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For more information about becoming a GED test center. English language development instruction, otherwise known as English as a second language, delivered by a licensed ESL teacher is its own content area. WebInformation for current Pennsylvania educators includes certification, continuing education, permits, administrative supervisory, emergency permits, and When expending federal funds, LEAs should consult with their solicitors and ensure they are in compliance with all Uniform Guidance requirements. WebThe secretary of education works together with the General Assembly, the governor, and Pennsylvania teachers and school administrators to deliver and improve the public 22 Pa. Code 4.72. the preparation of drawings and specifications for school facilities; Fax - (717) 783-0822. As we approach the end of the 2021-22 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recognizes that that there may still be a need for remote instruction in certain circumstances. 8743 ESSER II - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Emergency relief funds authorized by the CRRSA Act to address the impact that Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. Accreditation. For additional information, refer to question B-7 from the U.S. Education Department FAQs. The requirements of Title I-A do not apply to ESSER funds. useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which Yes. May the LEA Application in eGrants be used as the LEA Plan for the Use of ARP ESSER Funds? Expenditures for this purpose would be allowable, provided the LEA detailed that the use metthe three-part test for allowabilityin its ESSER application. However, a project planned or scheduled prior to the pandemic that has been or will be adjusted due to the pandemic could, in certain circumstances, be an allowable ESSER expenditure. Can ESSER funds be used to hire a staff for COVID case management and contact tracing responsibilities for an LEA? School Leaders. Application fees are non-refundable. Is there a deadline to apply for ARP ESSER funds? WebIn general, under state law, school attendance in Pennsylvania is mandatory for a child from the age of 8 until the age of 17, or until graduation from an accredited high school, whichever is earlier. What type of documentation is required if an exemption applies? For example, if the school district is exempt because it did not implement an aggregate reduction in combined State and local per-pupil funding in FY 2022 [school year 2021-2022] (i.e., is not facing overall budget reductions), then appropriate documentation of that calculation should be maintained. WebDepartment of Human Services (DHS) Child Abuse History. Two-year EdD programs may let you study in an accelerated format. This page offers answers to frequently asked questions as prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Please note that LEAs are not required to obligate their ESSER I and ESSER II grant funds prior to applying for and obligating ARP ESSER funding. Uniform Guidance and other federal requirements would apply to expenditures made with federal funds. WebA Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD) can be obtained both by homeschooled and privately tutored students by passing a high school equivalency test or completing of 30 college level credits from a United States accredited postsecondary institution. Teacher and Principal Residency. Cooperative purchasing programs may be used as long as all federal procurement standards are met. 240) (45 P. S. 1102, 12011208 and 1602) and 45 Pa.C.S. Additional answers to FAQs are available on the U.S. Department of Education's website, GAQC Nonauthoritative Guidance on Reporting Certain COVID-19 Awards, access the U.S. Department of Education's ARP ESSER Fact Sheet, waiver from the U.S. Department of Education, Access the allocations of ARP ESSER A school psychologist is responsible for conducting psychological, academic, and behavioral assessments in the diagnosis and identification of diverse learners and their needs according to Pennsylvania School Code. WebStudents who attended a college, university or seminary that has closed should contact the Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity at 717-783-6786 or RA-HigherEducation@pa.gov for information about records. WebThe Pennsylvania Public School Code Section 1418. Medical Examinations of Teachers and Other Persons requires that "teachers, janitors, cooks and other cafeteria help and all others employed at schools have a pre-employment medical examination. districts. disbursed (actual expenditures of funds, not obligations) on the project at the The LEA must comply with state/local procurement policies for all expenditures using state or local funds. For example, an LEA's request to replace a roof will likely be disapproved if the roof replacement was scheduled, planned, or budgeted prior to the pandemic or constituted routine maintenance in response to longstanding health issues, including concerns with mildew, identified prior to March 13, 2020. The candidate and/or LEA submits the required document(s) as listed on the TIMS coversheet. Reduce the number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff per-pupil by an amount that exceeds the total reduction, if any, in FTE staff per-pupil in all schools served by the district in such fiscal year. PDE will soon post certification forms in eGrants that LEAs can upload to their ARP ESSER applications, certifying application of an exception or MOEquity delay. Families with documented need should be prioritized to ensure that the cost charged to ESSER is reasonable and necessary. The academic standards are benchmark measures that define what students Funding Process | In 22 PA Code 14.105(a) and 711.5(d), the state special education regulations, an instructional paraprofessional is defined as a school employee who works under the direction of a certificated staff member to support and assist in providing instructional programs and services to children with disabilities or eligible young children. Probably not. WebEducator Effectiveness. Can ESSER funds be used on Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) projects? Yes. Otherwise, PDE will not approve the purchase or use of gift cards, store cards, or prepaid debit cards with ESSER funds. Also include here funding for GEER II Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS). Can we use ARP ESSER funds for multi-year contracts? Training to complete the SILR is available at TRAIN PA using the course ID 1081113. An LEA can use ESSER funds to pay for lead mitigation or asbestos abatement if the project meetsthe three-part test for allowability. ESSER funds may be used to construct additional space for food consumption to allow students to maintain physical distancing. Yes, cooperative purchasing programs may be used. List of the Pros of Abolish the Department of Education. Any use of ESSER funds must meetthe three-part test of allowability. 1-111. As we work to explore additional, state- level strategies, we invite you to share best practices with us and with your colleagues, as we hope to do with you. Which ESSER-related expenditures require prior approval from PDE? We request that applications be submitted by September 1, 2021. Consistent with its administration of other federal funds, including both ESSER I and II, PDE will reimburse allowable costs monthly through the Financial Accounting Information system. Prior approval forms are available within the ARP ESSER application. In addition, the circular identifies required employment history reviews for all prospective employees and However, using ESSER funds for lead remediation and/or asbestos abatement that was identified, planned, or known prior to the pandemic or for which there is no COVID connection would not be allowable. WebThe Pennsylvania State Board of Education has the power and duty to review and adopt regulations that govern educational policies and principles and establish standards PASecureID Resources. A-TSI designated school(s). The Maintenance of Equity provision for LEAs is a new requirement under ARP ESSERand only applies to school WebEmployees in the PA Department of Education (PDE) provide direction and support for the early childhood and K through 12 programs in Pennsylvania's public schools, career and The CSSD may be issued to an applicant who is a Accordingly, ARP ESSER funds must be awarded and tracked separately from Title I-A funds. Phone - (717) 783-7142 . The return address is your Tom Wolf on March 27, 2020, revises the Act 82 Educator Effectiveness (EE) process used to evaluate professional employees and temporary professional employees in PK-12 education across the commonwealth. Consider the length of a route, the amount of additional walking, and the number of transfers that would be required for students residing in a particular neighborhood before asking them to take public transportation. The LEA has complied with federal procurement requirements; and. WebThe Board issues licenses and certifications to qualified applicants, approves nursing education programs, establishes standards of practice, and disciplines licensees and unlicensed persons for violations of the Acts and the regulations. Auditors may expect clear documentation of need and the impact on students and schools. LEAs are reminded that ESSER funds may be used to address teacher and staff shortages impacted by the pandemic. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides each state with enhanced flexibility to designate and serve schools in need of support. SeeGAQC Nonauthoritative Guidance on Reporting Certain COVID-19 Awards, updated April 14, 2021. The licensing requirements, enforced by the state board of private academic schools, govern health and safety, teaching and administrative staff, courses of study When using gift cards with ARP-HCY funds, an LEA must ensure all costs are reasonable and necessary and that the use of funds in this manner align with the purpose and requirements of the HCY statute. set-aside funds for A-TSI-designated schools. An agreement with a municipal transit authority should come at a reasonable cost and should not exceed the cost necessary to transport students. More specifically, ARP ESSER funding may be utilized for allowable costs dating back to March 13, 2020, when the national emergency was declared; is available for obligation by both PDE and subrecipients through September 30, 2023; and, under the Tydings Amendment (Section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act), any funds not obligated at the end of the federal funding period (i.e., September 2023) remain available for obligation for an additional period of 12 months. Web2. Foreign Language PK-12 Teachers. Under ARP requirements, stakeholders include, but are not limited to, students, families, school and district administrators (including special education administrators), teachers, principals, school leaders, other educators, school staff, and their unions. The eGrants application components satisfy the content requirements for the LEA Plan. In alignment with requirements in Title 28 Pa. Code Chapter 27 (relating to communicable and noncommunicable diseases), schools must: Report positive cases of COVID-19 to DOH for case investigation, contact tracing, and issuance of quarantine and/or isolation orders; and. The ARP ESSER award period closes on September 30, 2023, however, under the Tydings Amendment, funds may be obligated through September 30, 2024. No; however, eligible school districts and charter schools are encouraged to apply by September 1, 2021, and all LEAs that intend to receive ARP ESSER funding must submit their updated Health and Safety Plans to PDE by July 30, 2021. The MOEquity requirement applies for both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years. 9-973. Contracts supported by ARP ESSER must have an end date on or before September 30, 2024. [1] [2] Pennsylvania has a high school graduation rate of 90.2% in 2018. WebCarbondale Area School District v. Fell Charter School, 829 A.2d 400, (Pa.Cmwlth. Operations Blue Lotus and Four Horsemen: These Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, initiatives resulted in the seizure of nearly 10,000 pounds of for a list of items that require prior approval. Working alongside municipal leaders, consider the safety of various routes, including limiting transfers and walking required especially for younger students and/or placing crossing guards at busy intersections. Therefore, LEAs are not required to have a fully approved subaward prior to incurring allowable pre-award costs under ESSER I, ESSER II, or ARP ESSER. WebIndividuals may call IDEMIA Customer Service using the toll-free number, (844) 321-2101 to confirm a location's operating status prior to scheduling their appointment. Any LEAs seeking such a delay will need to certify eligibility with PDE. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. We recognize that many LEAs are experiencing a significant and serious impact from the national shortage in school bus drivers and want to assure you that we are examining ways to address this issue from every possible vantage point. The Department of Education prosecutes educator discipline cases in accordance with the Educator Discipline Act, 24 P.S. On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act appropriated ESSER II funds, and on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act provided ARP ESSER funds. Quarterly and final program reporting will take place via eGrants and the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal (FRCPP). As the U.S. Department of Education outlines specific requirements for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services, the plan will be different than the one each LEA submitted last year to PDE. In the 1860s, a budget of $15,000 and four employees handled education fact-finding. Since ARP ESSER funds are administered to school districts and charter schools using the Title I-A formula, does that mean Title I-A regulations apply? Your LEA must seek approval even if you are applying or have applied your ESSER or GEER funds to a relevant expenditure made before the awarding of those funds. In determining the timing of reporting the funds on the SEFA, 2 CFR 200.502 generally focuses on when the activity related to the federal award occurs and requires awards be included based on that activity. A detailed description of your question. The Florida Department of Education faced angry reaction this week to new African American history standards suggesting some slaves benefited from skills they learned while enslaved. An LEA would need to ensure that the project meetsthe three-part test for allowabilityand that all prior approval forms are submitted. Can we pre-pay a software contract in the final year of the grant? USDE has indicated that this exception will be narrowly applied. A "high-poverty school" is a school that is in the highest quartile of schools served by the LEA based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the school. Under section 2004(c) of the ARP Act, for each school identified by a school district as a high-poverty school, the school district may not, in fiscal years 2021-22 or 2022-23: No. Note The second round of PCCD (winter) grants are being funded with ESSER and should be coded here. WebEquitable Participation Q&A. The purpose of this circular is to provide local education agencies (LEAs) with the requirements and interpretations of the legal mandates governing the education of students who are English learners (ELs).The information WebEducator Misconduct. After a completed ARP ESSER application is submitted in eGrants, PDE will promptly move applications through the approval process and expect LEAs to begin receiving funds as early as August 2021. This page was updated on December 6, 2021.Updates are noted with an asterisk. Consistent with its administration of other federal funds, including ESSER I and ESSER II, PDE will make monthly payments for allowable ARP ESSER expenditures through the Financial Accounting Information (FAI) system. And fourth, SAVE includes a more ESSER funds must be used for expenditures intended to assist an LEA with preventing, preparing for, or responding to COVID-19. 2070.17. The ARP Act's MOEquity requirement applies only to school districts. Josh Shapiro, Governor Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Acting Secretary. Prior approval is a requirement of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.407), and therefore applies to relevant expenditures under. We also recommend submitting applications as soon as possible to accommodate a longer than normal timeline for review. 8740 CARES ACT, CRRSA ACT, and ARP ACT FUNDING (Revenues are not recorded to this account but to the following sub-accounts). Certification Assignment. Note - Some SECIM grants are being funded with IDEA rather than GEER funds which should be coded to 8512. The TDA LPs are structured in grade spans (3-5 and 6-8) with four levels, Beginning, Emerging, Development, and Meeting. A single, unique PAsecureID remains with an individual student throughout their educational career. WebThe Pennsylvania Department of Education compiles and analyzes a wide variety of data about attendance, graduation rates, schools and school districts, student progress, Because the deadline is determined by Statute (24 P.S. Pennsylvania served more than 168 million school lunches during the 2018-19 school year. Division of Adult Education. LEAs engaging in construction or renovation projects using federal ESSER funds must maintain oversight of those projects to ensure that contractors perform the work in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of the contract (see 2 C.F.R. ST-NURSE@pa.gov In addition, the LEA must engage in meaningful consultation with each of the following to the extent present in or served by the LEA: tribes; civil rights organizations (including disability rights organizations); and stakeholders representing the interests of children with disabilities, English learners, children experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, migratory students, children who are incarcerated, and other underserved students. The expenditure must be reasonable and necessary under Uniform Guidance. Under these circumstances, and to the degree doing so is consistent with the LEA's policies and procedures, an LEA could use noncompetitive procurement (SeeUSDE ESSER FAQs, C-27). Although ARP ESSER funds are distributed to school districts and charter schools based on Title I-A allocations, these are not Title I-A funds; rather, ARP ESSER is its own, separate program. For ESSER I, ESSER II, or GEER expenditures, you must complete and submit the approval form to PDE: Yes. Simply put, the Education Department will base payments on 5% of borrowers' remaining income, not the current 10%. The office works with educators, legislators, government agencies, organizations, and communities across Pennsylvania to ensure All expenditures for equipment with a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more (including trailers and modular units), buildings, and land must be pre-approved by PDE. WebThe Emergency Permit request routes electronically to the LEA for completion. WebCOVID-19 Resources for Pre-K to 12 Schools. PDE is located at:333 Market StreetHarrisburg, PA 17126. Access USDE's MOEquity guidance. Career and Technical Administrative ECE/Elementary PK-8 Teachers. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. It contains regulations and other documents filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau under the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. Under 2 CFR 200.458, an LEA that has not yet received ARP ESSER funds to which it is entitled may use State or local funds to incur allowable costs and, once it receives its ARP ESSER award, reimburse itself for the allowable costs that it incurred before receiving the Federal emergency funds. Saturday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. EST. This listing is comprised of school districts (SD), charter schools (CS), non-public schools (NP), intermediate units (IU), area vocational technical schools (AVTS), private driver training schools (PDTS), community colleges, universities, correspondence courses (CC) and Regular school attendance is a critical leading indicator of educational equity. As such, they must be used as the basis How were estimated ARP ESSER allocations determined? For more information, please see the ARP ESSER Guidebook section titled, "Can ARP ESSER Fund Facilities Improvements?". WebPennsylvania Department of Education is responsible for setting policy and supporting programs that provide students, educators and the citizens of Pennsylvania with the Funding source 991. Prior approval is also required for travel and entertainment costs. Senator Bob Agreements with transit authorities to transport students may take the form of running a special route from centralized pickup or drop-off points or simply purchasing transit passes for students. The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not accredit colleges or universities. No. For example, renovation of an existing buildingincluding asbestos abatement and/or lead remediationto prepare previously unused space for instruction to maximize the LEA's efforts to social distance students and mitigate the spread of COVID-19could be an allowable expenditure of ESSER funds. For example, ESSER funds may not be used to pay an existing and ongoing lease, since there would be no connection to COVID-19. Below are two immediate options that school districts may have to use funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund to relieve strains in local transportation services. Stipends and bonuses for additional responsibilities are the most prudent method of compensating educators using one-time funds such as ARP ESSER. WebCareer Opportunities. What do school districts need to know and do with certifying a relevant exemption from the ARP Acts MOEquity requirement. Can ESSER funds be used for outdoor classrooms, outdoor furniture, tents/coverings, picnic tables, and groundwork such as concrete or cement? The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices, WebGeneral Act 48 FAQ. As recipients of ARP ESSER funding, school districts, charter schools, and PDE are required by statute to engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders. ESSER funds are not subject to ranking and serving provisions that define how an LEA distributes Title I funds to schools. Additionally, the LEA must complete a prior approval form (if applicable), which includes information about other funds. WebThe Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood are a critical piece for assisting teachers in designing classrooms that meet the developmental needs of children to help them succeed in school. This cost can be charged to ESSER under one of several allowable activities, including providing principals and leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools or "other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services." Because of the difficulty in tracking whether funds have been used for an allowable purpose and the potential for waste or abuse, PDE generally prohibits the purchase of gift cards, store cards, or prepaid debit cards with federal funds. Examples include GEER Continuity of Education Grants, GEER funded Special Education Impact Mitigation Grants, and GEER postsecondary and adult education grants. WebIf you have a question or an issue with your federal clearance, call 717.783.3750 or email the Pennsylvania Department of Education at dwolfgang@state.pa.us. 8749 Other CARES Act and CRRSA Act Funding CARES Act and CRRSA Act funding other than ESSER, ESSER II, and GEER. WebThe Pennsylvania State Board of Education has adopted academic standards in 12 subject areas. Web2. The regulations, which implement 24 P.S. WebPennsylvania along with most states and U.S. territories have signed an Interstate Certification Agreement to recognize current and comparable state-approved programs. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 . In other cases, however, payment of a lease may not be allowable. PVAAS Points of Contact. An LEA that is not reducing combined state and local per-pupil funding in 2021-22 does not need to comply with the MOEquity requirement for 2021-22; however, the MOEquity requirement would apply in 2022-23. Student safety is paramount. Contact yourregional coordinator in the PDE Division of Federal Programswith questions regarding the use of ESSER funds for this purpose. WebPennsylvania Department of Education School Services Office Acts 195/90/35 Textbooks and Materials Program 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 Telephone: 717-783-9282 TTY: 717-783-8445 Fax: 717-783-9283 Email: ra-nppss@pa.gov. Can ARP ESSER funding be used to address workforce shortages? WebLaws and Regulations. No. Can an LEA use ESSER funding to increase the base teacher salary or provide bonuses to teachers? Can ESSER funds be used for construction or renovation projects scheduled prior to March 13, 2020? Date of Issue: July 1, 2001 Date of Review: July 1, 2017 . For prior approval associated with to ESSER I, ESSER II, or GEER funds, your forms will be reviewed as quickly as possible. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Yes. Reverse scholarships may be utilized as a retention strategy as well, whereby teachers are offered funds to pay off student loans or toward continuing education for each year that they are retained by the district/charter school beyond a certain period.