Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Emergency Order No. 2020-EO-07 - Spring 2021 Improvements
- Spring 2021 Education Plan and Assurances Template (Word)
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 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 re-open Florida’s educational institutions, control the spread of COVID-19, and educate the public on prevention.
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.
Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873
Reporting Abuse During COVID-19 (PDF)
Information for Educators (PDF)
Parents and Caregivers Play an Important Role During COVID-19 (PDF)
For additional 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.
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
FDOE COVID-19 Newsroom
- Thousands of Florida Teachers Benefit From Certification Exam Fee Waiver
- Department of Education Increases Access to Child Care Services - April 20. 2020
- Florida Extends Distance Learning Through Remainder of Academic Year - April 18, 2020
- Governor Ron DeSantis: More Than 32,000 Laptops Going to Small and Rural School Districts - April 11, 2020
- Department of Education, Florida Virtual School Offer Distance Learning Resources - April 10, 2020
- Florida Extends School Campus Closures Through May 1 - March 31, 2020
- Florida Virtual School Develops New Online Learning Community for Families and Teachers - March 27, 2020 (PDF)
- College Board to Allow Remote Advanced Placement Instruction, Testing - March 24, 2020
- Governor Ron DeSantis, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Commissioner Corcoran, Executive Director Burgess & College Presidents Applaud POTUS Expanding GI Benefits for Vets Impacted by COVID-19 - March 21, 2020
- Florida Department of Education Compiles Resources During Extended Spring Break - March 20, 2020
- Four Florida School Districts Are Prepared for Distance Learning - March 17, 2020
- Florida Department of Education Announces Additional Guidance for the 2019-20 School Year - March 17, 2020
- Florida Department of Education Provides Recommendations for Spring Break - March 13, 2020
- Florida Virtual School® Offering School Districts Teacher Training to Prepare for Online Learning Environment in the Event of School Closures - March 12, 2020
Contact Information
- DOH hotline: 866-779-6121 (24 hours)
- DOH email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov
- CDC hotline: 800-232-4636 (24 hours)
State of Florida Guidance
- September 1, 2020 - Executive Order 20-212: Governor Ron DeSantis Extends Deadline for Students to Qualify for Bright Futures
- August 27, 2020 - Suggestion That Order Be Certified As Requiring Immediate Resolution By The Florida Supreme Court (PDF)
- August 27, 2020 - Emergency Motion to Reinstate Automatic Stay (PDF)
- August 27, 2020 - Florida to Offer Free Optional Progress Monitoring Tool to Public Schools (PDF)
- August 24, 2020 - Order Granting Temporary Injunction (PDF)
- August 24, 2020 - Notice of Appeal - FEA Case (PDF)
- August 24, 2020 - Notice of Appeal - Orange County Case (PDF)
- August 5, 2020: CFO and State Fire Marshal Patronis Issues Directive Facilitating School Fire Drills in COVID Era
- July 9, 2020: 2020-21 Florida’s Optional Innovative Plan Template (Word)
- July 6, 2020: FDOE Order No. 2020-EO-06 - Reopening K-12 Schools (PDF)
- June 26, 2020: Temporary Relief for Out-of-Field Teachers (PDF)
- June 18, 2020: Executive Order Number 20-149: Emergency Management - COVID -19 - Primary and General Elections (PDF)
- June 12, 2020: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Webinar (PDF)
- June 11, 2020: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Recommendations to Safely Reopen Florida’s Education System
- June 11, 2020: FDOE Order No. 2020-EO-05 - Bright Futures (PDF)
- June 11, 2020: FDOE Order No. 2020-EO-04 - Summer VPK (PDF)
- May 22, 2020: Executive Order Number 20-131: Addresses Youth Activities (PDF)
- May 21, 2020: School Safety Update (PDF)
- May 20, 2020: Accountability Update (PDF)
- May 19, 2020: FDOE Order No. 2020-EO-03 (PDF)
- May 19, 2020: DOE Emergency Order 2020-EO-02 Updates on Dual Enrollment (PDF)
- May 14, 2020: CARES Waiver Response from Scott Stump Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education (PDF)
- May 13, 2020: Postsecondary Dual Enrollment, Developmental Education, Finance and CTE (PDF)
- May 13, 2020: Florida Department of Education Webinar K-12 and CTE Topics - FDOE Order #2020-EO-02 (PDF)
- May 13, 2020: Department of Education Order 2020-EO-02 (PDF)
- May 11, 2020: Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 While Serving Migratory Children (PDF)
- May 6, 2020: Instructional Hours (PDF)
- May 6, 2020: Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice Webinar (PDF)
- May 5, 2020: Mental and Behavioral Health and Telehealth Services for Florida Students (PDF)
- April 23, 2020: Early Learning & Workforce Education: Re-Opening Florida’s Economy (PDF)
- April 22, 2020: Opening Florida’s Schools to Re-Open Florida’s Economy (PDF)
- April 21, 2020: Fiscal Waiver Response from Frank T. Brogan Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education
- April 21, 2020: School Improvement Webinar (PDF)
- April 17, 2020: Florida Department of Education Webinar (PDF)
- April 15, 2020: Division of Florida Colleges and Division of Career and Adult Education Updates (PDF)
- April 14, 2020: Florida Department of Education Webinar (PDF)
- April 13, 2020: At Home Testing for Industry Certifications (PDF)
- April 13, 2020: Department of Education/Office of Early Learning Q & A Guidance – Child Care Services for First Responders and Health Care Workers (PDF)
- April 9, 2020: School-Based Counseling, Health and Related Services in a Remote Learning Environment (PDF)
- April 7, 2020: Blind Services COVID-19 Webinar Logistics (PDF)
- April 3, 2020: Florida Department of Children and Families - Child Care Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- April 2, 2020: Cyber Security Best Practices & FBI Warning Following Several Reports of Video, Teleconference Hacks (PDF)
- April 2, 2020: Message from Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Distance Learning Resources (PDF)
- April 2, 2020: Career and Technical Education and Adult Education Program COVID-19 Updates (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: 2020-91 Executive Order re: Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Q&A Guidance for DCAE & FCS (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: DOE Guidance to Direct Support Organizations; Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: FLVS Flex (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: Manatee District To Demonstrate Expansion of Free Wi-Fi Access (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: Distance Learning Resources (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: Florida Department of Education (FDOE) – Division of Blind Services (DBS) Question & Answer Guidance for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: DOE Guidance to Direct Support Organizations; Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF)
- April 1, 2020: Just for Teachers April 2020 Newsletter (PDF)
- March 31, 2020: Extension of K-12 School Campus Closures Through May 1, 2020 (PDF)
- March 31, 2020: Postsecondary CTE and Adult Program Updates (PDF)
- March 27, 2020: COVID-19 Waiver Response from Assistant Secretary Frank T. Brogan Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education (PDF)
- March 26, 2020 Superintendents Call: Supporting English Language Learners (PDF)
- March 25, 2020 Superintendents Call: Federal Programs (Title Programs, Perkins V, WIOA) (PDF)
- March 24, 2020 Superintendents Call: Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) (PDF)
- March 24, 2020: Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Q&A Guidance for Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Schools (PDF)
- March 24, 2020: Device Distribution - Memo to Superintendents (PDF)
- March 23, 2020: Florida Department of Education Emergency Order No.2020-EO-1 (PDF)
- March 19, 2020: FLVS Virtual Teacher Training (PDF)
- March 19, 2020: Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Q&A Guidance (PDF)
- March 18, 2020: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Supplemental Questions and Answers Unanticipated School Closures and Non-Congregated Feeding 2019- 2020 SY (PDF)
- March 17, 2020: Florida Department of Education Announces Additional Guidance for the 2019-20 School Year
- March 14, 2020: State University System COVID-19 Update (PDF)
- March 13, 2020: 2020 Florida School District Spring Break and Extra Week Break Schedule as of 3/13/2020 (PDF)
- March 13, 2020: DEM Order NO. 20-004, COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF)
- March 13, 2020: Department of Education (FDOE) Q&A Guidance Regarding COVID-19 (PDF)
- March 13, 2020: Update National School Lunch Program (Word)
- March 13, 2020: Message to Florida College Presidents (PDF)
- March 13, 2020: Message to Superintendents (PDF)
- March 12, 2020: Florida Virtual School® Offering School Districts Teacher Training to Prepare for Online Learning Environment in the Event of School Closures
- March 11, 2020: State University System Statement on COVID-19 (PDF)
- March 11, 2020: Florida College System - COVID-19 Update (PDF)
- March 11, 2020: K-12 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates (PDF)
- March 11, 2020: Florida Department of Education Private School COVID-19 Q&A (PDF)
- March 11, 2020: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- March 10, 2020: Governor’s March 10th Executive Order 20-52
- March 10, 2020: 10 Ways Schools Can Prepare for COVID-19
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.
- Promising Practices Brief: Improving Student Engagement and Attendance During COVID-19 School Closures
- Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/Coronavirus, and USA.gov/Coronavirus
- President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America -- 30 Days to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (extended through April 30, 2020)
- President’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coronavirus Rumor Control
- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Invitation to Waive Fiscal Requirements Due to COVID-19 for the 2019-20 School Year and optional template (press release)
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Guidance for Interruptions of Study Related to Coronavirus (updated April 3, 2020)
- Perkins V State Plans and COVID-19 -- Frequently Asked Questions Round #2
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Adult Education Fiscal Waiver invitation letter and optional template
- Donation or Loan by CTE Programs of Personal Protective Equipment and Other Medical Supplies Purchased with Federal Funds (press release)
- Select Questions Related to Use of Department of Education Grant Funds During COVID-19
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 for Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Grantees
- Department of Agriculture Unveils Tool to Help Rural Communities Address COVID-19 Pandemic
- Donation or Loan of Personal Protective Equipment and Other Medical Supplies and Equipment Purchased with Federal Funds (PDF)
- Secretary DeVos Rapidly Delivers More Than $6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants for College Students Impacted by Coronavirus Outbreak
- Fact Sheet: Select Questions Related to Use of Department of Education Grant Funds During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (PDF)
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Virtual Learning resources, presentation, and webinar recording
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coronavirus Rumor Control
- Federal Student Aid (FSA)-issued Coronavirus Information for Students, Borrowers, and Parents (updated April 1, 2020)
- CDC’s recommendations for implementation of mitigation strategies for Florida (PDF)
- CDC Considerations for School Closures (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Student Privacy Policy Office FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) March 2020 (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Student Privacy Policy Office FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)(PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Releases Webinar, Fact Sheet for Protecting Students’ Civil Rights During COVID-19 Response
- U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
Related Documents
Remember: As COVID-19 evolves, guidance will change, please review the most recent updates above.
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
- Secretary DeVos Directs FSA to Stop Wage Garnishment, Collections Actions for Student Loan Borrowers, Will Refund More Than $1.8 Billion to Students, Families
- FLVS Extends 100 Courses to Districts (PDF)
- CDC - Guidance on Household Pets
- Florida Department of Education Provides Recommendations for Spring Break - March 13, 2020
- Escambia County School District to Provide Supplemental School Meals Starting - March 23, 2020 (PDF)
- Florida Department of Health - COVID-19 Information
- Guidance for Schools (PDF)
- Governor’s Office March 1st Memorandum to Press (PDF)
- Governor’s March 1st Executive Order 20-51
- Department of Health March 1st Press Release
- COVID-19 Travel Precaution - Board of Governors (PDF)
- Florida College System Travel Precaution (PDF)
- Florida Board of Governors COVID-19 Travel Precaution (PDF)
- State University System COVID-19 - March 6, 2020 Update (PDF)
- Florida Preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - 2/28/20 (PDF)
- Florida Preparedness for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - 3/03/20 (PDF)
- Policy for Diagnostics Testing in Laboratories Certified to Perform High Complexity Testing under CLIA prior to Emergency Use Authorization for Coronavirus Disease-2019 during the Public Health Emergency
- Florida Department of Health Question & Answer: What you need to know about COVID-19
- CDC Guidance to Schools
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019.
- CDC Symptoms
- CDC Situation Summary
- WHO COVID-19 Outbreak
- Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
- Please see this helpful flier from the CDC related to handwashing and the use of alcohol based sanitizer.
Helpful Resources
- On January 31, 2020, the White House issued the following proclamation regarding the suspension of entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of persons who pose a risk of transmitting Coronavirus. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/
- On March 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of State raised the worldwide travel advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, urging US citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported.
- Covering COVID-19 for you in Education Week: A message from the Editor-in-Chief (Word)