DEC 17, 2021
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share the Draft Frequently Asked Questions: Impact of COVID-19 on 2021-2022 Accountability Systems Required under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The purpose of this draft document is to support State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools as they implement accountability and school improvement requirements under section 1111 of the ESEA. The Department recognizes that there may be questions as SEAs prepare to implement their systems this year. As SEAs consider changes to their accountability systems due to the impact of COVID-19, this is also an opportunity for SEAs to consider ways they can refine and further strengthen these systems consistent with ESEA requirements. In developing this document, the Department has sought to answer a number of the frequently asked questions posed by teachers, school and LEA leaders, SEA representatives, civil rights organizations, education advocates, and policymakers.
The Department is providing an opportunity for the public to comment on this document through January 16, 2022. We ask that you refrain from providing line-edits of the document. Instead, please submit substantive comments about the content of the draft, including feedback on any additional topics you would like to see included, to OESE.Feedback@ed.gov. We will consider comments in making revisions but will not provide responses to individual comments.
The document is available at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/school-support-and-accountability/title-i-part-a-program/resources/.
As always, please contact us at OESE.titlei-a@ed.gov with any questions or if we can be of assistance. I hope everyone has a nice holiday season and a happy new year.
Best,
Patrick
Patrick Rooney, Director
School Support and Accountability
