Remote Learning

PLEASE NOTE:
The details below are subject to change as directives are provided by governing authorities and/or health officials or as environmental conditions change.

Remote instruction will include both synchronous and asynchronous instruction:

Synchronous instruction -- two-way, real-time, live instruction between teachers and students, through the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
Asynchronous Instruction – when students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone. Includes pre-recorded videos.

Participation

Students:

Follow principles of Victoria ISD’s learner profile
Follow the designated schedule communicated by their campus to attend class during synchronous times and complete asynchronous activities assigned
Participate in learning through live class time (using proper etiquette)
Students should take responsibility for advocating for themselves
Turn in school work at the direction of the assigned teacher
Responsible for participation in the lesson
Daily participating in classes at designated times

Parents:

Consider creating a designated learning space for your child at home to learn comfortably
Maintain communication with your child’s teacher by phone, email messages, and/or online meetings to create a learning partnership
Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.
Monitor and ask for evidence that your child is on track with assignments and coursework. Check campus homepage for links to teacher lessons and Canvas course.
Provide your child with assistance on their single sign-on and day-to-day activities except for designated independent work.
Assist in supporting your child’s needs by establishing and managing the daily schedule communicated by the teacher and the campus

Remote Learning Expectations

In Victoria ISD, our Remote Learning will require support from caring adults at home and within the online classroom environment. Activities are designed to ensure that students continue learning at the pace of the current Victoria ISD scope and sequence as well as continue to develop a love of learning and gain appropriate academic and social-emotional skills that are essential to our students meeting their goal of being future ready. Classes within the Remote Learning will follow the schedule of classes at the student’s home campus.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, Victoria ISD will structure the students’ learning schedule to require students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning. We will ensure open lines of communication between teachers, students and parents. ARD/IEP Committees will determine the unique needs of students who are IEP-entitled in making support and service recommendations for students attending school virtually. The nature of special education interventions will likely require a heavier concentration of synchronous supports and services to ensure individual student needs are met.

Victoria ISD expectations for synchronous learning

- Students attend class on time - per their class schedule
- Students will dress appropriately
- Students are ready to learn
- Workspace is designated for the student
- Students will show their face on the screen to engage with the teacher virtually
- Students will participate in the class

Victoria ISD expectations for asynchronous learning

- Complete asynchronous activities assigned each day
- Students show proof of participation in daily virtual instruction by satisfactorily completing assigned assignments to demonstrate evidence of student learning (i.e. video, picture, or activities submitted as lessons and/or completing assignments. Please note, not all lessons must have an assignment, as there will be teacher discretion on the number of assignments, as they follow the VISD grading guidelines.
- Students and parents will communicate with the teacher when needing additional assistance, tutoring, etc.

Instructional Delivery

The goal for our Remote Learning is to allow for continued instruction while acknowledging the additional challenges that come without traditional, face-to-face classroom learning. Victoria ISD is aware of and acknowledges the challenges faced by students and families and ensures that educational decisions are built to support all populations of students. Parents/guardians must also commit to a sense of cooperation in supporting the schools decision-making role.

Instruction appropriately focuses on student progress on standards and the continuation of learning. During the period of school closure and remote instruction, students may receive instruction in the following ways (including, but not limited to):

Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback for continued progress in learning of the standard
Hands-on activities which may need an extra pair of at “home” hands
Choice boards and playlists
Instructional activities within TEAMS
Portfolio tasks and turning in of assignments
Assessments
Video lessons
Project based learning/assignments
Group/partner projects

Credits

Victoria ISD has worked collaboratively to establish guidelines that provide a healthy learning environment for staff and students as we enter the fall of 2020. The VISD Logistics Committee was formed to develop a comprehensive logistical plan for elementary and secondary campus daily operations that utilize effective disease mitigation strategies to promote a healthy environment for VISD students and staff.

The VISD Logistics Committee was composed of teachers, principals and district personnel that have expertise and insight into the daily operations and safety protocols at the campus level.

Intervention & Enrichment

Intervention and enrichment time will be scheduled regularly for students to best meet their academic needs. During this time, students may engage in assigned group activities, project learning activities, small group instruction, and digital platforms. Teachers will communicate with students their plan for the designated time.

For students who are IEP-entitled, progress will be carefully monitored and ARD/IEP Committees will convene and make appropriate recommendations to meet individual student needs to ensure continued growth in the general education curriculum and on IEP goals and objectives.

Remote Learning Grading

Grading for all Remote Learning courses will follow the same grading policy as the courses in the Face-to-Face model. Remote Learning courses that earn high school credit will count in GPA calculation and class rank.

Schedules

During virtual instruction, time management is critical to success. Students and teachers must remain in communication regarding daily schedules and assignments. As with any traditional course, there is a risk of receiving a lower grade if a student falls behind. If your student is struggling with time management, then he or she should contact his or her teacher for additional assistance.

In keeping with our identity as an outstanding school district, teachers will structure the instructional day to follow their campus bell schedule.

Within each course, teachers will plan for students to participate in synchronous and asynchronous learning depending on the identified learning model.