WISD Frequently Asked Questions
Academics (Testing, Instruction, Academic Calendar)
If a student is a senior but still must complete one or more EOCs to graduate, will he/she be able to graduate?
Most students have already completed courses that have corresponding EOC assessments before their
senior year. Normally, a student who has not passed up to two of his or her required STAAR EOC
assessments may graduate through the individual graduation committee (IGC) process. For students
who are still working to meet assessment graduation requirements as seniors in the 2019–2020 school
year, required performance on academic assessments to graduate under TEC, §28.025(c) and §39.025(a)
is being waived for spring 2020. Effectively, this means that current seniors may graduate through the
IGC process regardless of the number of EOC assessments they still need to pass.
senior year. Normally, a student who has not passed up to two of his or her required STAAR EOC
assessments may graduate through the individual graduation committee (IGC) process. For students
who are still working to meet assessment graduation requirements as seniors in the 2019–2020 school
year, required performance on academic assessments to graduate under TEC, §28.025(c) and §39.025(a)
is being waived for spring 2020. Effectively, this means that current seniors may graduate through the
IGC process regardless of the number of EOC assessments they still need to pass.
If a student is not graduating this year and still has one or more EOCs required to graduate, how will that affect the student’s credit in the upcoming year?
The required performance on academic assessments under TEC, §28.025(c) and §39.025(a) is being
waived for spring 2020 only. This means:
• If the student is not graduating and is currently enrolled in an EOC course, the EOC passing
requirement will be waived if the student receives credit for that course.
• If the student is not graduating and has an outstanding EOC assessment that they have not
passed from a previous year, they will still need to retake and pass that EOC assessment prior to
graduation.
waived for spring 2020 only. This means:
• If the student is not graduating and is currently enrolled in an EOC course, the EOC passing
requirement will be waived if the student receives credit for that course.
• If the student is not graduating and has an outstanding EOC assessment that they have not
passed from a previous year, they will still need to retake and pass that EOC assessment prior to
graduation.
What assessments have been cancelled for this school year?
Academic assessment requirements are suspended for the remainder of the 2019–2020 school year. This includes all STAAR assessments including tests for grades 3-8, End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments, and STAAR Alternate 2 tests.
Will schools and districts be held to federal testing and accountability requirements?
TEA is working with the United States Department of Education to request waivers from federal testing and accountability requirements for the 2019–2020 school year.
Will the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate administration window be extended?
The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and TELPAS Alternate administration windows are currently open and are being extended to remain open through May 29, 2020, for a district to complete optionally if it chooses. Scoring data will be provided for each TELPAS domain a student completes. TEA is looking at exit criteria for English learners to determine what adjustments may be made this year for this determination. These discussions are ongoing, and more information will be provided the week of 3/23.
How will the timelines for Interim Assessments be adjusted?
The second testing window for the STAAR Interim Assessments is currently open and will continue to be open through May 29, 2020 for districts to use as a resource to monitor student progress. As a
reminder, the interim assessments are optional, are available at no cost to districts and charter schools,
they are not tied to accountability, and results are not reported to TEA.
reminder, the interim assessments are optional, are available at no cost to districts and charter schools,
they are not tied to accountability, and results are not reported to TEA.
Will the closure affect grade promotion or a student graduating?
Based on the current information that we have, we do not believe that graduation or grade promotion will be impacted. The Texas Education Agency has made attendance concessions that will ensure absences related to COVID 19 will not impact course/class attendance credit requirements. This is all pending the progression of COVID-19 and any need for continued closure.
Food Distribution / Meals
Will meals be provided to students during the extended closure?
Westwood ISD will be working to provide our families in need of assistance meals during the closure. Beginning Monday, March 23rd, lunch and the next day's breakfast will be provided from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm daily through a "grab and go" outside of the high school. This is free for any person 18 or under, but they must be present in the vehicle.
Facility Operations
How long are Westwood ISD operations suspended for?
At this time, Westwood ISD is working with state, local and federal health officials regarding the best course of action for the coming weeks. As we receive additional information and guidance, we will update our Westwood families and community.
Westwood ISD normal operations are suspended indefinitely. An update on the suspension will be made by Friday, April 17th at the latest.
Click to submit a question or concern regarding COVID-19 here.