REMOTE LEARNING

KPRC2 wanted to know what local school districts are planning to help failing students or to assist students that regressed over the last school year. We sent out a poll to all area school districts.

The percentage of students failing one or more classes went from 16 percent last year to 23 percent this year. The percent of students failing two or more classes doubled; it increased from seven percent last year to 15 percent this year. Remote students are less likely to complete their work and often fail to turn in assignments. Busto said unlike some of her peers she has adjusted nicely to remote learning. Bustos has applied to continue with remote learning but is waiting on the district to approve her decision.

Students in the Houston Independent School District -- the state’s largest school system -- are struggling academically and struggling far more than normal. It’s survival mode.”In a statement to KPRC 2, HISD confirmed that 42% of their students failed one or more classes in the first grading period of the fall, which was six weeks long. That grading period was nine weeks long and all in-person instruction. “Additionally, to support students who are facing academic challenges, interventions are in place during the school day. Also, high school students can attend virtual online classes for credit recovery.”Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a known critic of the school board, believes any solution needs to be hyper-focused on the students.

WHARTON, Texas – Officials at the Wharton Independent School District announced that all its campuses will transition to remote learning after seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases in students and staff. The district said it is taking all precautions and measures in efforts to prioritize the health and safety of its students and staff. The change in remote learning began at 4 p.m. Tuesday and will continue until Nov. 29. Face-to-face learning and remote learning will resume Nov. 30. District officials said all daily extracurricular activities are allowed to continue as planned with practices as long as the district’s protocols are being followed.

HOUSTON – A Wharton County school district is ending its remote learning program. Louise ISD said the remote learning approach has been unsuccessful for most students and will allow all students to return to schools on Tuesday, according to a letter to parents. Teachers and administrators will not longer be offering remote learning. “I am not mandating that your family chooses to return to school. Yet, I am suggesting that you make a decision that continues to provide the appropriate needs of your children,” said Louise ISD Superintendent Dr. Garth Oliver in release.

HOUSTON – Remote Learning in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic has put the issue of digital inequality in the spotlight. For students learning remotely, being able to connect to the internet without having issues is so important. Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia recognized the need and responded by creating study zones with free WiFi access to help bridge the gap that exists for so many families. North Shore Rotary Pavilion and Clear Lake Park, Landolt PavilionStudents and families interested in using either of the two locations must first register with Harris County Precinct 2. A mobile library, part of the Harris County Public Library System is on-site with free books, Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at North Shore and Thursday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Clear Lake

At least a third of children couldn’t access remote learning when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, creating “a global education emergency,” the U.N. children’s agency said. At the height of lockdowns meant to curb the pandemic, nearly 1.5 billion children were affected by school closures, UNICEF said. “For at least 463 million children whose schools closed due to COVID-19, there was no such a thing as remote learning,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. The highest number of children affection by region were in South Asia, at least 147 million, according to the report. The youngest children are also most likely to miss out on remote learning during critical years, the report said, largely due to challenges and limitations to online learning for young children and lack of assets at home.

Meanwhile, the largest district in the state that’s currently offering face-to-face instruction has now quarantined more than 1,150 students because of possible coronavirus exposure. According to numbers released Wednesday, around 70 students and staff members in the Cherokee County district have tested positive for COVID-19. Washington stateSeattle schools to start with remote teachingThe Seattle school board has voted unanimously to begin the academic year with remote teaching only. The Seattle Times reported the state’s largest school district approved the plan Wednesday. The remote learning plan passed with a wide-ranging amendment from school board members that directs the superintendent to explore creating outdoor classes.

ALIEF, Texas – Monday marks the third day of the new semester in Alief Independent School District. Student engagementTeachers are laser-focused right now on finding the best ways to monitor their students to make sure each one is participating. Chambers said student engagement has never been more important, especially when it comes to measuring their success. It’s that students are demonstrating that they are mastering the content that the teacher is teaching. One way we can measure whether they are mastering that or not is through their engagement,” Chambers said.