.

ARCHIVE: Preparation and Planning

Coronavirus: A Guide for Schools (Added 3.5.20)
Emergency Plans & Procedures Best Practices for Schools (Added 3.5.20)
Cleaning Guidance (Added 3.5.20)
Infection Control Tips for School Buses (Added 3.5.20)
Handwashing Best Practices (Added 3.5.20)
Guidlines for Health Care in a School Setting (Added 3.16.20)

ARCHIVE: Child Wellbeing Task Force

Child Wellbeing Task Force Initial COVID-19 Impact Report (Added 7/23/20)
Child Wellbeing Task Force Initial COVID-19 Impact Report Summary (Added 7/23/20)

ARCHIVE: Closure Guidance and FAQ's

General Closure Guidance

Graduation Ceremony Guidance (Added 4.23.20)
School Closure Guidance: EIS Coding FAQ (Updated 4.8.20)
U.S. Department of Education Guidance and Regulations Related to COVID-19 School Closures (Added 3.16.20)
School Closure Funding Implications and Actions: COVID-19 Guidance (Updated 5.26.20)
Charter Schools FAQ: COVID-19 Gudiance (Updated 4.3.20)
Head Start FAQ: COVID 19 Guidance (Added 3.27.20)
TDOE COVID Response Presentation (Added 4.7.20)
Mental Health FAQs (Added 4.8.20)
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) COVID Guidance

Instruction, Assessment and Accountability

Tennessee Board of Regents Memo: Dual Enrollment (Added 4.27.20)
Guidance on School and District Accountability (Updated 5.8.20)
Guidance on State Assessment (Added 4/17/20)
TCAP Materials Return Instructions (Added 4/17/20)
IT Resources: COVID-19 Guidance (Updated 4.8.20)
ACT Guidance for Districts and Schools (Updated 4.30.20)
ACT Payment Invoice Request Information (Added 4.30.20)
FAQ for High School Programs, CCTE (Updated 4.16.20)
Fine Arts Resource List (Added 4.7.20)
WIDA Exit Options (Added 4.23.20)
WIDA Shipping (Added 4.23.20)

Nutrition

Special Populations

COVID-19 School Closures and Special Education:The Path Forward (Added 5.7.20)
Special Education Council Frequently Asked Questions (Added 5.7.20)
Guidance for IDEA Technology Grant Application (Added 4.27.20)
Suggestions for ESL Classes and Activities: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 3.16.20)
U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (Added 3.23.20)
School Closures and Special Education: Guidance on Services to Students with Disabilities (Updated 3.30.20)
TN Request for Expedited OSEP Review: Guidance on Services to Students with Disabilities Guidance (Added 3.30.20)
COVID Special Education Presentation Slides (Added 3.30.20)
Special Education Related FAQ (Updated 3.31.20)

Staffing, Educators and EPP Resources

School Safety FAQ: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 3.16.20)
Employment Decisions: Guidance (Added 3.23.20)
Licensure and Preparation SBE Updates - COVID-19
ETS Praxis Updates

State Board of Education Emergency Rule Resources

State Board of Education Emergency Rules
State Board of Education Emergency Rules FAQ
COVID-19 LEA Waiver Application
COVID-19 Waiver Report
Department Guidance Documents Regarding Emergency SBE Rules:
- Teacher Licensure (Added 4.23.20)
- Teacher Evaluation (Added 4.24.20)
- Special Education (Added 4.24.20)
- Initial Evaluation Timelines Guidance Document
- Initial Evaluation Timeline Calculator
- Strategic Compensation Plans (Added 4.24.20)
- TASL Credit Department (Added 4.24.20)

Federal Programs and Funding

Stafford Act and COVID-19 Reimbursement Fact Sheet (Added 6.9.20)
FAQ regarding Migratory Students and COVID-19 Closures (Added 5.8.20)
FAQ regarding Juvenile Detention Centers: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 4.30.20)
FAQ regarding Foster Care and Distance Learning: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 4.30.20)
FAQ regarding Neglected and Delinquent Programming: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 4.30.20)
Fact Sheet: Questions Related to Use of U.S. Department of Ed. Grant Funds During COVID-19 (Added 4.9.20)
Federal Funds Guidance: COVID-19 Closures (Updated 4.27.20)
Guidance to LEAs for Providing Equitable Service to Non-Public Schools: COVID-19 Guidance (Added 4.7.20)
COVID-19 Guidance Regarding Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Added 4.8.20)
Results-Based ESEA & IDEA Program Monitoring Updates & COVID-19 Guidance (Added 3.30.20)
English Learners
- U.S. Department of Ed. Fact Sheet: Providing Services to English Learners During the Covid-19 Outbreak (Added 5.26.20)
- FAQ regarding COVID-19 and English Learner and Immigrant Students (Added 5.8.20)
ESEA/ESSA Federal Funds Waiver Request
- ESEA/ESSA Federal Funds Waiver Request Form in Response to COVID‑19 School Closures in 2020 (Added 5.1.2020)
- ESEA/ESSA Federal Waiver Guidance (Added 5.1.2020)
- Title IV, Part A Waiver Guidance Q&A (Added 5.1.2020)

Federal CARES Act and ARP Act

ESSER 3.0 District Allocations (Added 3.22.21)
ARP ESSER Fund Methodology and Table (Added 3.22.21)
Elementary and Secondary Emergency School Relief (ESSER) Fund 2.0 Allowable Costs FAQ (Added 1.15.21)
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act
- Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS): Intent to Participate Form (Added 2.1.21)
State-level Strategy for CARES Act Set Aside (Added 5.29.20)
USEd: Certification and Agreement for Funding under the Education Stabilization Fund Program Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (Added 6.1.20)
USEd: Certification and Agreement for Funding under the Education Stabilization Fund Program Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (Added 6.1.20)
Tennessee ESSER Fund Certification & Agreement Part C Response (Added 6.1.20)
Grant Award Notification: GEER Fund (Added 6.1.20)
Grant Award Notification: ESSR Fund (Added 6.1.20)
CARES Act District Allocations (Added 4.17.20)

ARCHIVE: School Closure Toolkits

School Closure Toolkit: Staffing (PDF) (Updated 3.27.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Academics and Instruction (PDF) (Updated 4.14.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Health and Wellness (PDF) (Updated 3.25.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Early Childhood (PDF) (Updated 5.5.20)
School Closure Toolkit: School-administered Before/ After Care Programs (Added 5.5.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Nutrition (PDF) (Updated 5.19.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Safety and Operations (Published) (Added 3.20.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Safety and Operations (PDF) (Added 3.20.20)
School Closure Toolkit: IT and Distance Learning(PDF) (Updated 4.8.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Finance (PDF) (Added 3.25.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Families (Published) (Added 3.27.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Families (Spanish) (Added 5.4.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Special Populations (PDF) (Updated 5.12.20)
School Closure Toolkit: Fine Arts (PDF) (Added 4.7.20)

For the above documents, the Department of Education has created two versions of the toolkit: one in a designed format (Published) and one in simple text (PDF)

Press Releases

TDOE Releases 4th Set in Series of School Reopening Toolkits and Guidance to Support Local School District Plans (6.18.20)
Tennessee Department of Education Announces COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force (6.18.20)
TDOE Releases Third Set of School Reopening Toolkits to Provide Districts with Guidance and Resources to Prepare for Upcoming School Year (6.17.20)
TDOE Releases Second Set of School Reopening Toolkits to Provide School Districts with Resources and Guidance (6.16.20)
TDOE Releases First 5 School Reopening Toolkits to Provide Districts with Guidance and Resources after COVID-19 School Closures (6.15.20)
Over 550 Principals Have Participated in Tennessee Principal Professional Learning Series (6.15.20)
TDOE Announces $1 Million IDEA Innovation Grant (6.12.20)
TDOE Announces $5 Million in Grants to Districts to Support Students with Disabilities (6.3.20)
TDOE Announces Second Phase of PBS Partnership for Summer (6.1.20)
TDOE Launches TN Teacher Job Connection to Support Teacher Recruitment and Hiring (5.27.20)
8,000+ Teachers Register for Free Training on Digital Learning and Teaching (5.21.20)
TDOE Shares Video Messages from Tennessee Leaders & Celebrities to Congratulate Class of 2020 (5.19.20)
TDOE Partners with Trevecca to Provide Free Training for Tennessee Teachers on Digital Learning and Teaching (5.15.20)
TDOE Reaches +250K Views on COVID-19 Resources Webpage (5.13.20)
TDOE Announces $1 Million IDEA Technology Partnership Grant (4.27.20)
TDOE and UTK to Provide COVID-Related Professional Development for Tennessee Principals (4.24.20)
Statement from Commissioner Penny Schwinn on Governor’s Recommendation to Extend School Closures, Announcement of COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force (4.15.20)
TDOE and TSIN Release STEAM Resources for At-Home Learning (4.15.20)
TDOE Launches Survey to Solicit Public Feedback on Federal CARES Act (4.3.20)
TDOE Releases Schedule and Resources for Video Lessons Airing Statewide on PBS starting April 6th (4.3.20)
Tennessee Receives Key Education and Nutrition Waivers (4.1.20)
TDOE, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation Partner with ReadyRosie to Provide Free Early Education Resources to Families (3.30.20)
TDOE Announces Partnership with PBS to Deliver Daily Instructional Content for Tennessee Students (3.25.20)
Statement from Commissioner Penny Schwinn on Governor’s Recommendation to Extend School Closures (3.24.20)
Commissioner Schwinn Statement Regarding Meal Distribution in Shelby County (3.20.20)
TDOE Partners with Hoonuit to Provide Families Access to School Meal Finder (3.20.20)
Commissioner Schwinn Statement Regarding General Assembly Passage of Education Waivers Related to COVID-19 (3.19.20)
TDOE Receives Waivers for Continuing School Nutrition Programs during COVID-19 Closures (3.16.20)
Statement from Commissioner Penny Schwinn on School Closures (3.16.20)

Federal Waiver Requests

Tennessee USDA Waiver Request: SSO Area Eligibility Requirements
- USDA Approval Response: SSO Area Eligibility (Added 3.30.20)
Tennessee USDA Waiver Request: Meal Pattern Requirements
- USDA Nationwide Waiver: Meal Pattern Waiver (3.17.20)
USDA Nationwide Waiver: Parent Pickup (3.27.20)
Tennessee ESSA Title IV Waiver Request: Technology Caps
Waiver Request – Period of Performance, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Added 3.25.20)
Waiver Request for components of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V ) (Added 3.25.20)
- USEd Response to Perkins Waiver Request (Added 4.7.20)
Tennessee ESEA Waiver Request: Public Reporting Requirements (Added 3.25.20)
Tennessee COVID Fiscal Waiver Request (Added 4.6.20)
- USEd Response to Fiscal Waiver Request (Added 4.23.20)
Tennessee Perkins (Title 1) Waiver Request (Requested 4.28.20)
- USEd Reponse to Perkins (Title 1) Waiver Request (Added 5.15.20)

3/20/2020 Update from US Department of Education on Assessment and Accountability Waivers

Secretary DeVos letter to State Education Chiefs
Tennessee’s ESEA Waiver (Submitted 3/20/20)
- USEd Response to ESEA Waiver Request (Added 3.30.20)

Stakeholder Archive

Superintendent Calls

Other items

ARCHIVE: Additional Resources

For additional information on COVID-19, see the Tennessee Department of Health website: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.htm