Questions and Answers for K-12 Public Schools in the Current COVID-19 Environment

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Dear Education Leader:

The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is pleased to release new COVID-19-related technical assistance for elementary and secondary schools. The technical assistance document, Questions and Answers for K-12 Public Schools in the Current COVID-19 Environment, is issued primarily in response to inquiries received by the Department and provides important information related to schools’ obligations under Section 504/Title II, Title VI, and Title IX as schools continue to make decisions regarding the provision of educational services for all children.

OCR wants to ensure that schools have the tools and resources necessary to both meet the requirements of Federal civil rights laws and support school staff in providing the full benefit of educational opportunities for all students. For additional technical assistance, please contact OCR’s Center for Outreach, Prevention, Education, and Non-discrimination (OPEN) at OPEN@ed.gov. 

Related resources:

• OCR Webinar on Civil Rights and COVID-19 (July 9, 2020)
• Questions and Answers for Postsecondary Institutions Regarding the COVID-19 National Emergency (May 12, 2020)
• Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (March 21, 2020)
• OCR Short Webinar on Online Education and Website Accessibility (March 17, 2020)
• Fact Sheet on Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students. (March 16, 2020)
• March 4, 2020 OCR Coronavirus Statement (March 4, 2020)

A full list of the Department’s COVID-19-related resources are available at ed.gov under COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families.

Sincerely,

Kimberly M. Richey
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights