[S-SARA] April 6, 2020 UPDATE from USDOE on Guidance for Interruptions of Study Related to Coronavirus

[Elisa Jaden]

Hello WCET members – On Friday April 3, the U.S. Department of Education issued "Updated Guidance for interruptions of study related to the... -posted to the "WCET News" community
Courtesy of WCET News and Russ Poulin

On Friday April 3, the U.S. Department of Education issued "Updated Guidance for interruptions of study related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)<https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fifap.ed.gov%2Felectronic-announcements%2F040320UPDATEDGuidanceInterruptStudyRelCOVID19&data=01%7C01%7Celisa.jaden%40sreb.org%7C6b1797225a78490620e708d7d9c8f611%7Ceb20950b168c497a98452b099844f3ef%7C0&sdata=iLGkw3FaTPJD99CVMhu82dnN1QR3DsMRjSCuAM7ShDY%3D&reserved=0>" that updates information originally released on March 5  and updated on March 20.  Included is new information regarding compliance expectations, resources, waivers for institutional approvals, accrediting agency approvals, and other federal financial aid regulations.

Items of note are as follows:

  *   Extended Timeline: The Department extended the flexibilities provided to courses that began face-to-face then transitioned to distance learning due to the need for social-distancing. The Department stated: "We thus extend those flexibilities to any payment period or term beginning between March 5, 2020, and June 1, 2020, inclusive."
  *   FERPA: The Department reminds us to follow FERPA requirements and suggests several resources including "…toolkits, letters, and Q&As on information security best practices, the use of the school official exception under FERPA, classroom observations, and the use of emails, videos, and other virtual learning tools."
  *   Accessibility (be sure to read Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act in its entirety). The Department states both:
     *   The Department Understands – the Department acknowledged the “unique and ever-changing environment of these exceptional circumstances may affect how education, including needed accommodations for students with disabilities, is provided. Institutions should not decline to provide distance instruction, at the expense of most students, to address matters pertaining to accommodations for students with disabilities...the Department understands that, during this national emergency, postsecondary institutions may not be able to provide services in the same manner as they typically would for the rest of the academic year.”
     *   The Department Expects Accommodations –the Department expects students with disabilities to be served, stating that "Postsecondary students with disabilities must receive academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, and reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures, where doing so would not impose an undue burden nor cause a fundamental alteration…Whether an institution serves students in a brick-and-mortar or an online environment, the institution must ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to access educational programs, consistent with protecting the health and safety of the student and those providing that education to the student."
S-SARA
Southern Regional Education Board
(404) 879-5517
SARA at sreb.org<mailto:SARA at sreb.org>






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