Round Rock ISD began distance learning on Monday April 6 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The district was forced to adapt due to the circumstances and make changes to the way grading would be done.

Originally, the fourth grading period would affect a student’s GPA, however, the district made the decision to only count the first semester when calculating GPA. The district has gone to a pass/fail system for the remainder of the school year. Principal Matt Groff said students will receive a P for the week if they attempt the lesson and give a good effort. 

“A student has to earn more P’s than F’s/M’s in order to receive a P for the sixth six weeks,” Groff said

A student can also receive an F or an M. An F will be given to a student if they do not do the work to the teachers satisfactory and a student will be given an M if they do not turn in any work. The principals will follow up with the student in some way if they get an M.

The district created basic slides to keep everyone on pace and to test for mastery and participation. The slides include the assignments the students will complete during that week and will be due on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. 

Students are able to complete the work on their own time with the asynchronous learning model. Some have decided to knock it all out in one or two days and others spread it out throughout the week. 

The district will also allow teachers to hold Google Meet calls to assist in the learning. This will allow for teachers to be able to provide encouragement, check on student well-being, and answer questions relating to the assignments. These meetings are intended to be held for groups of students. A one-on-one meeting will be vetted through the campus principal and require parent approval. 

“I think it’s really nice because it’s good to have as much person-to-person interaction as possible, especially concerning school,” freshman Ashlyn McDonough said.

Some students love the distance learning system. Junior Spencer Jones is able to knock all the work out on Monday and Tuesday and then spend the rest of the week doing whatever he wants. This allows for him to volunteer for Texas Humane Heroes which is considered essential. He would much rather finish the year this way than go back to school.

“It’s so great since I chose what I want to do and when I want to do it,” Jones said. “Being able to finish all my work in three days and chilling for the rest of the week is awesome.”

Other students are having a harder time with the new form of learning. Junior Jordan Wasiceck has been struggling with completing the work. Some of the work has been confusing to her and she has had to email teachers on numerous occasions asking for clarification.

“It’s honestly just really hard,” Wasiceck said.