ALLEN, Texas – As the spring school semester gets underway and COVID-19 worsens in Texas, at least one school district is requiring those students who are falling behind to return to in-person learning.

Allen ISD sent a message to parents informing them that students who have been learning virtually and are in danger of not graduating on time or moving on to the next grade will be required to return to in-person classes.

There will be an appeal process made available to parents who object on the basis of medical or other reasons, however.

The letter states, in part:

“During the fall semester, it has become evident that some At-Home Learners are not demonstrating academic success due to increasing absences and/or decreasing grades. Allen ISD's Graduate Profile embodies the characteristics we strive to build within our students, which becomes more difficult when our At-Home Learners are not engaged in the learning process. Due to this lack of engagement, those At-Home Learners are in danger of failing courses or grade levels which puts them at risk of not being promoted to the next grade or not graduating on time.  For this reason, AISD has determined that we will discontinue the At-Home Learning option and require In-Person Learning for students who meet at least one of the criteria listed below. The placement in In-Person Learning will be effective January 5, 2021 and will continue until the end of spring 2021.”

The criteria for a return to in-person attendance is laid out below:

Elementary Students:

  • Kindergarten-1st Grade
  • Not currently demonstrating grade level expectations;
  • 2nd-6th Grade
  • Average of 60 or below in one or more subject areas, (excluding Art, Music, and PE);  OR
  • Kindergarten-6th Grade
  • Nine (9) or more unexcused absences (TEC 25.902);

Secondary Students:

  • Average of 60 or below for one or more classes; OR
  • Average of 65 or below for two or more classes; OR
  • Denied credit or at risk of having credit denied due to not meeting minimum 90% seat time for attendance (TEC 25.902)

Allen ISD most recently reported 40 active cases of COVID-19 among students and 24 among staff. That data is from late 2020, however, and updated numbers were anticipated on January 5.