Is virtual learning right for your family? Here are things to consider as you make your decision.

Eligibility Criteria 

In order to be eligible for virtual instruction, the student must meet the following criteria:

● Attendance: The student must not have more than 10% unexcused absences in a school year. The student must maintain less than 10% unexcused absences in the current school year to remain eligible for virtual instruction. All Humble ISD students are required to attend classes (virtual and F2F) in accordance with the TEA mandated 90% attendance for credit rule.

● Academic:
   - Grades K-2: Students in Kindergarten, first and second grade must show progress in reading (as measured by the Humble reading literacy assessment) and math curriculum.
   - Grades 3-5: Students in third, fourth and fight grade must maintain a C or higher in all foundation curriculum courses (The 4 core courses of Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies).

● STAAR: Students must take the grade appropriate STAAR/EOC exam.

● There may be times throughout the year in which the virtual student may be required to attend a campus in person to complete assessments, tasks or exams, specifically STAAR.

● Students who select virtual learning for the school year, may be required to remain as a virtual student through the 1st nine weeks or semester due to course availability.

● Must complete Annual update within Home Access Center and provide proof of residency

● If the campus determines that the student’s attendance and/or academic performance in one or more classes puts them at significant risk of severe learning loss, then a campus administrator can begin the process to require the student return for face to face instruction on the campus.

Expectations

The expectations of the student, family, and teacher are all critical to the success of virtual learning.

Expectations of Students

● Workload: Students will receive a comparable workload similar to a face to face class. Work will be assigned daily, either during synchronous Zooms to share live with the teacher or assigned asynchronously through the LMS, or Learning Management System, for independent practice. Students are responsible for knowing what work is assigned, where to access the work, and acting on the feedback of submitted work.

● Learning Environments: Students should attend class in a quiet, distraction-free area as their undivided attention is crucial to their success and participation. They should learn and work in an area that allows them to prioritize their lessons and assignments while being seated, attentive, and involved.

● Attendance: Attending classes on time and being present for the full duration of each class is the best way to ensure students are successful. Information given in class is crucial to better understanding the assigned work. Synchronous class time offers valuable and necessary opportunities for teacher check ins, feedback and reteaching.

● Work Completion: Participation in synchronous work during classes and complete submissions of work assigned through the LMS is expected for the purposes of tracking student growth and understanding. Students will be graded based on the successful completion of assigned work. Students and parents are expected to routinely check grades and teacher feedback on work. Students should complete work systematically as it is assigned and while information from lessons is fresh in their minds. Virtual learners should use their asynchronous time wisely to ensure they are on track with assignment submissions.

● Communication: Students are expected and encouraged to reach out to their teacher or attend the Help Desk when reteaching is needed or when they are having difficulties accessing their classes or work in any capacity.

● Behavior: Students should arrive on Zoom prepared, alert, and appropriately dressed. They should engage respectfully with classmates and teachers, participate, and minimize distractions during class. Students should remain seated during lessons, mute when not purposefully interacting, and keep cameras on. Additional expectations will be set by the teacher.

Expectations of Family

● Learning Partner: Each virtual student requires an adult learning partner in the household who is responsible and accountable for the virtual student’s success. This includes attending classes on time, choosing an appropriate learning environment, ensuring successful work completion by the student to which it was assigned, and routinely checking grades, feedback, and upcoming due dates in the LMS. The learning partner is encouraged to frequently check in with the student and teacher to discuss successes, challenges, needs, and progress.

● Communication: Please immediately reach out to the teacher to communicate any barriers that prevent your student from being successful as a virtual learner, including technology, resources, class, or attendance issues.

What You Can Expect from Your Teacher

● Communication: Parents should expect detailed information about student progress during Conferences and routine communication throughout the year regarding content, expectations, successes, and concerns. Messaging may be sent through email or provided directly in the LMS. Teachers will advise parents in advance of any materials to be periodically retrieved from the school and will respond to messages in a timely manner.

● Schedule: Teachers will provide a routine schedule showing synchronous and asynchronous instruction times. The schedule will contain a week at a glance notating the assignments due that week and will be available to both parents and students prior to the week it becomes effective. Any changes to the routine schedule will be communicated with parents in advance.

● Grades: Teachers will take grades on assignments through the LMS in a timely manner, providing feedback and reteaching opportunities as needed. Deadlines for the grading period will be communicated in advance. Grades reflected on the Report Cards will be viewable in the Home Access Center (HAC).

● High Quality Instruction: Teachers will cultivate a welcoming, respectful virtual environment that allows for students to participate in meaningful work. They will deliver lessons and create assignments that provide students the chance to learn, practice, and master skills. Students will be given opportunities to collaborate with others and discuss their responses to higher-order questioning.

Learning Management Systems

● SeeSaw K-2
● Google Classroom or Schoology 3-5

These learning platforms are available on your student’s dashboard. You can locate them by going to my.humbleisd.net and logging in with your student’s Humble username and password. Please reach out to your student’s teacher if you do not know this information. Teachers provide resources, important information and work for students to complete on the LMS (Learning Management System). This is how teachers obtain grades, track progress, and provide feedback on student work. Students should engage in work completion on the LMS in a timely manner after the work is issued.

Additional Things to Know

 ● Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning throughout each day: “Synchronous” refers to the live instruction on Zoom where the students and teachers have virtual class together. “Asynchronous” refers to the periods of time during the day that students have been assigned work to complete on their own. Students are expected to utilize this time wisely and purposefully.The schedule from your teacher will note the synchronous and asynchronous times throughout the day.

● Wifi & Devices: Virtual learning cannot be successful without reliable wireless internet access and a device such as a Chromebook that allows students to fully engage with Zoom and digital work. Please reach out to your student’s home campus if you do not have these required resources. You may optionally consider a headset with a microphone. Please test all devices with your student to ensure success.

● Help Desk/Tutoring/Small Group: In addition to whole group instruction, teachers will provide targeted instruction during small groups. Students should attend each small group session just as they would the whole group instruction Zooms. Students and parents are encouraged to attend a daily Help Desk Zoom for reteaching opportunities, clarification, or technology assistance as needed. For further help, please discuss possible tutoring times with your teacher.

● Virtual School Supply List by Grade Level Provided: Elementary families will be provided a list of necessary supplies specific to virtual needs. These lists will be comparable to the price of the lists provided to face to face students.

● Specials (Music/PE/Art): Elementary Virtual students will still attend Specials classes via Zoom. These times and Zoom links will be provided to you by your student’s teacher. Grades for progress and report cards are taken from Specials classes, therefore student attendance is expected. Elementary Specials classes will assign work through Seesaw.

Virtual Learning Video - Elementary

Watch this video for things to consider as you make your decision.