The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance on providing services to English Learners (EL) during the COVID-19 
Outbreak.
Key items discussed include:
• Like special education, if a school district is providing remote learning to students, it must provide language support to English learners. The guidance recognizes, however that “during this national emergency, schools may not be able to provide all services in the same manner they are typically provided.” Services may be provided online, virtually or by telephone.
• Schools should continue providing support similar to what they had provided before school buildings closed, with language services provided “to the greatest extent possible.” This includes providing equitable services to eligible private school ELLs and their teachers where there is an agreement to provide services.
• A student’s English learner status cannot be removed “unless the student has demonstrated proficiency on a valid and reliable assessment” of their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. If schools were not able to administer proficiency assessments before school buildings closed, they can be done in the fall.
• Districts providing remote instruction still have an obligation screen new students to determine whether they require English language services. Screening must be done within 30 days. The screening can be done remotely.
FACT SHEET: PROVIDING SERVICES TO ENGLISH LEARNERS DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK (May 18, 2020)
