Updates from MDE: 04-02-2021

department of education

April 2, 2021

Updates in this email:

ESSER II Allocations Posted

The allocations for ESSER II have been posted on the CARES Act Funding webpage (under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund section).

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expanded to all Minnesotans 16+

As of Tuesday, March 30, 2021, every Minnesotan 16 years of age and older will be eligible to get a shot. Not everyone will be able to get a shot on demand right away. Though we are getting more doses than ever, we are not going to get all that we need, all at once. All Minnesotans ages 16 and up are encouraged to sign up for the Vaccine Connector, https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov, to get updates on vaccination opportunities in your area and be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites. You can register for the Vaccine Connector in your preferred language. Use the link at the top right corner to switch to Spanish, Hmong, or Somali.

We encourage you to use our Stay Safe MN graphics. Please download these images to use on social media, Social Media Messaging for COVID-19 Vaccination, https://mn.gov/covid19/share-our-message/social/index.jsp

Updated Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Persons

MDH guidance for quarantine after vaccination has been updated to remove the 90 day time limit. If someone is fully vaccinated and is exposed, they do not need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:

  • The COVID-19 exposure was at least 14 days after their vaccination series was fully completed.
  • They do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Pandemic EBT: Thank You Message

Despite the challenges facing schools this year, you stepped up to make sure that Minnesota students will receive almost $50 million in P-EBT food benefits this month. Millions of more dollars will continue to be issued each month through July.  

Please read the thank you message from Commissioner of Education Dr. Heather Mueller, Commissioner of Human Services Jodi Harpstead, and Commissioner of Minnesota Information Technology (IT) Services Tarek Tomes.

Read Well by Third Grade Data and Plan Submission Opens

The site for the annual data and plan submission, as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.12 (Read Well by Third Grade), on reading proficiency for all students in kindergarten through grade two, is now available. This data:

  • Is required of all Minnesota districts and charter schools that enroll students in grades K-2.
  • Is due by July 1, 2021.
  • Reflects required components of the World’s Best Workforce legislation, Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11, subdivision 1.
  • Is required to receive Literacy Incentive Aid as provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98, subdivision 1.
  • Includes requirements to report district efforts to screen and identify students with characteristics of dyslexia.
    • Please complete both columns of data on the submission; total number of students screened and total number of students identified.
    • There are additional resources and guidance to support districts with dyslexia on the MDE Dyslexia There are also new and updated questions about dyslexia in the Frequently Asked Questions: Read Well Data and Plan Submission guidance document found on the MDE Read Well K-3 Data and Plan Upload webpage.

How to access the submission:

The application is available through the secure access of the MDE user account system, Education Identity and Access Management (EDIAM). Access to this system should be requested from the district IOwA. Access to the Read Well Data and Plan Submission application and further information can be found on the Reading K-3 Data and Plan Upload page. For access to the Read Well by Third Grade Data and Plan Submission application, contact your district Identified Official with Authority (IOwA).

Questions about the submission:

For literacy content and submission support, contact Jennifer Wazlawik, Literacy Specialist.

For specific dyslexia support, contact Amy Schulting, Dyslexia Specialist.

Science and English Language Arts Standards Implementation Delay

To provide flexibility for districts in implementing new standards as the state emerges from COVID-19, MDE will be delaying the required implementation of the Science and the English Language Arts standards to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, respectively. Implementation dates for each content area are set as part of the rulemaking process to allow flexibility for implementation needs. With both of these two content areas still in the rulemaking process, MDE will use that opportunity to update the proposed rule language to reflect the new implementation date. Since the MCAs are based on the standards, the Science MCA – IV will be delayed until the spring of 2025 for grades five, eight, and high school, and the Reading MCA – IV will be delayed until the spring of 2026 for grades three through eight and high school. Although districts are not required to begin work to implement the standards, MDE will continue to engage in test specifications and development to be prepared for the MCA – IVs in spring of 2025 and 2026. 

Important note: Due to the fact that the Arts and Physical Education standards have already gone through rulemaking, MDE does not have the authority to delay implementation of these standards; therefore, these standards will move forward with implementation as scheduled. There is still legislation currently being considered that would delay implementation of the Arts and Physical Education standards.

Reminder: Summer Programming Information Needed by April 23

MDE has approval to allocate federal funding to districts and charter schools to expand and enhance summer programs. Schools offering in-person state approved programming qualify. Funding can be used in the following ways:

  • To hire more staff in order to offer expanded eligibility to all students for summer learning and enrichment.
  • To enhance the effectiveness of programs by allowing smaller class sizes.
  • To expand programming: offering more hours per day or by increasing the number of days.
  • To offer enrichment that supports the academic portion of the program by partnering with community organizations.
  • To provide student transportation to and from summer programs.
  • To purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff providing direct support services.

Initial estimates indicate that the allocations will equate to approximately $4 per student membership hour. The program will submit final student enrollment at the end of the program in order to determine total membership hours. A membership hour is every hour a student is enrolled in the program. In order to estimate how many hours of summer programming there might be, and to allow us to provide a partial payment based on this information, superintendents and charter school directors (or a designee) must complete the Summer Program Planning Form by April 23, 2021.

For more information, contact Mary Barrie, mary.barrie@state.mn.us or Sally Reynolds at sally.reynolds@state.mn.us.

Training Opportunities, Important Dates and Announcements

Implementation and Educational Leadership: Two Day Circle Sessions June 22-23 and 24-25

Two-day circle sessions are part of the Minnesota Department of Education School Climate Center Restorative Practices (RP) in Schools and Communities Online Sessions and Trainings June 14-25, 2021. Registration is open! School administrators may earn ten administrative continuing education units, while exploring with peers the philosophical and practical implications of building and leading a restorative school. Secondary, elementary, and ALC administrators as well as district restorative practices coordinators will share their journeys of implementation and how they built their restorative mindsets. Educational leaders, both formal and informal, are welcome. The RP Online Training Descriptions and Frequently Asked Questions about RP Online can be found on the Restorative Practices website.

For further information, contact Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist, at 651-582-8433.

Guide to Addressing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students with Disabilities

Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) developed a Guide to Addressing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students with Disabilities and an FAQ on its Guide to Addressing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students with Disabilities. These documents assist school districts, charter schools and parents/guardians in making equitable and individualized determinations of appropriate extended school year (ESY) services, general education recovery services, revised individualized education program (IEP) services and COVID-19 compensatory services for students with disabilities related to their disrupted education or inability to access appropriate special education and related services during the COVID-19 pandemic. View the Guide and FAQ on MDE's Special Education COVID-19 Resources webpage under Due Process or on the main Special Education webpage.

For assistance with questions related to this FAQ document or the Guide to Addressing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students with Disabilities, please contact MDE’s Division of Assistance and Compliance, Dispute Resolution Team or call 651-582-8689.

For assistance with questions related to special education funding, please contact MDE’s School Finance Division, Special Education Funding