Families were given the opportunity to again choose between in-person or remote instruction by Oct. 6 in accordance with Texas Education Agency guidelines, which permit students to reselect a learning preference two weeks prior to the start of each grading period.
Deputy Superintendent Jeff Arnett said districtwide, about 60% of students requested in-person instruction for next semester—an increase from current on-campus enrollment.
During the previous selection process in August, 48% of families requested in-person instruction. However, a lower percentage actually returned to campus, according to Arnett, who said the rate was in the “lower 40s.”
On Oct. 19, the on-campus enrollment at Westlake High School is not expected to dramatically change, according to EISD. For a second time, about 48% of students requested in-person learning. In contrast, a higher percentage of students could return to campus at the elementary and middle school levels.
Previously, about 55% of Cedar Creek Elementary School students requested in-person learning—a rate that could increase to 72% on Oct. 19. West Ridge Middle School has been serving 50% of students on campus; however, per the updated results about 60% of students are now requesting in-person.
“If you look at the data for the elementary schools, the [in-person] increases are anywhere from 9% to 17%,” Arnett said.
The change in campus capacity could lead to teacher reassignments and increases to class sizes, though the EISD’s priority is to avoid those scenarios, according to Arnett.
If a student transitioning from either in-person or remote instruction were to be reassigned to a new teacher, Arnett said a campus principal would likely reach out to that student.
The class adjustments could also lead to more blended learning models at the elementary school level, meaning that teachers would instruct in-person and remote students.
As of 5 p.m. Oct. 6, 12% of families had not responded to the survey. Arnett said district officials are reaching out to those individuals because that data is crucial for transportation planning.
The board will review a more detailed enrollment and class size presentation at the next board meeting in October.
