Frequently Asked Questions
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AP Update and Resources | April 30, 2020
During the COVID-19 closure, College Board is continuing to post updates concerning AP testing. Here are the latest updates:
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College Admissions Leaders Support AP Students | April 27, 2020
Colleges have already committed to awarding credit and placement for this year’s AP Exams. Admissions officers from across the country offer words of encouragement to AP students in this video.
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AP Offering Free, Live AP Review Lessons, Delivered by AP Teachers | April 27, 2020
AP students can now attend free, live AP classes and review, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These AP classes and reviews are optional and designed to enable AP students to complete the few remaining topics of each AP course and then, throughout April, focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course.
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How can I get my child’s stuff from inside the school?
Now that the governor has closed schools for the rest of the school year, BISD is developing plans that allow teachers to safely enter their classrooms to gather their personal items, as well as items left in the classrooms, fine arts and athletics areas by students. Student items will be placed in bags with the student’s name on the bag. Once this is done, the individual campuses will communicate the plan for curbside pickup to parents and students. (Parents/students will NOT be allowed in the building.)
We ask for your patience as campuses complete this task while taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of their teachers and staff. If you have specific questions concerning your campus, please email your child’s principal or teacher.
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SAT/PSAT Test Administration Updates from College Board | April 24, 2020
As College Board responds to the impact of coronavirus, our top priorities are the health and safety of students and educators. We’re working hard to make the SAT available in school and out of school as soon as possible.
June SAT and SAT Subject Test Administration
To keep students safe, and in alignment with public health guidance and school closures across 192 countries, we will not be able to administer the SAT or SAT Subject Tests on June 6, 2020.
Future SAT Administrations, Including September
If it’s safe from a public health standpoint, we’ll provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration in September and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
Students can register for these administrations starting in May. We’ll contact students directly when we have the exact date. Eligible students can register with a fee waiver.
For each administration, we’re preparing to significantly expand our capacity for students to take the SAT once schools reopen. We’re calling on our member schools and colleges, as well as local communities, to provide additional test center capacity so every student who wants to take the SAT can do so.
Students can get early access to register for August, September, and October if they’re:
- Already registered for June
- In the high school class of 2021 and don’t have SAT scores
March and May SAT Administrations
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, College Board canceled the May 2, 2020, SAT and SAT Subject Test administration. Makeup exams for the March 14 administration (scheduled for March 28) were also canceled.
Students who already registered for May, whose March test centers were closed, or who do not receive March scores because of any irregularities will receive refunds.
SAT School Day Administrations
In alignment with coronavirus guidance from public health organizations, school closures across the country, and discussions with local education leaders, College Board can’t reschedule the March 25 SAT School Day administration or provide administrations on April 14 and 28.
Almost all of our state partners and many of our district partners have expressed interest in administering the SAT during the school day in the fall. Some states, like Michigan, have already announced fall testing.
This is an important opportunity, as states and large districts who participate can provide the SAT for free to all their students. Specific information about state and district testing will be shared in the coming weeks. If students were scheduled to take the SAT as part of state-required testing, they can check with their school or district for updates.
PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9
College Board can’t provide the April PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 administrations. Unfortunately, there won’t be opportunities for PSAT 10 or PSAT 8/9 testing this spring.
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Why is Gradebook turned off in Skyward?
Since students are currently receiving a Pass or Fail and not individual assignment grades, Gradebook in Skyward has been turned off. Parents can only see the progress report or report card under the “Performance” section in Skyward. For the remainder of the school year, progress reports and report cards will only show Pass (P) or Fail (F).
If parents have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher directly.
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So will BISD schools return on April 3? Or, will they not return at all for the rest of the school year?
Currently, the decision to return is being driven by national, state and local officials. Until this disease lets up and the government allows people to return to whatever our new normal is, we can’t make definite plans. The District will post updates on their various communications channels as they are available.
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Are schools closed?
Because of the spread of the COVID-19 across the nation, schools have been asked to close their doors and have students and staff stay home to help minimize the spread of the disease. Though the doors are closed, BISD teachers are busy developing online learning opportunities in preparation to resume school online beginning Monday, March 30. Teachers are also busy contacting students and learning how to offer instruction in new ways.
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What is the impact on the school year?
We are currently working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on how this impacts the school year. When we have this information we will post updates on our website and social media communications channels.
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Is this going to affect the end of school?
We are currently working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on how this impacts the school year. When we have this information we will post updates on our website and social media communications channels.
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Will students be required to make these days up?
The District, along with all school districts across the state, is working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on how to handle these days. Based on communications from TEA, if districts continue to provide instruction to students remotely, the days will not have to be made up.
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What is the plan for graduation?
There is a lot of anxiety facing all of us in this time of uncertainty. I can assure you graduation is one of many conversations we continue to have. Until this disease lets up and the government allows people to return to whatever our new normal is, we can’t make definite plans. Please know that Dr. Brown and the administration continue to work to do what is right for our students. As soon as I have information available, I will share it across all of our communications channels.
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Will seniors graduate on time?
We are currently waiting for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to make a decision on how this impacts graduating seniors. When we have this information we will post updates on our website and social media communications channels.
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How do I contact my child’s school during this time?
On every school website, there is contact information for the campus principal, assistant principal, counselor, and teachers. All staff are working remotely. However, they are responding to emails.
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Will BISD kids be able to finish out their grade level and promote up through online courses or will you be having them go through the summer?
Our intent is to have students prepared to promote to the next grade level. However, we are in very unique times. For our instructional plan to work, a partnership between the home and the school must be forged. Students will need to follow a designated schedule to complete the learning activities that teachers will be presenting. Students will need to connect to their teachers through the online learning platform. We are confident that if students and parents do their part, teachers will provide the instruction and feedback necessary for each student to continue showing academic progress. Based on the lessons that students submit, teachers will make appropriate decisions about promotion. At the secondary level, students who were failing the first semester will absolutely need to successfully complete work that teachers will provide at this time in order for them to have a passing average. Teachers, counselors, and principals are available for parents to contact about student progress and things that can be done to promote students' success while receiving online instruction. Again, for students to continue to progress, it is imperative that students follow a designated schedule for learning, completing and submitting their assignments, and for reading daily.