Yes. All students need to have their information verified by their parents.

Yes. We need all parents to complete this process for each of their students to ensure all information in Skyward is correct. In addition to the Back to School Readiness Form, the verification process also includes other required forms.

While it may seem that some of these are not applicable, the District is trying to gather as much information at once to minimize confusion for parents. These are standard forms for the start of school and several new forms based starting school during a pandemic.

No, we are not asking parents to choose between online instruction and face-to-face at this time. Parents will be asked to indicate their preference prior to the transition to face-to-face instruction.

Currently, we are concentrating on making sure that our students who need a device receive a loaner device for the start of schools. As you may know, in Fort Bend ISD’s Blended Learning model, technology devices are integrated as a tool in the classroom for use when the instruction calls for it as a resource. We will continue to plan and prepare for the time when students are able to return to face-to-face classroom.  In the face-to-face environment, our teachers will plan for and provide devices for student access and students will not be required to bring a device to campus; however, they will be allowed to bring their own device if they desire to do so, but campuses will provide devices for any and all integration of blended learning in the face-to-face environment. We will have more details to plan once all schools start and all of our students are online and accounted for.  Currently, we simply do not have enough data to plan.

Every student will need to have an Online Verification completed for him/her.

All students will need a device in order to participate in online instruction. As Dr. Dupre indicated, our model is “1: need.” The District will provide our student with a device if s(he) needs one to attend online classes this fall.

Ultimately, this will depend on how many students request a device, but it is our goal to be able to provide each student in need with a device. However, due to the very limited number of hotspots, we do not know if we will be able to provide a hot spot to each family. We are encouraging families to consider low cost Internet options that are as low as $10 a month. There are programs such as AT&T Access and Comcast Internet Essentials among others that are available. 

• The Back to School Readiness Form which is part of the student enrollment verification process will be used to determine student need and assign devices
• FBISD will transition device distribution to a campus-based model offering student pickup at their assigned campus

As good stewards of our taxpayers' money, we have to make sure that our families take good care of the devices so that they will return to the classrooms once the environment allows our students to return. Outside of the Bond, we have no other source of funding to replace missing, stolen, or broken devices. Fortunately, most of our 7,000 families who borrowed a laptop this Spring took very good care of the devices. There is a schedule of costs associated with broken, lost, or stolen device on the Lending Library Form.  By stating the costs of repair and replacement, our families will have a vested interest in protecting the loaner laptops.

The parent only needs to request one hotspot for the family.  All devices can work off the same hotspot.

No, you can keep the laptop.  We already have the laptop recorded in Skyward under your child’s information.  You do not need to request another one. 

Because of the required synchronous learning, we recognize there is now an increased need for devices in a household. When filling out the online enrollment verification, please indicate the need for each child. 

The laptops that we are lending to our families are only about 1-1.5 years old. We are also receiving new devices this summer that have not yet been deployed to campuses. 

When conditions allow our students to return to face-to-face instruction, students may bring their personal device with them. The campus will work with our students on best practices to protect themselves and their property. While the District cannot guarantee the student’s device will not get damaged, we will take every effort to limit exposure to situations that would increase the risk of damage. Security cameras are in our schools should there be a need to review footage of a discipline issue, and we have processes in place to deter this kind of behavior.

Recommended device specifications can be found on the BYOD Guide at www.fortbendisd.com/byodguide.

Several factors were taken into consideration while drafting the recommendations.  This includes functionality, ease of use, portability, display size, keyboard accessory and compliance with online testing software.

These devices were considered, however they do not meet the requirements of the online testing software. Chromebooks and Android Tablets can be used for other class assignments.

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

The Software Vendor has very specific requirements in order to run their online testing software.  The requirements are noted as follows and if it is not listed it is not supported.

Operating Systems
Windows: 10, 8, 7
Mac: macOS 10.12 to 10.15
iOS: 11.0 or newer

* Windows 10s is not a compatible operating system.  A Microsoft Surface may come equipped with Windows 10s but it can be switched to standard windows 10 directly on the device.

Memory
Windows: 2 GB RAM
Mac: 2 GB RAM

Hard Disk Space
Windows: 200 MB of free hard disk space
Mac: 200 MB of free hard disk space

Device grade level recommendations were specified based on how well a student can handle those devices from a physical perspective but as well as for curriculum requirements on the software side.   iPads are typically assigned to younger students because of the Apps associated with the device.  Likewise older students, primarily secondary, have similar needs that tie their applications back to their device type. 

iPads, MacBooks and iMac’s can be used based on the requirements.

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

Apple maintains tight application development controls with the apps written for their devices.  As the Operating System ages the developers are required to update their software.  In those situations certain apps may fail yet others may work.  In addition there will be compatibility issues with the District Testing Software as noted in the requirements.

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

Yes, you can use it for the majority of the class assignments; however it will not be compatible with the testing software when testing is required.

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

Yes as long as it meets the requirements noted.

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

At home you, you may certainly use a PC Desktop. However, because it is not a portable device, it would be a home use-only device. Again, it has to meet the requirements noted to be used for online testing.

Yes as long as it meets the requirements noted for testing.  Please note that a Windows Surface may be configured with Windows 10s which is not supported with online testing software.  Windows 10s can be switched directly on the device by the device owner.  

For the majority of the class assignments Android Tablets can be considered.  But they will not work for online testing. 

See answer to "What are the requirements for the online testing software?"

The screens are typically too small and are not recommended for extensive class work.