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1/ The first report cards of the fall are here, and they show higher rates of students failing at least one, if not two or more, classes.
Students are turning in assignments late, skipping weeks of virtual school and falling behind in reading. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/23/texas-students-remote-learning-failing-schools/
Students are turning in assignments late, skipping weeks of virtual school and falling behind in reading. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/23/texas-students-remote-learning-failing-schools/
2/ This summer’s debate on school reopening was largely dominated by conversations about the health risks. Now, administrators believe the failing grades are the result of too many students learning from home.
More than 3 million Texas children are learning remotely.
More than 3 million Texas children are learning remotely.
3/ Some administrators are telling teachers: Do what you can to make sure kids pass.
One district added a note to its handbook allowing principals to “grant any exceptions.” Another principal told teachers to exhaust “all measures to assist the student before failing them.”
One district added a note to its handbook allowing principals to “grant any exceptions.” Another principal told teachers to exhaust “all measures to assist the student before failing them.”
4/ The trend has propelled schools to bring students back.
Dozens of school districts have gotten rid of their virtual learning options. Others are asking parents of struggling students to send them back in person. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/21/texas-schools-remote-in-person-learning/
Dozens of school districts have gotten rid of their virtual learning options. Others are asking parents of struggling students to send them back in person. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/21/texas-schools-remote-in-person-learning/
5/ The stakes for districts are high.
Schools will get ratings, and potentially penalties, based on student test scores this school year. And state funding is tied to student attendance, so they lose money if they lose students. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/23/texas-students-remote-learning-failing-schools/
Schools will get ratings, and potentially penalties, based on student test scores this school year. And state funding is tied to student attendance, so they lose money if they lose students. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/23/texas-students-remote-learning-failing-schools/
6/ The stakes for students are higher. Districts have reported losing track of thousands of students, some who haven’t gotten any education since last spring. Schools are sources of food, medical care for many. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/23/texas-students-remote-learning-failing-schools/
7/ School officials argue if they bring more students back, they need all their teachers back. That’s led to clashes with state and local teacher groups, who have pointed out numerous safety violations in schools. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/
8/ Pflugerville ISD gave teachers buckets of wipes that grew fuzzy green mildew, well past its shelf life.
The district has since switched out the wipes but teachers say they still don't feel protected. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/
The district has since switched out the wipes but teachers say they still don't feel protected. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/
9/ Texas' strict labor laws mean teachers who strike could be stripped of their jobs, teaching certificates and pension benefits. Teachers are protesting in other ways, like filing grievances and holding sickouts. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/
10/ State data on COVID-19 in schools is limited and full of gaps, but it points toward low student infection rates, encouraging some experts. But experts also say there’s a lot we don’t know about COVID-19 in schools.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/platform/amp/2020/10/22/21528835/schools-covid-spread-research-questions
https://www.chalkbeat.org/platform/amp/2020/10/22/21528835/schools-covid-spread-research-questions
11/ Many districts are denying teachers with medical conditions the ability to work from home, arguing they need them in classrooms. Teachers often have to use limited paid leave days if they feel unsafe. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/20/texas-schools-teachers-coronavirus-pandemic/
12/ Take Joy Tucker, for example. After several miscarriages over the last few years, she is finally pregnant with her third child at the age of 37.
At her doctor’s recommendation, she turned in a note asking her school if she could work remotely. Her request was denied.
At her doctor’s recommendation, she turned in a note asking her school if she could work remotely. Her request was denied.
13/13 Some teachers, like Dan Dawer, are simply resigning. Resigning after signing a contract means risking penalties, including a one-year suspension of a teaching license. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/
