Before class is officially back in session, here are five things to know about Round Rock ISD’s digital curriculum.
- At-home learning will be asynchronous.
For RRISD students, lessons will be conducted asynchronously, meaning that instructors will not be educating students via real-time videoconferencing. Synchronous education requires all students to log on for classes under a consistent daily schedule and on a face-to-face call with teachers and other instructors.
The decision to use asynchronous learning was made to provide for “maximum flexibility” and accessibility to students, according to information provided by the district. As a result, students will be able to complete assignments under a less rigid schedule and can receive recorded messages and lessons from teachers via email for further instructions. - Printed copies of materials can be provided.
For students with limited access to the Internet or who prefer paper copies of assignments, physical materials will be available at curbside breakfast and lunch distribution sites within the district.
A complete list and map of meal pickup locations is available here. - District Wi-Fi hotspots and free internet providers will soon be available.
RRISD has placed orders for Wi-Fi hotspots for students without Internet access to use for online assignments during the extended at-home learning period. More information on the hotspots will be provided by the district once they are available for use.
The following Internet service providers are also offering free broadband and WiFi access for 60 days:
Comcast: Free Internet Essentials service. www.internetessentials.com. 855-846-8376, English; 855-765-6955, Spanish.
Spectrum: Free broadband and Wi-Fi access for households with K-12 and/or college students without a current Spectrum broadband subscription. 844-488-8395.
Suddenlink: Free internet to households in its service area with K-12 and/or college students. alticeadvantageinternet.com. 888-633-0030. - Special education curriculums are included.
Online resources for functional learning, deaf education and dyslexia have been included by the district under its at-home learning page.
Resources include a sample daily routine and educational schedule for low-incidence disability learning; American Sign Language electronic books and education materials; social skills and recreational lessons; and occupational development resources. - STAAR exams have been waived.
Abbott waived requirements for statewide testing and has requested a separate waiver from the United States Department of Education regarding all testing requirements for the duration of the academic year. As a result, the Texas Education Agency will not administer STAAR exams this school year.
TEA will provide guidance to RRISD and other Texas school districts on matters related to state assessments, including 2020 graduating seniors and class rankings for future graduating classes. TEA has also extended the window for Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System testing and processing.
