Waiver Letter

U nited States Department of Education

office of Elementary and secondary education

August XX, 2020

Dear Chief State School Officer:

I am writing to offer flexibility under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program (Title IV, Part A) in light of the continued disruption to learning caused by the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the national emergency declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

These are challenging times, and we recognize that many schools and communities are facing unprecedented obstacles as the 2020-2021 school year begins. Therefore, pursuant to my authority under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), I am inviting your State to request a waiver, for the 2020-2021 school year, of one or more of the following requirements in Title IV, Part A:

• Section 4106(d) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, related to LEA needs assessments.

• Section 4106(e)(2)(C), (D), and (E) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to content-area spending requirements for Title IV, Part A funds.

• Section 4109(b) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to the fifteen percent spending limitation for technology infrastructure for Title IV, Part A funds.

Please note that all other requirements in Title IV, Part A of the ESEA will continue to apply.

If your State is interested in requesting a waiver, please submit your request to [email protected]. Prior to submitting your request, as required under ESEA section 8401(b)(3)(A), you must provide the public and interested local educational agencies (LEAs) notice and a reasonable time for them to comment in the manner in which the SEA customarily provides notice, and an opportunity to comment to the public. For your convenience, enclosed please find an optional template that you may use to submit your request.

The Department is committed to ensuring that learning continues for all students during this difficult time. I encourage you to continue to monitor information regarding COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, and on the Department’s webpage at www.ed.gov/coronavirus.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our nation’s students during these extraordinary circumstances.

Sincerely,

Frank T. Brogan

Assistant Secretary for Elementary

and Secondary Education

Enclosure

cc: Title IV-A State Coordinators

400 MARYLAND AVE., SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20202

www.ed.gov

The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.