COVID-19 Waivers

COVID-19 LEA Waiver Requests

Pursuant to Chapter 652 of the Public Acts of 2020, the commissioner of education was granted the authority, upon the approval of the State Board of Education (SBE), to waive state statutes and/or SBE rules that inhibit or hinder the ability of local education agencies (LEAs) to meet their goals or comply with their mission due solely to the outbreak of COVID-19 (T.C.A. § 49-6-309). This waiver granting authority expired on March 1, 2021.

COVID-19 Remote Learning Waiver Requests

During the 2021-22 school year, districts were permitted to apply for waivers of Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapters 0520-01-03 and 0520-01-13 related to remote instruction to the extent necessary to allow students affected at the classroom or school level by COVID-19 isolation or quarantine to participate in remote instruction. The commissioner granted such waivers in cases where districts could demonstrate and document COVID-related needs in their school communities that necessitate a temporary shift to remote instruction for classrooms or entire schools.