Guidance for P-12 Schools

Additional Memos and Resources from NYSED

• Health Precautions for Schools in Winter 2022-23 - December 5, 2022
• Providing Over-Age Students the Opportunity to Return to School in the 2022-23 School Year Due to the Impact of COVID-19 - August 1, 2022
• Administration of the June and August 2022 Regents Examinations - March 15, 2022
• Updated Joint NYS DOH/NYSED School Mask Guidance - March 1, 2022
  • Please find updated school mask guidance and an FAQ document regarding the public health changes, effective Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at:
    • NYS DOH Schools & Youth web page; and
    • NYS DOH Isolation and Quarantine web page
  • A joint NYS DOH/NYSED letter to the field regarding this guidance is also posted on the websites above. Thank you for your ongoing work. Together, and with the assistance of this guidance, we will ensure that all students in our state have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
• Updated Quarantine and Isolation and Test to Stay Guidance from the New York State Department of Health - February 4, 2022
  • Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
  • Isolation and Quarantine Tables
  • New Isolation and Quarantine Guidance Update: Revised Updated Testing and Quarantine Supplemental Information
• Update from Commissioner Betty A. Rosa Regarding the Status of Mask Wearing in Schools - January 28, 2022
• Statement from Commissioner Rosa on Granting of Stay in Mask Case - January 25, 2022
• Nassau County Mask Ruling - Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. - Updated January 25, 2022
• New York State Department of Health Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance - January 18, 2022
• Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance - January 4, 2022
• Cancellation of the January 2022 Administration of the New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examination Program in Response to the Ongoing Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic - December 21, 2021
  • Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Cancellation of the January 2022 New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examinations - January 2022
• Additional Flexibility in the Timelines for Using Funds Associated with Approved 2019-20 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Funded Grant Programs - November 9, 2021
• Information from Governor Kathy Hochul's Office on School Reopening Resources - September 7, 2021
• Memo: Extension of Deadline for Submission of Local Educational Agency (LEA) Applications for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Part 2 ESSER Funds - August 27, 2021
• Public Comment Period: NYSED Request for Public Comments on Waivers to Increase the Statutory Limit on Carryover for FY 2020 Title I, Part A Funds, to Extend Availability of Federal FY 2019 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Funds - August 26, 2021
• Forthcoming Back to School Health and Safety Guidance - August 10, 2021
• Memo: CDC & AAP Guidance on School Opening 2021-22 - July 29, 2021
• Memo: Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Funding – Instructions for Eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on Applying for 90% Base ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds and Revised ARP ESSER Allocations – July 21, 2021
• Memo: Use of Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds to Provide Recovery Services to Students Over the Age of 21 – July 21, 2021
• OSC Accounting Bulletin on Federal Education Stimulus Funding – July 1, 2021
• United States Department of Education (USDE) Waiver of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Accountability and Report Card Provisions for the 2020-21 School Year – June 22, 2021
• Revised Local Educational Agency Allocations of Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Funding – June 18, 2021
• January 2022 Regents Examination in United States History and Government (Framework) Diploma Requirement Exemption – June 2021
• Youth Development Survey (YDS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) - June 11, 2021
• Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education in Response to COVID-19– June 11, 2021
• Extension of Deadline for Submission of LEA Applications for CRRSA Act Funding – June 10, 2021
• U.S. Department of Education Guidance on Federal American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund Maintenance of Equity Requirements – June 9, 2021
• U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Frequently Asked Questions on Use of  Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds – May 27, 2021
• Provision of Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children and Youth – May 26, 2021
• Information for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on Federally Required Plans for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds – May 19, 2021
• Mandatory Collection of Student Enrollment, Free and Reduced-Price Eligibility, and Instructional Modality Data for the Issuance of Pandemic Food Benefits – May 18, 2021
• Information for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Plan State Budget Language – May 17, 2021
• 2021-22 School Year COVID-19 Snow Day Pilot Program – May 2021
• Information for Eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on Applying for Federal American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) Funds - May 12, 2021
• Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) Funding – Instructions for Eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on Applying for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER 2) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds (GEER 2) – May 10, 2021
• 2021 NYSED Summer School Handbook – May 5, 2021
• Memo: Local Educational Agency Allocations of Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Funding – May 4, 2021
• Submission of Revised School Reopening Plans – April 19, 2021
• Guidance on Supporting Student Mental Health – April 16, 2021
• Implementation Extension of the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics and NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards – April 14, 2021
  • New York State Next Generation English Language Arts (ELA) Learning Standards Instruction and Assessment Implementation Timeline
  • New York State Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards Instruction and Assessment Implementation Timeline
  • New York State P-12 Science Standards Development, Adoption, and Implementation
• Providing Over-Age Students the Opportunity to Return to School in the 2021-22 School Year Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic – April 13, 2021
• School District Budget Coding of Federal Education Stimulus Funding – April 12, 2021
• Updated Interim Guidance for in-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – April 9, 2021
• Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding - April 5, 2021
• Guidance on Impact of Revised Regents Examination Schedule on Hourly Instructional and 180 Session Day Requirements – March 31, 2021
• Spring 2021 Assessment Guidance and Resources
  • Memo: Exemptions from Diploma Requirements and Cancellation of the August 2021 Administration of the New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examination Program in Response to the Ongoing Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic – March 19, 2021
  • Frequently Asked Questions Related to the June 2021 and August 2021 Exemptions from Diploma Requirements – March 19, 2021
  • 2021 Elementary- and Intermediate-level Testing Schedule
  • June 2021 High School Regents Examination Schedule
  • Memo: Regents Exams Required by USDE to be Offered in June / August 2021 – March 2, 2021
  • Find additional Spring 2021 Assessment Guidance and Resources on NYSED's Office of State Assessment website.
• 2020-21 Preschool Special Education Closures Due to COVID-19 – February 2021
• In-person learning, sports participation and COVID-19 testing – Last amended February 18, 2021
• Guidance to Local Education Agencies to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness – February 16, 2021
• Update on Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) Funding – February 9, 2021
• Navigating K-12 Educational Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic: New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the NYS Education Department (NYSED) Joint Guidance for Educators and Child Welfare Workers – February 4, 2021
• Memo: Flexibility in the Use of Title IV, Part A Funds Associated with Approved 2020-21 Consolidated Applications for ESSA-Funded Programs - January 22, 2021
• Memo: Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) Funding
• Supporting the Graduating Class of 2021 – January 13, 2021
• Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement – January 10, 2021
• Flexibility in the 1,200 Minute Science Laboratory Requirement – December 17, 2020
• Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement – December 11, 2020
• Memo to Religious and Independent School Leaders: Notification to the Commissioner of Education When Closing a School Building due to the COVID-19 Pandemic – December 2020
• Memo: Parental Right to Decline Examination Waivers – December 2020
  • Regents Examination Exemption Declination Form for Parents – December 2020
• Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Red” or “Orange” Cluster Zones Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative – December 4, 2020
• Recent Amendments to Education Law §2801-a Regarding Pandemic Planning – December 3, 2020
• Welcoming Student Teachers into School Districts – December 1, 2020
• Additional Addendum to Interim Guidance on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing in Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Yellow Zones” Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative – Updated November 14, 2020
• Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement – November 10, 2020
• Transportation Reimbursement During Periods of Program Closure – November 6, 2020
• January 2021 Regents Examinations Cancelled Due to Ongoing Pandemic – November 5, 2020
  • Memo: Cancellation of the January 2021 Administration of the New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examination Program in Response to the Ongoing Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic – November 5, 2020
  • Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Cancellation of the January 2021 New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examinations – November 5, 2020 (Last updated January 20, 2021)
• Responding to the Challenges of Learning in Masked Environments – October 23, 2020
• Fall 2020 Digital Equity Survey – October 21, 2020
• Driver Traffic and Safety Education (DTSE) Frequently Asked Questions – October 20, 2020
• New York State Department of Health Pre-K through Grade 12 Toolkit – September 30, 2020
• Procedures for Requesting, Shipping, and Storing of Materials for the Spring 2021 Administration of the New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts and Mathematics Tests and Information on Computer-Based Testing for Spring 2021 –  September 30, 2020
• 2021 State Assessment Letter – September 30, 2020
• Public Comment Period - 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  Comments accepted through October 1, 2020
• Update on Providing Equitable Services to Students and Teachers in Non-Public Schools with Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding - September 11, 2020
• Guidance on Pupil Transportation for Resident Students Attending Non-District Instruction During Periods of Remote Instruction for District Students –  September 9, 2020
• 2020-21 School Reopening – Instructional Models Report and Report of School Closure and Report of School Reopening – September 9, 2020
• 2020-21 School Reopening – Instructional Models Report and Report of School Closure and Report of School Reopening for Approved Special Education Programs – September 9, 2020
• 2020-21 School Year COVID-19 Snow Day Pilot Program - September 2020
• Eligibility for Interscholastic Athletics, Inclusive Athletics and Extracurricular Activities - September 1, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Clinical Hours Required for Secondary Nurse Aide Training, Home Health Aide Training, and Emergency Medical Technician Training Programs in Response to COVID-19 - August 28, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education in Response to COVID-19 - August 26, 2020
• Guidance Related to Hand Sanitizer on School Buses - August 21, 2020
• Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding - July 20, 2020
• Providing Equitable Services to Non-Public Schools – July 7, 2020
• Memo: COVID-19 Student Information Repository System (SIRS) End of Year Certification Data – July 6, 2020
• Memo: Feeding Children in Need and Child Care for Essential Workers During the Summer – June 24, 2020
• Handbook for Summer School Administrators and Principals 2020
• CPSE Considerations for Conducting Preschool Evaluations during COVID-19 – June 22, 2020
• Memo: Supplement #3 - Provision of Services to Students With Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in New York State – June 20, 2020
• Memo: Supplement #2 - Provision of Services to Students With Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in New York State – June 20, 2020
• Memo: Providing Over-Age Students the Opportunity to Return to School in the 2020-21 School Year Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic – June 18, 2020
• Memo: Section 100.2(c)(11) of Commissioner's Regulations Hands Only CPR Requirement Exemption for Graduating Seniors Due to the COVID-19 Crisis – June 11, 2020
• Providing Equitable Services to Non-Public Schools Under the CARES Act – June 9, 2020
• Flexibility for the Administration of Technical Skills Exams Conferring Industry-Recognized Credentials to Secondary Career and Technical Education Students – June 4, 2020
• Memo: COVID-19 SIRS Reporting Guidance: Day Calendar and Attendance – June 4, 2020
  • COVID-19 SIRS Reporting Guidance: Day Calendar, Student Daily Attendance and Teacher Attendance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Memo: Reporting of Student Exemptions for the June and August 2020 Regents and Approved Alternative Examinations in SIRS in Response to COVID-19 Related School and District Closures – June 4, 2020
  • COVID-19 SIRS Reporting of June and August 2020 Regents Exemptions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• High School Equivalency Diplomas during COVID-19 – June 3, 2020
• Parental Right to Decline Examination Waivers – May 27, 2020
• Regents Examination and Graduation Requirements: Questions Related to COVID-19 Closure – Updated May 26, 2020
  NYSED has amended the Question and Answer Document related to Graduation and Diploma Requirements in light of COVID-19. New and revised questions are highlighted in this document. 
• School Health Examinations in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic – May 21, 2020
• Provision of Services to English Language Learners and World Languages Students – May 13, 2020
• 2019-20 Title I School Improvement Grants (SIG) Basic - Planning Grants – May 13, 2020
• Supporting Students and Families Disconnected from School – May 11, 2020
• Claiming Eligible COVID-19 Costs to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Funding – May 6, 2020
• Guidance on Secondary Perkins V Local Applications in Response to COVID-19 – May 6, 2020
• Carrying-Over 2019-20 School Year State Funding into 2020-21 – May 5, 2020
• Public Comment Period: NYSED Request for Public Comments on Waivers to Increase the Statutory Limit on Carryover for FY 2019 Title I, Part A Funds, to Extend Availability of Federal FY 2018 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Funds, and to Increase Flexibility in the Use of Title IV, Part A Funds to Support Continuity of Services – May 5, 2020
• Public Comment Period: NYSED Request for Public Comments on Waiver to Extend Availability of Federal FY 2018 Perkins and Adult Education/Family Literacy Funds – May 5, 2020
• Cancellation of the August 2020 Administration of the New York State High School Regents Examination Program - April 30, 2020
• Federal CARES Act Funding – April 30, 2020
• Memo: Supplement #1 – Provision of Services to Students with Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak in New York State – Additional Questions and Answers – April 27, 2020
• Guidance on Federal Funds Affected by COVID-19 – April 24, 2020
• Flexibility in the Use of Funds Associated with Approved 2019-20 Consolidated Applications for ESSA-Funded Programs During District and School Closures Due to COVID-19 – April 24, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Work-Based Learning Programs in Response to COVID-19 – April 20, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Appearance Enhancement Programs in Response to COVID-19 – April 20, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education in Response to COVID-19 – April 20, 2020
• Memo: 2019-20 Accountability Implications Based on April 2020 United States Department of Education Waivers and Changes to Commissioner’s Regulations §100.21 to Address the COVID-19 Crisis – April 17, 2020
• Resources for Providing Meals during COVID-19 School Closures – April 17, 2020
• Memo: Emergency Regulations for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services and Due Process Procedures in Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak in New York State – April 16, 2020
• Memo: Required Actions and Funding Levels for Target Districts, Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Schools, and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) Schools​ – April 13, 2020
• Memo: Updated Guidance on Clinical Hours Required for Nurse Aide Training, Home Health Aide Training, and Emergency Medical Technician Training Programs in Response to COVID-19 - April 10, 2020
• Memo: Cancellation of the June 2020 Administration of the New York State (NYS) High School Regents Examination Program in Response to COVID-19 Related School and District Closures – April 7, 2020
• Memo: Special Education SOCE Limited Extension – April 2020
• Clarification on 180-day Requirements in Light of Executive Orders – March 30, 2020
• Memo: Provision of Services to Students with Disabilities During Statewide School Closures Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak in New York State – March 27, 2020
• Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19 – March 26, 2020
• NYSED Request for Waiver of Assessments, Accountability and School Identification, and Reporting Requirements Public Comment Period – March 26, 2020
• Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education in Response to COVID-19 – March 25, 2020
• Essential Personnel for Child Care, Child Nutrition and Continuity of Learning – March 23, 2020
• Memo: Suspension for the New York State Elementary- and Intermediate-Level State Assessments for the Remainder of the School Year in Response to COVID-19 Related School and District Closures – March 20, 2020
• Statement Regarding Elementary- and Intermediate-Level State Assessments – March 20, 2020
• NYSED and New York’s Public Television Stations Announce Expanded Remote Learning During Statewide School Closure – March 20, 2020
• NYSED Guidance to Approved Special Education Schools Regarding Novel Coronavirus and Executive Order 202.4 – March 20, 2020
• Guidance and Resources for Emergency Child Care – March 19, 2020
  • Additional Guidance on Child Care Plans – March 19, 2020
  • School Emergency Child Care Guidance from OCFS – March 18, 2020
  • Group Child Care Inspection Checklist
  • Emergency Child Care Reservation Form - Completed by Parent
  • Emergency Child Care Employment Form - Completed by Adult Candidate
• Suspension of the Spring 2020 Grades 3–8 English Language Arts Test Shipments and Computer-based Test Window Opening – March 17, 2020
• Operating Child Nutrition Programs when Schools are Closed due to COVID-19 – March 12, 2020
• Notification Regarding Closure of a School Building – March 6, 2020
• Notification Regarding Closure of a Nonpublic School – March 6, 2020
• Handwashing Recommendations and Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Use in Schools – March 5, 2020
• Joint NYS Department of Health – NYS Education Department Coronavirus Letter – February 5, 2020
• Coronavirus Parent Letter - February 5, 2020

Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education & the Federal Government

• Emergency Meals-To-You (eMTY) Program for Rural Schools
• Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities – March 21, 2020
• Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations – March 19, 2020
• Updated Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education – March 12, 2020:
  • Fact Sheet: Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
  • Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
  • Webinar: Providing Services to Students with Disabilities During the 2019 Coronavirus Outbreak
  • FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel from the U.S. Department of Education

Guidance from the CDC

• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the U.S. Department of Education
• Pandemic Flu Checklist: K-12 School Administrators

Cleaning Products

• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Fighting Products

NYS Center for School Health

Visit the NYS Center for School Health website for additional resources from the NYS Department of Health, the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other nationally vetted resources.