Texas Public Radio
Texas schools have spent millions this year to make sure students are safe, fed and learning during the pandemic.
Public schools across Texas are in limbo as they wait for word on how much funding they’ll receive from the state this semester.
During the fall semester, the Texas Education Agency enacted a policy called Hold Harmless to keep districts from being penalized for low attendance rates during the pandemic. But the state agency hasn’t decided if it will continue Hold Harmless this spring.
Without a waiver to continue funding schools based on their pre-COVID attendance rates, districts stand to lose millions of dollars.
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Public schools across Texas are in limbo as they wait for word on how much funding they’ll receive from the state this semester.
During the fall semester, the Texas Education Agency enacted a policy called Hold Harmless to keep districts from being penalized for low attendance rates during the pandemic. But the state agency hasn’t decided if it will continue Hold Harmless this spring.
Without a waiver to continue funding schools based on their pre-COVID attendance rates, districts stand to lose millions of dollars.
Enrollment in Texas public schools dropped by more than 150,000 students between October 2019 and October 2020, according to TEA. Many districts have also seen attendance dip during distance learning.
Area school districts say substitute teachers are needed now more than ever during the COVID era
School districts prepared to continue instruction no matter the situation
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SAN ANTONIO – If there was ever a need for substitute teachers before the pandemic, it’s now.
Aubrey Chancellor, executive director for North East Independent School District, calls the challenge amid the coronavirus pandemic a perfect storm, a situation district officials have been preparing for since last spring.
While some teachers have to call in sick or remain in isolation, substitute teacher requirements have been expanded to fulfill classroom instruction.
Chancellor said they are now allowing substitute teachers to come in with 60 college credits instead of having a degree.
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Texas schools have spent millions this year to make sure students are safe, fed and learning during the pandemic.
Public schools across Texas are in limbo as they wait for word on how much funding they’ll receive from the state this semester.
During the fall semester, the Texas Education Agency enacted a policy called Hold Harmless to keep districts from being penalized for low attendance rates during the pandemic. But the state agency hasn’t decided if it will continue Hold Harmless this spring.
Without a waiver to continue funding schools based on their pre-COVID attendance rates, districts stand to lose millions of dollars.