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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and Resources

ISBE is working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure we are providing the most current resources and guidance to support Illinois education communities regarding COVID-19. Please know that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will continue to share up-to-date information as it becomes available. Please find the current Public Health Guidance for Schools below:

LATEST UPDATES - August 10, 2022

  • Availability of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announces that it is providing a one-time bulk shipment of 1 million over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to K-12 public school districts outside of Chicago for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. The tests will be p​rovided free of charge. Click here for more information​​ on the availability of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen TestsPDF Document!​​​

 SUPPORTING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS - Last Update: November 15, 2021

​Achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination among eligible students as well as teachers, staff, and household members is one of the most critical strategies to help schools safely resume full operations. Please continue to promote and provide opportunities for your school community to get vaccinated.

 MESSAGES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT​ - Last Update: April 5, 2022

 IDPH SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES - Updated August 10, 2022

 PROGRAM RESOURCES - Last Update: January 26, 2021

​Transportation

​Wellness​

​KIDS​

​Special Education​

​Multilingual Education​

​Early Childhood Education​

​Homeless Education​

​Family Resources​

​NITA M. LOWEY 21ST CCLC

 FEDERAL FUNDING - ESSER - Last Update: August 19, 2022
  • FY 2023 LEA Maintenance of Equity Implementation Resources - Updated July 25, 2022

    The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) includes requirements for states and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) receiving Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. These requirements, known as Maintenance of Equity (MOEquity), protect certain high-poverty schools from disproportionate reductions in state and local funding and staffing in fiscal years (FY) 2022 and 2023. ISBE has published guidance for FY 2023 implementation. For questions not addressed in the resources below, please email ARPMOEQUITY@ISBE.net​​.

    • ISBE Resources
      • Notification to LEAs of FY 2023 ResourcesPDF Document - via ISBE Weekly July 26, 2022 
      • FY 2023 LEA Requirements WebinarGo To Meeting Link: This pre-recorded webinar provides an overview of MOEquity requirements for FY 2023. It is divided into two parts. Part I provides information that is relevant for all districts, including the criteria for exemption and how to complete the FY 2023 LEA MOEquity Exception Survey if required (see below). Part II is for non-exempt or excepted LEAs that must conduct the full fiscal and staffing equity tests required by MOEquity.
      • ​Exempt/Non Exempt LEAsExcel Document: ISBE used data from the Entity Profile System this year to pre-identify LEAs for exemption, per certain statute-defined criteria. Specifically, an LEA is exempt from MOEquity if it has home enrollment of fewer than 1,000 students, operates a single school, or serves all students within each grade span in a single school (e.g., one school each for K-5, 6-8, and 9-12). All LEAs should verify their exemption status by reviewing the exemption report, which identifies all LEAs as exempt or non-exempt. If ISBE has accurately identified your LEA as exempt, no further action is required. 
      • FY 2023 LEA MOEquity Exception Survey: This survey is required for all non-exempt LEAs and will support LEA leaders in determining steps to comply with MOEquity in FY 2023, including whether an LEA is eligible for the Certification of Exception (waiver). Additionally, an LEA that believes that there is an error in ISBE’s list of LEAs pre-identified for exemption can request a revision in the survey. The survey is due for all non-exempt LEAs by or before September 12.
      • FY 2023 MOEquity Demonstration ToolExcel Document: This ISBE-created worksheet will support LEAs not eligible for exemption or exception in conducting the fiscal and staffing equity tests required by MOEquity. A completed worksheet is due to ISBE by or before December 2.​
    • Federal Resources

  • FY 2022 Local Maintenance of Equity Reporting - Updated August 19, 2022

    The U.S. Department of Education published its Final Requirements for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund​ in the Federal Register on June 8. These requirements establish state reporting responsibilities regarding Local Education Agency (LEA) implementation of Maintenance of Equity (MOEquity). Each state must publish LEA-level MOEquity data on its website according to the following timeline:

    • July 8, 2022 – A list of LEAs that are excepted from MOEquity in fiscal year 2022, along with the identification of high-poverty schools for any non-excepted LEA. The ARP Act excepts an LEA from MOEquity if it has fewer than 1,000 students, has only one school, serves all students in each grade span in a single school, or certifies that it has not implemented an aggregate reduction in combined state and local per-pupil funding in FY 2022 compared to FY 2021.
    • November 1, 2022 – A list of LEAs that are excepted from MOEquity in FY 2023, along with the identification of high-poverty schools for any non-excepted LEA.
    • December 31, 2022 – The applicable LEA high-poverty school data for FY 2022. - Published August 19, 2022
    • December 31, 2023 – The applicable LEA high-poverty school data for FY 2023.

    Additionally, each state must publish a description by July 8 of how it will ensure that any non-excepted LEA is protecting its high-poverty schools from a disproportionate reduction in per-pupil funding or staffing as required by the ARP Act. Each state must also specify when it will require any non-compliant LEA to describe what adjustments it will make to be in compliance prior to the start of the next fiscal year.

    The spreadsheet below satisfies the requirement to publish a list of excepted districts, along with the identification of high-poverty schools in non-excepted LEAs, by July 8. Each LEA is identified by its unique identification codes (state and federal), along with its reason for exception. Eligibility for exception is monitored by reviewing enrollment data, current building configurations, and financial information. High-poverty schools are identified for any LEAs that did not meet the criteria for exception.

    ISBE has established the following procedures to ensure that each non-excepted LEA is complying with the fiscal and staffing equity tests established in the ARP Act of 2021:

    1. Non-excepted LEAs must conduct the required fiscal and staffing tests using actual expenditures from the baseline year and budgeted expenditures for the comparison year. Results must be submitted to ISBE by early December of each fiscal year (i.e., December 3, 2021 for FY 2022 and December 2, 2022 for FY 2023). Guidance and tools for conducting the required tests are shared with districts annually.
    2. By the deadline communicated for each fiscal year, LEAs that determine they have not maintained fiscal and/or staffing equity in high-poverty schools must submit a plan describing what adjustments they will make to be in compliance prior to the start of the next fiscal year. ISBE will review these plans and provide technical assistance, as necessary.

  • IL ESSER Dashboard

    This dashboard represents the most up-to-date financial picture pertaining to the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds in Illinois. It provides insight into each school district’s allocation of the three ESSER funds – Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ESSER (ESSER I), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act ESSER (ESSER II), and American Rescue Plan ESSER (ESSER III). You can find how much in funds were allocated to each district, as well as how much of these funds districts have spent and have remaining.

  • ESSER Recipient Data Collection Year 2 Report Step by Step Webinar​ - April 22, 2022​
  • Instructions for Looking Up Expenditure Details for ESSER Grants in FRISPDF Document - February 7, 2022​
  • ESSER Fact SheetPDF Document - February 7, 2022​
  • Blending and Braiding Funds ​

    The Illin​ois State Board of Education has released a webinar for district- and school-level administrators. Leveraging Resources: Blending and Braiding Funds will assist districts in maximizing the use of the additional funds that districts have received. The webinar is specifically designed to help district administrative teams plan holistically, develop cohesive programs and services, and ensure sustainability through blending and braiding of federal, state, and local funds.

  • TOTAL ESSER
  • ARP ESSER
  • ESSER II

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - Updated January 15, 2021

 PPE & CLEANING SUPPLIES MASTER CONTRACTS - Last Update: September 23, 2021

​There are currently master contracts available through the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) that allow districts to enter into contracts with vendors to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies without having to engage in the competitive bidding process. View the contracts, vendor contact information, and item inventory lists below. Districts should contact the vendors directly for purchasing and determine the vendor that best suits their needs. See the below agency contact information for questions regarding procurement. There are also vendor contracts available through the Education Purchasing Program. Select the link below to view all vendor information and next steps for ordering PPE and cleaning supplies.

 EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Last Update: January 11, 2022
  • Executive Order 2022-03PDF Document - Updates exclusion protocols in schools for individuals who are a confirmed or probable case, close contact, or symptomatic to reflect the shortened quarantine and isolation periods recommended by the CDC​ - January 11, 2022
  • Executive Order 2021-25​PDF Document - Amends provisions in Executive Order 2021-24, which clarifies schools’ authority to exclude students and school personnel from school premises when they are a confirmed or probable case, close contact, or symptomatic.​ - September 21, 2021
  • ISBE and IDPH Fact SheetPDF Document -  Summarizes Executive Order 2021-24 and IDPH’s administrative rules to implement the order.
  • Executive Order 2021-22​PDF Document - extends the deadline for school personnel to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or submit to at least weekly testing - September 3, 2021​
  • Executive Order 2021-20​PDF Document - requires all school personnel to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or submit to at least weekly testing - August 26, 2021
  • Executive Order 2020-73PDF Document - issues Tier 3 Mitigation order effective Nov. 20, 2020. - November 18, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-47​PDF Document all public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students may open for in-person educational purposes following the completion of the regular 2019-20 school term. All public and nonpublic schools must follow IDPH and ISBE guidance during Phase 4 and take proactive measures to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors, including, but not limited to the public health guidelines. - July 24, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-44​PDF Documentre-issues previous Executive Orders in response to the epidemic emergency and public health emergency - June 26, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-40​PDF Document allows for limited in-person instruction, in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.​ - June 4, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-33​PDF Document​​ extends suspension of in-person instruction through end of 2019-20 academic year - April 30, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-31​​PDF Document waives specific licensure requirements and graduation and coursework requirements. - April 24, 2020​​
  • Executive Order 2020-30PDF Document extends the stay at home order through May 30, 2020; allows for educational institutions to establish procedures for pick-up of supplies and student belongings. - April 23, 2020​
  • Executive Order 2020-15PDF Document suspends all state assessments, creates Remote Learning Days and Remote Learning Plan Days, addresses Early Childhood Block Grant funds, and permits virtual submission of school construction bids. - March 27, 2020​
  • Executive Order 2020-10​​PDF Document - with exceptions, requires all individuals currently living within the State of Illinois to stay at home or at their place of residence. Among other changes, extends mandated statewide school closure through April 7, 2020.​ - March 20, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-07 ​PDF Documentincludes Open Meetings Act flexibility. ​- March 16, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-06​​PDF Document exempts schools operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, State Board of Education or Department of Human Services from EO 2020-05. ​- March 15, 2020
  • Executive Order 2020-05​​PDF Document requires all public and non-public schools to close beginning on Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30. At this time, schools may reopen on Tuesday, March 31. ​- ​March 15, 2020​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 EMERGENCY RULEMAKING - Last Update: September 21, 2021

  • September 2021
    • ISBE and IDPH Fact SheetPDF Document -  Summarizes Executive Order 2021-24 and IDPH’s administrative rules to implement the order.​
    • Emergency rule for Part 6PDF Document supports schools and school districts in implementing Executive Order 2021-22, which requires that all school personnel either receive the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo at least weekly testing. The Executive Order establishes the effective date for school personnel to be fully vaccinated or to begin at least weekly testing as September 19, 2021. Emergency rules are needed to provide schools and school districts with sufficient clarity and detail regarding implementation of the Executive Order and required record keeping by the effective date of the new requirement. The emergency rules will provide necessary support for schools and school districts to protect the health and safety of students, school personnel, and their broader communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. – Sept. 17, 2021​

  • ​

 Emergency Actions

​The Illinois State Board of Education provides the following links to guidance by federal and state entities as a convenient resource for schools and stakeholders; the links do not constitute an endorsement of the resource. Prior to relying on any information in a resource, the Illinois State Board of Education recommends that schools and stakeholders confirm the accuracy of all resources directly with the underlying source.​​​​

 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UPDATES & GUIDANCE - Last Update: May 13, 2021

 OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL GUIDANCE - Last Update: July 2, 2020
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 CDC UPDATES & GUIDANCE - Last Update: January 4, 2021
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 DCFS & CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS OF ILLINOIS RESOURCES - Latest Update: April 24, 2020

Please help protect Illinois children's safety and wellbeing by staying in daily contact with students. If you suspect abuse or neglect, you have a social responsibility to report it to the hotline. In addition, state law requires that teachers, school personnel, child care workers, educational advocates assigned to a child pursuant to the School Code, and truancy officers, among others, report suspected neglect or abuse. These individuals are called Mandated Reporters. Please view and share the following fact sheets about protecting students from abuse during the COVID-19 crisis:

Find more information about reporting from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.​​

 ALL RESOURCES

Additional Resources

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021-22

Back to School 2020-21

General Guidance

IDPH Supplemental Resources

Staffing

Transition Considerations

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