California Department of Education wanted to share Memo SP 0702021 which was released on February 19, 2021, which provides guidance for certain data collection. On January 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the attached fact sheet that outlines options and clarification for State Educational Agencies (SEAs) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to successfully implement programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) while operating under Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) waiver flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fact sheet outlines ESEA requirements and highlights options for collecting data for the various ESEA programs, when National School Lunch Program (NSLP) data for school year (SY) 2020–21 is not readily available. SEAs and LEAs often choose to use NSLP data to carry out activities under the following ESEA programs:

•       Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs

•       Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction

•       Title V, Part B - Rural and Low-Income School Program