Any Texas student may learn online in fall. Masks, symptom checks required for campus

Jul. 7--Students returning to campuses this fall amid the novel coronavirus' outbreak must screen themselves for symptoms and must wear masks if Gov. Greg Abbott's order mandating them is still in place, according to guidance released Tuesday by the Texas Education Agency.

While schools must provide daily on-campus attendance for students, any parent may request that their student be offered virtual instruction from any district offering it. However, they may be asked to commit to remote instruction for at least a full grading period, and parents who choose to switch from a virtual to classroom setting may be limited to transitioning at the end of grading periods.

To facilitate the transition back to campuses in the fall, districts may also temporarily limit access to in-person instruction during the first three weeks of the school year, according to the public health guidance.

"Both as Commissioner and as a public school parent, my number one priority is the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff," Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement. "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."

In a news release, the agency said that assuming Abbott's mask mandate issued last week is still in effect, schools will be required to comply with it. Children under 10 years old are exempt from wearing a mask under Abbott's order, which only applies to counties with 20 or more confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Districts also have the option to require the use of face masks or shields for adults and students "for whom it is developmentally appropriate."

School districts must require teachers and staff to self-screen for symptoms daily before coming onto campus, which should include a temperature check. Parents must ensure they don't send their child to campus if they're exhibiting symptoms or if they're confirmed to have a positive case.

Districts may also consider screening students by asking questions in-person or electronically, and while a regular temperature check of students who aren't exhibiting students is not recommended, "the practice is also not prohibited by this guidance."

The screening and mask requirements are a change of course after the agency had told lawmakers on a call last month and outlined in draft documents that districts would not be required to mandate face masks or test students for COVID-19 symptoms.

If a student is showing symptoms, they must be separated from others until they can be picked up. Students who are feeling feverish should immediately have their temperature checked, according to the guidance.

Additionally, districts must notify all teachers, staff and students if a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified on campus. Schools must close off any areas that were heavily used by the person who tested positive until they can be cleaned or unless more than three days have passed since they have been on campus.

The guidance takes effect immediately, and applies to both summer school classes and plans for the 2020-21 school year.

The agency's news release notes that, "due to the nature of this pandemic, parents and educators should expect to see some campuses close for brief periods during the upcoming school year," with possible changes to the guidance as well.

Sen. Beverly Powell, a Democrat from Burleson who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said the state must work with individual districts and consult with public health experts to ensure that students and teachers can both be kept safe and have their needs met.

"It is too soon to determine the safety of reopening schools as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Texas continue to rise," Powell said in a statement Tuesday. "Today's guidance is a first step, but it is just that... a first step. It is crucial that our state and local school districts continue to seek the advice of public health professionals before Texas students and teachers ultimately return to a traditional school setting."

The Fort Worth school district announced last month that students would have the option of returning to the classroom or continuing their learning online in the fall, and in a statement Tuesday Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner said that the TEA's guidance is "right in line with the plans we have been making for the 2020-2021 school."

Scribner stressed that personal protective equipment for students and staff and day-long cleaning activities will help reduce potential exposure to the virus.

The TEA's guidance features recommendations like hand sanitizer at each entrance and in every classroom, a minimum of six feet between desks in classrooms and eliminating activities that may facilitate close contact, like assemblies.

___

(c)2020 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.