ESSA New Guidance

The Iowa Department of Education is issuing new guidance for Iowa districts and nonpublic schools addressing an optional federal waiver for the 2019-20 school year that allows Iowa to waive several ESSA requirements, including those related to assessment, accountability and school identification as well as certain reporting requirements related to assessments and accountability.

Iowa submitted this waiver to the U.S. Department of Education on March 30, and received approval on April 1. Public comment on the approved waiver can be provided via email to ESSA@iowa.gov through April 30.

This guidance will be added to the COVID-19 Guidance and Information page on the Dept. website. All current guidance from the Iowa Department of Education can be found on this page. Please know that we will continue to keep you informed of any future updates to the guidance we have issued.