U.S. Department of Education Announces Hurricane Flexibility Guidance

As part of its ongoing work to aid hurricane relief efforts, today the Department of Education released new non-regulatory guidance to help Department grantees and program participants remove barriers to restoring teaching and learning environments and to expediting the recovery process for all those impacted by the recent hurricanes.

"For children of affected families, returning to school can provide stability in a time of upheaval as they reconstruct their lives," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "The Department will continue to provide whatever flexibility and support it can to help ensure stakeholders have the resources they need to get these students back into the classroom as quickly as possible."

The newly released guidance provides support to state and local educational agencies, Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools, postsecondary institutions and other Department grantees and program participants in a variety of ways, while also covering topics specific to program areas.

Examples of such supports include:

  • Flexibility on reporting deadlines, timelines for grant-funded activities and maintenance of fiscal effort or matching requirements.
  • Potential alternatives and strategies for providing program services after disruption.
  • Suggested methods for ensuring continuity of services and communication with program participants.

To view the Non-Regulatory Guidance on Flexibility and Waivers for Grantees and Program Participants Impacted by Federally Declared Disasters, click here.

All interested parties are urged to contact the Department of Education with any requests for assistance beyond the scope of the documents released today. The Department is committed to collaborating with impacted parties, as well as other federal, state and local agencies to remove barriers and expedite the work necessary to respond to and recover from the recent hurricanes.

It is important to emphasize that this guidance addresses only federal requirements and flexibilities and that only state and local officials can address state and local requirements and flexibilities.

For additional resources on natural disasters click here.

 

Featured

  • UT-Austin Breaks Ground on 17-Story Business School

    The University of Texas at Austin recently broke ground on a new, 17-story facility that will serve as the new home for the school’s McCombs School of Business, according to university news. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 10 for Mulva Hall, which will include amenities like classrooms, academic department suites, research centers, faculty offices, the dean’s office, and gathering spaces.

  • Howard Community College President Joins National Research Council

    Howard Community College President Daria J. Willis was recently appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues, according to a news release.

  • Beeville ISD Starts Construction on New Elementary School

    The Beeville Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently began a construction project that will consolidate two existing, aging schools into a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects and Spawglass General Contractors for the design and construction, respectively, of the new facility.

  • Washington University School of Medicine Completes $165M Expansion Project

    The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., recently completed a vertical expansion of its Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health (BJCIH), according to a news release. The university partnered with Lawrence Group for the design of the six-floor addition, which cost about $165 million.

Digital Edition