The Texas Education Agency announced that parents will be able to choose whether their children attend classes in person or online during the coming school year.
The agency said on Tuesday that schools will be open for any parent who decides to send their child to in-person classes. Schools will also be providing lessons online for students whose parents do not feel comfortable sending them to school during the coronavirus pandemic. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said he believes the plan gives parents the flexibility to determine what is best for their children.
“Both as Commissioner and as a public school parent, my number one priority is the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff. That is why the guidance laid out today will provide flexibility to both parents and districts to make decisions based on the ever-changing conditions of this public health crisis,” Morath said.
Morath acknowledged that children can become ill from the coronavirus, even though it is very rare. He pointed to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which advised that schools reopen with the goal of having students physically in class to allow for a holistic education that cannot be obtained online.
Under the new guidance, schools must publish their safety and sensitization plans for public review at least one week before classes begin. All students and staff will be required to wear a face mask inside schools. Students and staff are advised to take their temperature and report any symptoms. If they are ill, students and staff must stay home.
If schools do detect a student or staff member with the coronavirus, they must notify the local health department and all members of the school about the outbreak.
Texas has been struggling to contain a surge in new coronavirus cases over the past few weeks. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, mandated the use of face coverings in most counties, and Austin Mayor Steve Adler, a Democrat, warned that his city could run out of hospital beds within two weeks if the uptick in cases does not subside.
President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have been urging schools to plan to have in-person instruction in the fall.
