Amid uncertainty about next school year, Fort Bend ISD to offer full-time at-home learning

Although the district has not announced how the 2020-21 school year will look, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said in a video message May 27 that in the fall, FBISD will continue to offer full-time home learning for families fearful of returning to the classroom because of the coronavirus.

“I am also aware that when summer is over and it is time for school to resume, some families will still be cautious and even fearful about the virus," Dupre said. "I want to assure you that we are working on plans to provide a full-time, at-home learning option that will allow students to remain enrolled in FBISD, allowing us to continue to meet your student’s needs with all the benefits and support available in a strong, large, award-winning public school system.”

Dupre said the district is committed to learning from its experiences with at-home learning this spring and will improve its online learning practices.

Dupre’s announcement came as part of a broader message to the Fort Bend ISD community thanking families and students for their commitment to education over the past nine weeks and sharing brief updates before the end of the school year next week.

“After the many updates shared during the past few months, today, it is my hope that you have a safe and restful summer—that without the day-to-day routines of schoolwork, you are able to recharge and prepare for the year ahead because we know school will continue to look different than it has in the past,” Dupre said.

Dupre said the district is conducting focus groups to receive feedback and is evaluating different options for the school calendar, school activities and what a school day might look like in the fall.

At a previous Fort Bend ISD board of trustees meeting, Dupre said the district is planning for three possible scenarios for the 2020-21 school year:

1. All students return to school in the fall with health and safety precautions in place;
2. Schools remain closed, and online learning continues; or
3. A hybrid of in-person and online classes is used.