This joint Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) written by Swati Adarkar, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning, U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Katie Hamm, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlights various sources of funding streams to support high…

This guidance is intended to clarify that the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in 45 C.F.R. Part 1302 Subpart C--Education and Child Development Program Services are required for preschool programs supported with funds under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and provide…

It is important for educators to collect accurate information on the academic performance of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who may be assessed with an Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS) to inform decisions about resources, programs, instruction, and individualized…

This guidance is intended to assist State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools in understanding, implementing, and expanding preschool programs supported with funds under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). This non-regulatory guidance has been revised to…

On January 19, 2021, the author of this letter sent the final "Frequently Asked Questions: Impact of COVID-19 on Accountability Systems Required under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)," and accompanying "State Plan Addendum template," that provide responses to questions that States have raised regarding…

Arts education--including dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts--is key to equitable access to a well-rounded education and central to the shared commitment to ensure that every student receives high-quality instruction that prepares them to be active, engaged, and lifelong learners. This letter describes expanding access to the arts…

This document to State Title I Directors answers common questions about how the Title I carryover waiver of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) is applied to local educational agencies (LEAs). Questions include: (1) What does a waiver related to the carryover limitation in section 1127(b) of the ESEA allow?; (2) When the…

To address the extraordinary circumstances of extended and widespread closures of schools upon in-person instruction due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), on March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) invited, pursuant to section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), each State…

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) continually seeks opportunities to ease administrative burdens on State educational agencies (SEAs) while ensuring strong fiscal and programmatic accountability. This letter grants limited prior approval to SEAs to approve pre-award costs and participant support costs for subgrantees for programs in…