Coronavirus & Pandemic Resources
The Latest State and Federal Guidance & Information
From the PA Department of Health
* NEW! Order of the Acting Secretary Directing Face Coverings in Schools effective September 7 (8/31/21)
From the U.S.Department of Education
* Return to School Roadmap (August 2021)
* On-Site Vaccination Clinic Toolkit
* Frequently Asked Questions: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs & Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Programs
From the CDC
* Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People (7/27/21)
* Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools - Return-to-School (6-9-21)
From the PDE
* NEW! Masks/Face Coverings in School Entities (8/31/21)
* Pennsylvania Evidence Resource Center
* FAQs for 2021-22
* "What's New?" - Check for the most recent PDE updates.
* Resources for School Communities During Covid-19
* Updated Recommendations for Social Distancing in Schools (3-29-21)
* Updated Recommendations on Handling COVID-19 Cases in Schools (3-29-21)
* Vaccine Initiative Information (3/3/21)
* Updated Instructional Model Recommendations and FAQs (3/3/21)
* Operating Schools in a Pandemic: Predicted Effects of Opening, Quarantining, and Closing Strategies
- Mathematica Report: "New Models Highlight How Different Approaches to Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Affect Students, Teachers, and Learning"
From the USDE
* COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools
* COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs
* Questions and Answers for K-12 Public Schools in the Current COVID-19 Environment
From the PA Department of Health
* Updated Mitigation Order Re: Masking (5/3/21)
* DOH Attestation Order (11/23/20)
AASA Resources
COVID-19 Resources: Emergency Management, School Safety & Crisis Planning
From the CDC
* CDC Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
* Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (4/5/21)
* Ventillation in Schools and Child Care Programs (updated 2/26/21)
* School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians
* Screening K-12 Students for Symptoms of COVID-19: Limitations and Considerations
* FAQ for School Administrators on Reopening Schools
* Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools
* Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
Leadership & Management Issues
* PASBO Analysis: Projections for Loss of Local School Revenue in 2020-21
* A Sample Guide for Leading Your School District Through This Crisis (Connie Kindler)
* Coronavirus Communication for School Leaders (from the Donovan Group)
Joint Education Associations Task Force Report on School Reopening
* Pennsylvania School Reopening Task Force Report (June 18 - from PASA, PSBA, PAIU, PASBO, PSEA, PA Principals Assn., PACTA & PARSS)
* Video Briefing 1: Overview of the Report (FOCUS: Facilities & Logistics, Instruction, Extracurriculars/Co-Curriculars, Special Education, Resources and Health & Safety)
* Video Briefing 2: Overview of the Report (FOCUS: Staffing/Personnel, Communications & Outreach, Community Needs and Transportation)
Ideas and Considerations for Opening and Operating Schools in a Pandemic
* Panel Discussion/Webinar: "Parent Providing Support - Helping Out Children Return to School" (CPSEL)
* Blogs from Learning Personalized by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Allison Zmuda
Curriculum Choices in the Face of COVID-19
Deciding What to Cut, What to Keep and What to Create
What COVID19 Has Illuminated about the Power of Self-Evaluation to Make Assessment Meaningful
Fresh Approaches to Schedules, Grouping & Shaping Physical and Virtual Learning Spaces
* Guide to Coping After Mass Trauma: School Grief Counseling Techniques (from Bradley University)
* Child Care, Schools and Youth Programs: Plan, Prepare and Respond (from the CDC)
* Guidelines for Social Distancing on School Buses (from Education Week)
* A Roadmap of Essential Actions to Help District and School Leaders Plan and Implement a Safe, Efficient, and Equitable Return to School
* A Plan to Safely Reopen America's Schools & Communities (from the AFT)
K-12 Tips, Guidance and Resources
* COVID-19 FAQs for School District Leaders (from AASA and ASBO)
* Free K-12 Resources During the Coronavirus Pandemic (from districtadministration.com)
* Zoom Security Tips (developed by PSEA)
* Tips for Setting Online Boundaries with Students (from the Professional Standards & Practices Commission)
* Educator and Student Videoconference and Best Practices (from the School Administrators of Iowa)
* Coronavirus webpage (from the Consortium for School Networking - CoSN)
Pennsylvania Department of Education
* Guidance on Instructional Hours Requirement (from the PDE)
* Considerations for Reopening Pennsylvania Schools (from the PDE as developed by the Regional Educational Laboratories Mid-Atlantic)
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Continuity of Education Template and Email address to submit plans to the PDE: RA-EDContinuityofEd@pa.gov
* Guidance on Evaluations & Virtual Assessments
* Guidance on Professional Employee Evaluation
* Link to Waiver Information
* Special Education Guidance
* Website
Resources from PASA Sponsors
Click here for resources from our sponsors.
Other Pennsylvania Resources
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Website
Ready PA Website
PA Emergency Preparedness Guide
Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Website
National and International Resources
U.S. Department of Education
* FAQ about the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) (from the USDE)
* Equitable Services under the CARES Act - FAQ
* Supplemental Guidance on Spec. Ed/Civil Rights (March 21)
* Guidance from the USDE: Civil Rights and Coronavirus (March 16)
* Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education (March 13) for schools on issues concerning the coronavirus, including guidance on student data privacy, assessments, accountability measures and students with disabilities (press release with links to specific guidance)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
* Coronavirus Disease Information
* Pandemic Basics, Strategies for Schools Managing a Pandemic
World Health Organization (WHO): Coronavirus Updates and Information
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Website
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Pandemic Information
U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) Website
Responding to Coronavirus: A Downloadable Guide for Schools - from Education Week