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20-21 » OPTION 2: At-Home Online Learning

OPTION 2: At-Home Online Learning

Bryan ISD's At-Home Online learning experience in 2020-2021 will be more rigorous than online learning that took place during the school closures in the spring. Bryan ISD teachers will teach students online through Schoology.
 
  • One Login: All students will access all of their classes by going to go.bryanisd.org, clicking on the Schoology App, and logging in using their Bryan ISD student login. All of their lessons from every class including messages from their teachers will be right there when they log in. Students simply click on the lesson and complete the assignment. Have questions? Click HERE to watch a video about how to log in, access your classes, and complete your assignments.

  • Lessons: Learning through Schoology is similar to learning at school, except teachers will upload lessons online. We encourage students to log into their Schoology account every day and complete that day’s lessons and activities. Students can ask their teachers questions through Schoology, and if you have questions for your child’s teacher, you can message them through Schoology.

  • Graded Assignments: Bryan ISD will grades assignments completed through Schoology. Lessons in Schoology will mimic those in the classroom, but students can complete them each day at the time most convenient for them. This will allow families with multiple children to share one Chromebook, and still complete all the lessons.
 
*Please Note: A small number of students will learn through Edgenuity instead of Schoology. These students will be notified by their school and receive separate instructions.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
 

Students at-home must participate in daily instructional engagement for attendance and to ensure academic progress.   Student engagement and academic progress can be measured by:

  • Teacher/student interactions for each day
  • Progress on lessons within Schoology planned for each day 
  • Submission of completed assignments planned by the communicated deadline.

Students will participate on-line for a minimum of:

  • Full day PreK – 180 instructional minutes 
  • K through 5th grade – 180 instructional minutes
  • 6th through 12th grade – 240 instructional minutes

 

To ensure successful at-home learning, the student will:

To ensure successful at-home learning, the parent will:
  • Login to each class every day and participate in the daily lesson, either real-time (synchronously) or self-paced (asynchronously).
  • Engage in learning for each class every day by completing and turning in the daily lesson/activity, as defined by the teacher, by 11:59 p.m. the day it is assigned.
  • Students will receive instruction in the following ways (included, but not limited to): 
    • Live or recorded video lessons 
    • Online assignments, quizzes, discussions 
    • At-home, hands-on activities
    • Online group/partner projects
    • When necessary, academic interventions will be scheduled for students to best meet their academic needs. Teachers will communicate directly with students if this is required.
    • Take responsibility and advocate for themselves by asking questions and reaching out to teachers as needed.
  • Ensure their student has reliable and daily access to a device and internet.
  • Provide a quiet study area and essential school supplies.
  • Ensure their student logs in each day for each class and participates in the live or recorded lesson. 
  • Ensure their student engages in learning each day by completing and turning in the daily lesson/activity, as defined by the teacher. 
  • Check their student’s grades weekly and encourage their student to advocate for themselves if additional assistance is needed.
  • Maintain open communication with the school and teachers.

ARD/IEP, 504, LPAC and RTI committees will determine the unique needs of impacted students in making support and service recommendations for students participating in at-home learning. 

FULL RETURN TO LEARN PLAN (IN ONGOING DRAFT FORM)
 
Please Note:

Information in this document is subject to change based on the fluid nature of community health concerns and new information provided by the Texas Education Agency & other governing entities.

 
Return to Learn Plan Cover
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
CHOOSING A LEARNING OPTION
 
Can students change their commitment from At-Home Learning to In-Person Learning after the start of the school year?
Due to the scheduling complexities inherent in these two options, parents will be asked to make a commitment for at least one full 6-week grading period. Special circumstances that affect a family will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the campus principal. Please note that if a student switches between On-Campus Learning and At-Home Learning, then that student may not have the same teacher(s) or course schedule.

How do parents commit to an instructional model of choice for their child?
For current students, parents will complete the commitment form no later than August 3 at 8:00 a.m. Upon enrollment, new students will be provided the opportunity to select their instructional model.

What happens after making a commitment to participate in At-Home Learning?
For elementary students, the assigned homeroom teacher will contact the parent/student near the start of the school year welcoming them to their class.

For secondary students, Bryan ISD staff will make adjustments to course schedules placing students in At-Home sections. A parent/student may be contacted to discuss any applicable scheduling options based on the student’s current course selections.
 
What happens if I do not make a commitment by
August 3?
All students who do not have a commitment in place by August 3rd will be placed in On-Campus, Face-to-Face learning.
Will students participating in At-Home Learning receive live, teacher-led instruction for the full length of a school day?

Students will be provided flexibility to participate in online classes with teacher interaction and engagement. A student’s schedule may reflect short periods of synchronous learning scheduled throughout the day followed by time for independent, asynchronous learning activities. It should also include breaks and lunch. The schedule will vary by grade, course, or student. A caregiver will need to be available to support younger students in navigating the daily schedule and providing assistance with the learning as needed. During At-Home Learning, time management will be critical to student success. Students, teachers, and parents should utilize frequent communication regarding daily schedules and assignments to ensure that students are progressing towards mastery of the learning outcomes.

How will At-Home Learning be different from the instruction provided during the school closure last spring?
Students who select At-Home Learning will be required to virtually attend and participate in class daily and specified instruction will be led by a teacher. In the spring of last year, students’ assignments were provided at a reduced amount of instructional minutes as compared to a traditional school day. At-Home Learning this year will be a full course load of instruction and assignments that are comparable to what students who are attending school in-person will be required to complete. Teachers delivering At-Home instruction will receive additional training and support in best practices that are effective in a remote, online environment.

How will teachers address any potential learning needs from the school closure last spring?
To support all students, the district curriculum will highlight academic standards that teachers will consider as they plan to address the potential learning impacts resulting from the school closure. Teachers will use formative assessments and supplemental resources to personalize student learning to address areas of need.

Will there be attendance requirements for At-Home students?
Yes, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will require daily attendance and participation in At-Home Learning. Students will be required to participate in online classes daily and traditional attendance rules will be enforced. A student will be considered absent if the student does not participate in instruction at any time during the day.
 
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
Synchronous learning is learning in which two or more individuals are engaging in learning at the same time (for example, a live teacher-led lesson using a videoconference tool). Asynchronous learning occurs at different times, without real-time interaction students learn from instruction that is not being delivered live.
 
What online learning management system will be used to support elementary students in At-Home Learning?
The benefit of an online learning management system is to streamline all digital tools and content for a more connected learning experience for students. The district has identified Schoology as the learning management system for elementary students across the district. Schoology helps organize assignments, boosts collaboration, and fosters communication. Resources will be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools.

What online learning management system will be used to support secondary students in At-Home Learning?
The benefit of an online learning management system is to streamline all digital tools and content for a more connected learning experience for students. Secondary students in grades 7-12 will utilize either the learning management system Schoology or Edgenuity. Resources will also be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools.
Will computer devices be made available to students who need them?
Yes. Computer devices will be distributed to those students who need them as available.

Can I purchase a computer for my child to use at home?
Yes. While we do not endorse a certain type of computer, when purchasing a computer for your child to use at home please select a device that includes the specifications provided on the district’s website: https://www.bryanisd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=177750&type=d&pREC_ID=368831

Will students in At-Home Learning have access to instructional materials, such as guided reading books or other classroom resources?
Students will be provided with some instructional materials that will vary based on the grade level and coursework of the student. Some resources may be provided digitally. The design of classroom instruction will account for student’s access to specific instructional materials in the home.

Will students participating in At-Home Learning need to purchase school supplies for the new year?
Yes. Families will need to purchase typical school supplies. Students who are participating in the At-Home Learning will need to purchase the necessary listed supplies from the grade level supply list in order to complete their assignments.
How will student progress be reported?
Overall progress on learning outcomes will be communicated in a “traditional” format using numeric grades. Assignments and grades will be entered into the Home Access Center. The expectations for coursework and guidelines for grading for On-Campus Learning and At-Home Learning will be the same.

Will courses taken in At-Home Learning be included in GPA calculations and class rank for high school students?
Courses taken by students participating in At-Home Learning will be included in calculating GPA and class rank in accordance with EIC (Local) policy.

Will STAAR/EOC be administered in 2020-2021?
Yes. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated that STAAR testing will still occur during the 2020-2021 school year, in compliance with state and federal legislation.
 
Will resources be available for parents to support and monitor their child’s At-Home Learning?
Yes. Resources will be available for parents to learn how to support students in navigating learning through these digital tools. These resources will be available in August.
Will all courses be offered in At-Home Learning for students in Grades 7-12?
Teachers will work with students as applicable.

Will dual credit courses follow Bryan ISD guidelines and schedules for Fall 2020?
As we finalize the master schedules to coincide with Blinn College, more details will be forthcoming.

Can secondary students who select At-Home Learning still participate in athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities?
Yes, students who select At-Home Learning may participate in extracurricular activities if they meet all UIL requirements, are enrolled in the applicable extracurricular course section, and are able to attend on-campus practices and competitions. Students must have their own transportation to and from practices, rehearsals, etc.

Will students in grades 7-12 be able to participate in clubs and organization meetings and/or activities?
Yes, students who select At-Home Learning or On-Campus Learning may participate in clubs and/or organizations. Meetings may be held virtually, as applicable. Students must have their own transportation to and from campus.
Will meals be provided for students who select At-Home Learning?
Information regarding meals on campus and grab and go will be forthcoming.

Are immunizations required for students enrolled in At-Home Learning?
Yes, at this time the Texas Department of State Health Services has not waived the vaccine requirements for students.

Will my child have virtual access to their campus nurse during the school day?
Yes, parents and students may contact the school nurse by phone or e-mail during school hours.

How will At-Home Learning be staffed?
Schools will continue to be staffed based upon student enrollment. The staffing for At-Home Learning versus On-Campus Learning will be determined by enrollment and student course selections.

Will elementary students be assigned to a teacher from their home campus?
The assignment of students for At-Home Learning will be based on student enrollment and will be assigned to their home campus unless there is a special circumstance.

Will students participating in At-Home Learning remain enrolled and still be associated with their home campus?
Yes, students will continue to be connected to their home campus, regardless of teacher assignment. Parents will continue to receive communication from the home campus. Students and parents can participate in virtual events, as applicable.
Will students identified as English Learners, Dyslexic and/or Gifted and Talented receive services during At-Home Learning?
Yes. More information will be available at a later date.

Will students receiving services from Special Education or 504 be eligible for At-Home Learning?
Yes, all students in Bryan ISD will have the opportunity to choose On-Campus Learning or At-Home Learning.

Will an ARD/504 meeting be required if At-Home Learning is chosen?
ARD and 504 meetings will be scheduled on a case by case basis. For students served in special education, the schedule of instructional and related services should be accurately documented in the ARD/IEP to reflect the supports and services the student requires for FAPE. A parent/guardian may request an ARD or 504 meeting at any time.

I have chosen At-Home Learning for my student, but he/she requires an evaluation for 504 or special education this school year. Will the evaluation also take place via virtual methods?
If your student requires an initial or re-evaluation, the parent/guardian will be contacted to discuss the evaluation and determine components that can be completed virtually versus those components that require face-to-face interaction. Appointments with evaluation staff will be scheduled at the campus to complete face-to-face components.
ATTENTION: All commitment form emails regarding learning choices for next school year have been sent out. If you didn’t receive one, please check your Promotion & Spam folders. If you still don't see it, please call your child's campus from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or email BISD_enrollment@bryanisd.org. If you call after hours, please leave a message for us to call you back.