Distance Learning at Lago Vista ISD
April 2, 2020
As you know, earlier this week Governor Abbott issued an executive order extending the State's shelter-in-place order. As a result, Lago Vista ISD has extended our current school closure through Friday, May 1st. This announcement is to provide parents with information about plans to move to distance learning beginning Monday, April 20th.
Right now, in addition to working hard to create the optional learning supports for our students, teachers have been busy building digital classroom spaces, reaching out to students and families, as well as engaging in online professional development to become familiar with new technology tools that will be needed to facilitate student learning through the upcoming weeks. Next week, they will also begin building distance learning modules to deliver new learning both online and through printed packets for students without Internet access.
Distance Learning Overview
Starting April 20th, our students will begin participating in distance learning through the use of tools like Seesaw (PK-3), Google Classrooms (4-8), and Canvas (9-12) to submit assignments and to receive feedback from teachers. Using these tools, teachers will also have the ability to send new learning material to students, which will allow them to view and repeat as needed in the timeframe that works best for their individual needs. Students participating in online instruction will also submit assignments through these digital classroom spaces. If they have not done so already, teachers will be reaching out to students and parents to help them get connected to their online classroom spaces in the coming days.
In order to provide maximum flexibility for students and families, Lago Vista ISD will be implementing an asynchronous distance learning model. This means that lessons and activities will be self-paced and will also be able to be carried out both online and offline. Asynchronous learning involves teacher-developed coursework delivered via online portals (e.g., Canvas, Google Classroom, Seesaw) or offline through paper-based packets. Online content will not be delivered in "real time" and will, instead, be posted for students to watch or complete at their own pace. Our goal is to be flexible and responsive, understanding that each of our families has their own unique situation. We also understand that some families will have multiple students that need to share technology or parents who are working/telecommuting during the day.
Learning Modules
Our classroom teachers will create weekly learning modules for students that will be sent out through digital classroom spaces each Monday, beginning April 20th. Students receiving paper packets due to lack of Internet access will have one packet per week, each containing one learning module. Each learning module will contain a series of activities and information with one graded assignment per week.
Once learning modules are sent out each Monday, parents and students will have opportunities throughout the week to receive support from our staff if they have questions or need help. In addition to responding to emails, teachers will have scheduled “office hours” when they will be available to help students in real time. Campuses are working on those schedules now and will communicate that information in the coming days.
Recommended Student Schedule
In addition to providing meaningful learning opportunities to students that are asynchronous (self-paced), we also want to ensure that we are mindful of overscheduling our students and parents. Our daily recommendations for total academic time on task are:
Pre-K: 30-45 minutes total per day
Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 45 mins - 1hr total per day
2nd - 5th: 1½ - 2 hrs total per day
6th - 8th : 2 - 4 hrs total per day
9th up : 4+ hrs, not to exceed 6 hours per day
Distance Learning Grading
While providing feedback to our students and progress monitoring their performance will not change, some of our grading guidelines will have to be amended during this time. As mentioned, we will take one grade per teacher/subject per week for TEKS-based courses. In order to receive a passing grade for the 4th nine weeks, students are expected to complete and submit each weekly assignment and meet grade-level standards. And, as always, a student's final grade in a course is the determination of the classroom teacher and must be based upon performance on assignments and assessments designed to evaluate students' master of the TEKS. [See Policy EIA(LEGAL)]
Grading for Grades PK-1
Grading for early childhood students will remain skills-based, though our paper-based report card system is presenting some challenges currently. We are working on ways to get feedback to parents for the 3rd nine weeks.
Nine Weeks Grading for Grades 2-12
Although assignments in grades 2-12 will continue to receive numeric grades, course grades for the 4th nine weeks will move to a Pass/Fail system. As such, grading for the 4th nine weeks will have three options:
I - INCOMPLETE (Will translate to a “0” if missing assignments are not submitted prior to May 15th).
P - PASS (100% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
F - FAIL (69% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
Semester Grading for Secondary Students
There will be no final exams for grades 6-12. For the spring semester of the 2019-2020 school year only, the second semester average in grades 6-12 will be determined using the nine-week averages only:
3rd Nine-Week Average = 50%
4th Nine-Week Average = 50%
Rank Calculation
Per policy, senior rank for graduation honors is calculated using the 3rd nine weeks and this year will be no different. Grades for the 3rd nine weeks will be finalized next week and report cards will be issued shortly thereafter.
Rank calculations for second semester will continue to be based off of the second semester grades in accordance with the calculation shown above. For the purpose of calculating the second semester average, a student with a passing grade for the 4th nine weeks will receive a 100% in the calculation. Semester grade calculations will continue to be weighted in accordance with District policy.
Retention and Promotion Standards
Lago Vista ISD's standards for grade-level retention and promotion will remain in effect, as outlined below.
Promotion in Kindergarten - Grade 1: In kindergarten–grade 1, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on demonstrated proficiency in the language arts and mathematics essential knowledge and skills, as outlined on grade-level, skills-referenced reports cards. In addition, the District shall require satisfactory performance in all other subject areas. [See Policy EIE(LOCAL)]
Promotion in Grades 2-8: In grades 2–8, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100 based on course-level, grade-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in three of the following areas: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. [See Policy EIE(LOCAL)]
Promotion in Grades 9-12: Grade-level advancement for students in grades 9–12 shall be earned by course credits. [See Policy EIE(LOCAL)]
Students Receiving Special Education Services (All Grades): Any modified promotion standards for a student receiving special education services shall be determined by the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee and documented in the student’s individualized education program (IEP). [See Policy EIE(LOCAL), Policy Series EHBA, and Policy EKB]
Additional Information About Distance Learning
Throughout this shift to online learning, Lago Vista ISD is committed to ensuring that we:
Provide equitable activities for students with and without Internet access;
Adjust lessons, resources, assignments, and grading for our 504, Special Education, and English Language Learner students;
Meet the needs of students receiving special education services and students served under Section 504-Dyslexia by providing resources and remote instructional support;
Review and ensure that students needing special services (such as 504, Special Education, LPAC) will be provided these services to the maximum extent possible;
Check-in with your student(s) regularly;
Adhere to policies, procedures, and expectations around teacher to student communication;
Ensure the safety and security of students in the online environment, to the extent possible;
Encourage parents to have their student(s) read for pleasure and journal write; and
Encourage students to play/exercise to help keep their minds and bodies relaxed and healthy.
Assistance with Device & Internet Access
Part of our instructional approach also includes providing equitable access to both devices and the Internet to students who may not have these resources readily available. Last week, the District distributed over 200 devices through our iPad Lending Program. If you did not request an iPad prior to the deadline last week, please email tech@lagovista.txed.net so that a request form may be sent to you.
For families that are unable to secure their own Internet access, the District has ordered a LIMITED number of WiFi hotspots that will be prioritized for students receiving free & reduced lunch. At this time, there is a delay in delivery due to nationwide demand and it is possible that we may not have enough hotspots available to meet demand.
If your family has been unable to secure access to the Internet and you would like to request a WiFi hotspot through our lending program, please submit a request form below (one per household). We will release more information about the distribution of these after they arrive in the District. **Please note that submitting a request form does not guarantee that the District will be able to provide you with a WiFi hotspot.**
https://forms.gle/8E1CJAKAJkmySQMPA
Until WiFi hotspots are delivered or if there are not enough to meet the demand, printed take-home lesson module packets and paper-based assignment submission will be made available at our drive-thru meal service for those who continue to lack access to the Internet beginning April 20th.
Commitment to Serving Our Students
During this time, you can expect that we will do all that we can to continue serving the students of Lago Vista ISD. We are committed to working with our families during this unprecedented time to ensure the success of all students.
We encourage our parents to continue using the Lago Vista ISD Learning Supports website as it is where we will post all information related to our plans for instructional continuity. We will also continue to provide suggestions for supplemental education enrichment resources, as well as optional learning supports for some of our specials and elective courses.
Our goal has and always will be to do what is best for our students and staff, both to ensure their safety and also to ensure they are receiving the best educational experience possible. Please know that this instructional continuity plan is a work in progress and we are committed to making improvements as we work through it. We appreciate your patience and support as we work together to educate our amazing students in Lago Vista ISD.