Under the asynchronous model, RRISD students do not log onto a videoconferencing platform for set instruction times. District officials said the reasoning behind the model is to allow for increased accessibility and flexibility to parents and students during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We recognize the critical importance of the student-teacher connection and we are asking our teachers to provide at least one opportunity a week for students to join in a video chat through Google Meet," the release stated, adding the video chats are optional.
District officials said in the release an optional video chat lends itself to encouragement and student checkups, as well as offering a platform for answering assignment-related questions. While other districts have already implemented video chat offerings for students, district leaders said in the release that RRISD wanted to vet platforms and put in preliminary safety measures first.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced April 17 that all Texas school districts would remain closed for the duration of the 2019-20 school year, thus extending e-learning curriculums.
"Throughout this unprecedented time, our first priority has been the health, safety and welfare of both our students and staff," the release stated.
The optional video chat offerings are intended for group settings, per the release. Circumstances related to one-on-one meetings between teachers and students will go through campus principals and require parental approval, per the release. For a complete review of RRISD Google Meet guidelines, click here.
