Due to the continued extraordinary circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented challenges students, educators, staff, and schools are facing during the 2021-2022 school year, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is requesting a waiver from the U. S. Department of Education according to section 8401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). As part of the waiver process under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, local education agencies and the public are invited to provide comments between Aug. 11, 2022, to Sept. 6, 2022. Please visit https://www.mdek12.org/OFP/Home for additional information.