FAQ’S FROM OUR COMMUNITY
General Questions
Do I need to submit a J-13A form for my school closure?
Do I need a letter of substantiation from my local public health office for a COVID-19 school closure?
Can the LEA Response funds be used for hazard pay in conjunction with maintaining nutrition services?
According to the CDE: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r14/sb11719apptltr1.asp “SB 117 Funds are allowed to be used for costs associated with maintaining nutrition services, cleaning, and disinfecting facilities, personal protective equipment, and materials necessary to provide students with opportunities for distance learning. The priority for these funds is health and safety needs for LEAs, including for student meal access, during COVID-19 closure periods. Due to the emergency nature of these funds, the funding allocation formula and allowable uses of funds contained in this letter may not closely align with the appropriation language in Section 9 of Senate Bill 117, but are in concurrence with the Department of Finance and the Legislature. Clean-up language will be forthcoming in future legislation.”
Attendance Related Questions
When completing our P2 ADA, the form asks us if the charter school ceased operation during this school year. Should we mark Yes or No?
How do we collect attendance for independent study during a school closure?
Should schools claim attendance for apportionment for participation in independent study or other types of distance learning while school is closed in response to COVID-19?
How did SB 117 change how ADA is calculated for the second principal (P-2) and annual apportionment periods?
In effect, SB 117 mitigates the effect of lost attendance due to COVID-19 that occurred after February 29, 2020. This bill is a companion to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-26-20.
How will COVID-19 affect chronic absentee data?
Do we have to take attendance during the closure? Are students considered “present”?
CALPADS Related Questions
Will the Fall 2 submission deadline be extended due to COVID-19?
How will End-of-Year (EOY) submission be impacted?
What should LEAs do about students who were unable to complete CTE pathways?
Will English Language Proficiency Assessments (ELPAC) be required?
Will EOY 4- Special Education require certification?
How will this affect students that were set to graduate this summer?
If an LEA switches to a “credit/no credit” “pass/fail” grade scale, how will that impact a student’s admission to UC or CSU?
Leaders of CDE, the State Board of Education, and each of the higher education segments who are part of the Governor’s Council for Postsecondary Education – the University of California, California State University, and Community College systems and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities — have been meeting to discuss the impact of school closures on this year’s high school students to make sure that students are held harmless from any impacts of school closures.
The university systems are willing to accept credit/no credit grades in lieu of letter grades for all courses, including A–G courses, completed in winter/ spring/ summer 2020 for all students. Grades of credit/no credit will not affect the UC or CSU calculations of GPA. In addition, the universities have identified a range of other flexibilities they will offer to support students’ access to college during this time.
Updated Guidance for ADA Funding
In accordance with Executive Order N-26-20, schools will continue to receive state funding to:
- Continue delivering high-quality educational opportunities to students to the extent feasible through distance learning and/or independent study, among other options.
- Provide school meals in non-congregate settings through the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, consistent with the requirements of the California Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Arrange for, to the extent practicable, supervision of students during regular school hours; and
- Continue to pay its employees
Updated Guidance for P-2 ADA Reporting and Funding
The “P-2” attendance reporting cut-off date has changed to the end of February for schools that closed due to COVID-19 and that comply with the terms of Executive Order N-26-20.
This change should hold closed schools “harmless” from any decrease in attendance from March 1, 2020 forward.
Helpful Links & Subscriptions
CDE Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/covidfaqs.asp
CSDC Frequently Asked Questions
www.chartercenter.org/resources/cbo-direct/csdc-s-coronavirus-19-faqs
CCSA and CSDC have been providing updates on crucial information for schools. You can subscribe to receive these updates.
- Click here to subscribe to Newsletter Updates from the California Charter Schools Association
*The subscription box is at the bottom of the home page on the right-hand side. - Click here to create a non-member account with Charter Schools Development Center to receive important Newsletter Updates
Questions?
In an attempt to help our charter schools across the state navigate through these unprecedented difficult times, we are fielding questions that you may have utilizing this form. Please be assured that your name and information will remain confidential unless you prefer otherwise. We will be reviewing questions in the order received and publishing answers to www.csmci.com/charterschool-coronavirus-faq as they become available. Please submit your questions HERE.