If your family may prefer virtual learning as an additional health and safety precaution, please access the survey. (*Updated 09/20: This survey is now closed. If you didn’t get a chance to share your feedback, don’t worry! This survey is only being used to gauge community interest and will not affect your future enrollment in this option.)

IDEA Public Schools will soon offer qualifying students in Texas a virtual learning option, in accordance with state legislation that became law this week. The law limits virtual enrollment to 10% of IDEA’s student population. Students must qualify based on multiple criteria established by the law, including: 

• Currently enrolled at IDEA Public Schools 
• Passed/Promoted from the previous school year 
• They have reasonable access to in-person services at their IDEA school 
• Maintain less than 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period  
• For students who participated in virtual or remote instruction for most instructional days during the 2020-21 school year they must have: 

• • Maintained a C or higher in each of the core classes taken virtually or remotely 
  • Passed all previous STAAR exams or assessments if STAAR was not taken 
  • Maintained unexcused absences totaling less than 10% of instructional days in the prior year 

• Continue to meet any minimum academic standards established by IDEA Public Schools 
• Note: Students who enroll in a remote learning program can participate in in-person extracurricular activities at their school 

While IDEA’s virtual learning plan is still being developed, it is likely that students who enroll in this virtual option will be placed into new online classrooms, with teachers who are not their current teachers and with classmates they may not already know. Teachers will not be expected to lead classes simultaneously in person and online. 

For IDEA students who attend school in person but must temporarily isolate at home because of COVID illness, or quarantine because of contact with an ill person, IDEA will provide a short-term online instructional option called “remote conferencing.” This program is different from the virtual learning option we are announcing today. If remote conferencing becomes necessary for your child, their school will be in touch with you to make those arrangements. 

As we identify and prepare staff and develop the remote learning option for the 2021-22 school year, we want to hear from our families in Texas and determine family interest in this option at this time.  

If your family may prefer virtual learning as an additional health and safety precaution, please share your interest via a brief survey by 5 p.m. CT on Friday, September 17th. (*Updated 09/20: This survey is now closed. If you didn’t get a chance to share your feedback, don’t worry! This survey is only being used to gauge community interest and will not affect your future enrollment in this option.)

We will assess the survey results and follow up to share important next steps and information with our families.