WYOMING — The U.S. Department of Education granted Wyoming a waiver Tuesday, April 7, from certain federal funding and programmatic requirements related to title-funded programs in light of the widespread school closures due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The flexibility offered through the waiver extends the use of the fiscal year 2018 funds through September 30, 2021, and expands the possible uses of some title programs in an effort to allow districts to meet the educational needs of their students.
“The United States Department of Education was quick to respond to the immediate needs of states and their school districts,” said Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow. “Granting flexibility in how funding is traditionally used lets districts make critical decisions to fill gaps and think strategically about the best ways to serve students, staff, and parents during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of this waiver on April 6, and information was immediately sent to states on the waiver submission process. The waiver removes some requirements of the Education and Secondary Education Act of 1965 relative to the federal fiscal year 2018 and 2019 funds. Sections of the federal statutes being waived are detailed below:
The Wyoming Department of Education will take public comment on the waiver through May 14, 2020. Comments can be submitted online here.
