New measures include deferred student loan payments, updated remote learning guidance and enacting legislation to protect residents from evictions and foreclosures. 

NOTE: Although school is closed, virtual learning continues!

Read more here. 

With schools shuttered and kids at home — some even asked to stay indoors — parents must now balance their work responsibilities with the educational needs of their children. But finding a place to start can prove downright daunting. Sifting through the online options may prove more overwhelming than useful, so we turned to experts to offer a simplified list.

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 Will Refund More Than $1.8 Billion to Students and Families

Read more about it here.

Governor Baker has issued an executive order extending licenses for certain licensed professionals, including licensed educators. The order states that a license that is “in good standing” as of March 18, 2020, and that has expired or will expire during the state of emergency, is now extended and will remain valid until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency. The Department expects to issue guidance to implement the terms of the order.

The Department is exploring all options around this year’s testing requirements. To date, DESE has postponed both the Grade 10 English language arts assessment scheduled to begin on March 24 and the opening of the grades 3-8 English language arts assessment window scheduled for March 30. The Department will keep districts informed of decisions related to the spring 2020 assessment schedule and the competency determination. There may be an opportunity for a one-year assessment and accountability waiver from the federal government, but even if that is granted, we would need legislative relief from our state legislature to waive the state law around the testing requirement.

Staff in the Center for Instructional Support have  assembled a list of resources that districts can add to their own, and DESE is working with public broadcaster WGBH and its partner station WGBY to provide other resources. Educators have free access to PBS LearningMeadia and the stations’ newly created online distance learning center.

-DESE

"Upon a proper request, the Department will grant a waiver to any state that is unable to assess its students due to the ongoing national emergency, providing relief from federally mandated testing requirements for this school year."

-U.S Department of Education; March 20, 2020

Student Debt Relief Act Background & Key Points - Click.

"Two representatives introduced Monday the Student Debt Emergency Relief Act, which they say would provide debt relief for 45 million workers and families while boosting the economy." -7News-Boston Site 

"Democrats on Monday unveiled legislation that would forgive at least $30,000 in student debt for borrowers amid the coronavirus pandemic." -CNBC Site

ATTENTION: You may be able to temporarily stop making your payments! Contact your loan servicer to find out your specific options.

To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment.

Click here to learn more.