The Texas Education Agency is changing course with its guidance on public schools closed by local health orders, saying that those campuses will no longer receive full state funding for remote-only learning through the duration of those orders.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told superintendents about the change during a conference call yesterday afternoon.On July 15, TEA leaders said the state would fund school districts if local health officials ordered their campuses shuttered because of COVID-19 concerns, as long as virtual instruction was offered.
School leaders, not health officials, will decide when to start classes, Texas the Attorney General Ken Paxton said yesterday. In a guidance letter, Paxton says that local health authorities can't close schools for the sole purpose of preventing future COVID-19 infections.
Tarrant County health officials had issued orders delaying face to face learning until September 28. Judge Glen Whitley tells KRLD superintendents, educators and doctors all felt the delay was necessary.
Current guidance, unaffected by yesterday ’s decision, is that all schools are afforded a four-week period to offer virtual-only instruction, with another optional four-week period.
The TEA says this policy could change as more school leaders weigh in on school reopening plans.
Whitley says he's not sure how many districts will change course now and do their own thing.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted that it won't change much in their county because they have been working with districts to make the best decision for students. Fort Worth however is now reconsidering and could offer in person classes when schools reopen.