Answers to Your "Stay at Home Order" Questions About Education

Most California K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are closing or moving online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The governor’s executive order ensures that K-12 public schools will retain full funding, even if they close campuses. For current information about closures and their impact on the school year, check your local school district.

California released guidance to help K-12 education leaders meet the needs of all students affected by school closures, with an emphasis on assisting low-income children and those with disabilities. The guidance covers:

• Distance learning and independent study

• School meal delivery

• Accommodations for students with disabilities

• Child care and supervision

Guidance for higher education

The California Department of Public Health released Guidance for Colleges and Universities.

For colleges and universities, see:

• University of California

• California State University (CSU)

• California Community Colleges

Questions and answers

Will families still have access to free or reduced meals if their schools close?

The governor’s executive order ensures public schools will retain full funding. Check your local school district for more information on how and where to receive services, including school meals.

How will students with disabilities receive services during school closures?

The California Department of Education has released guidance on distance learning to support schools in serving all students through this outbreak. This guidance includes recommendations to ensure equity and access for all students.

Will there be standardized testing? When?

Probably not: on March 18, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an executive order to waive this year’s statewide testing for California’s more than 6 million students in K-12 schools, pending federal approval.