A Message from Matt Stem: During the COVID-19 mitigation efforts, local education agencies (LEAs) have the responsibility of ensuring that students who were anticipated to graduate in Spring 2020 can graduate on time. In this document (click here), an LEA is defined as a school district, comprehensive career and technical center (CTC), charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school or intermediate unit.

The document is intended to provide LEA leaders with guidance and resources as they make decisions related to current high school seniors. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) also provides regular updates and information on the COVID-19 pandemic for schools and communities on the PDE website.

It is the responsibility of each LEA to ensure no student is restricted from completing their high school graduation requirements or pursuit of a postsecondary pathway due to the current circumstances. Each LEA should review its current local graduation policies and procedures, including course, credit, and grade-based requirements, and make timely decisions related to whether the policies and procedures must be revised or suspended.

Please email PDE at RA-EDContinuityofEd@pa.gov if you have any additional questions or need clarification. To help us route your inquiry more effectively, please include to what department the question is targeted, such as special education, career and technical education, charter schools, or curriculum and instruction. Department staff will reply to you in the most timely manner possible. 

Please stay safe and well during these difficult times. Thank you for your continued dedication to the children of the Commonwealth.