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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

For the most recent updates regarding the number of COVID-19 cases in Florida and health and safety tips, please visit the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 website: www.floridahealth.gov/covid19

For education-related information, the U.S. Department of Education has established a dedicated Coronavirus webpage, which includes resources for institutions of higher education and for K-12. This information is continually updated so please check back for the latest.

FDOE COVID-19 Newsroom • Contact Information • K12 Campus Closures • Postsecondary Institutions • Office of Early Learning • Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services Offices • State of Florida Guidance • Federal Guidance • Related Documents • Helpful Resources

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is working closely with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor COVID-19 and is actively working to ensure that the most up-to-date CDC guidance is quickly and accurately disseminated. FDOE understands that concerns about health and safety are paramount for all education communities. In response to such concerns, we encourage you to access up-to-date information and resources from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

School districts and colleges should work directly with their local county health departments to establish protocols to control the spread of COVID-19 and educate the public on prevention. The USDOE launched a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information and resources web page for schools and school personnel.

This page, which will be regularly updated, features the most current information on COVID-19, primarily from the CDC and FDOH, as well as guidance and resources for everyday disease prevention strategies. Please direct any questions about COVID-19 in Florida to FDOH at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

FDOE COVID-19 Newsroom

Contact Information

  • DOH hotline: 866-779-6121 (24 hours)
  • DOH email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov
  • CDC hotline: 800-232-4636 (24 hours)

K12 Campus Closures

As of March 30, all school districts have implemented their instructional continuity plans.

  • School campuses will remain closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
  • Parents should reach out to specific school district websites for more information on their specific instructional continuity plan.
  • The department has developed a robust list of free educational resources for teachers & families while they are distance learning.
  • Each student with an IEP, or 504 plan, should be included in the school district’s instructional continuity plan to the same extent as all other students. This plan may include virtual instruction, as well as virtual specialized instruction and related services to the extent practicable. All areas of the student’s IEP or 504 must be considered. Any and all required evaluations, IEP meetings etc. may also be held virtually to the extent practical. If there is any type of delay, the nature and extent of the delay and a plan to move as quickly as possible to prevent further delay should be documented. IEP and 504 teams should monitor each student’s progress and determine what, if any, remediation may be needed upon return to the student’s placement.
  • School districts should be prepared to extend their educational calendars through June 30, 2020, to the extent feasible and necessary.
  • Commissioner Corcoran can reduce required instructional hours as necessary to accommodate for campus closures.

Assessments, Accountability and Promotion

  • All remaining assessments for school readiness, voluntary prekindergarten and K-12 assessments are cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year.
  • Requirements for graduation and promotion, and final course grades will be evaluated as though those assessments which were cancelled did not exist.
  • K-12 school grades will not be calculated for 2019-2020 and schools in turnaround may continue their current status for 2020-2021 to avoid disruption to school leadership and operations.
  • Eligibility for Florida Bright Futures scholarships shall be based on available data and results. Tests that were not available to be taken shall not be counted.

Postsecondary Institutions

As recommended by Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Corcoran March 17, 2020, all Florida College System institutions are providing virtual or other remote learning to students for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester. As recommended, campuses are closed to regular activities, and institutions are following the CDC’s guidelines for mass gatherings and community events when continuing college operations that, to the greatest extent possible, support remote student learning, services and resources. For specific questions about courses or other college operations, please see the individual college COVID-19 pages below or contact the college directly.

  • Colleges are encouraged to operate virtually or through other non-classroom-based means to the greatest extent possible.
  • Colleges should be prepared to extend their educational calendars through June 30, 2020, to the extent feasible and necessary.

Florida Colleges

Clarification on Remote Learning and Campus Closure (PDF)

State University System Closures

Florida’s public state universities are governed by the Florida Board of Governors. For information on how Florida’s 12 universities are responding to COVID-19 please visit https://www.flbog.edu/.

State University System Extends Remote Learning

Secondary and Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Office of Early Learning

All school readiness, voluntary prekindergarten and public K-12 will be fully funded as though there was no disruption. Both school readiness and voluntary prekindergarten providers will be paid or reimbursed for additional absences and for temporary closures due to COVID-19. Our commitment is to minimize the fiscal impact for both families and providers. For more information see this press release: Florida Department of Education Announces Additional Guidance for the 2019-20 School Year

For questions and concerns please call the Office of Early Learning at 1-866-357-3239.

School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs

Commissioner Corcoran strongly recommends school readiness and voluntary prekindergarten programs adhere to the CDC’s guidance for higher-risk populations by limiting students and employees to no more than 10 people convening in a single occupied space, therefore breaking students into groups as necessary, maintaining social distancing best practices and proper hygiene.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services Offices

  • All services provided by the divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services to clients shall be provided solely though virtual and telephonic methods to the extent possible.
    • The Department will work with appropriate federal authorities to seek waivers for any federal requirements that may be impacted.

State of Florida Guidance

Federal Guidance

Over the last two weeks, the White House, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies have released more guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19.  Many of the new documents are listed below.  The Department continues to update its COVID-19 information and resources web page with the most current information, and any questions for the Department may be directed to COVID-19@ed.gov.

Related Documents

Remember: As COVID-19 evolves, guidance will change, please review the most recent updates above.

Helpful Resources