Tyler ISD In-School learners rises to 80 percent

TYLER – With the second six-week grading period now underway, more Tyler ISD students are back in the classroom. TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford spoke with KTBB Tuesday about getting back to school during the pandemic. District-wide enrollment numbers show 80 percent of students are in face-to-face instruction with 20 percent opting to Learn@Home. That is an increase of 2,651 students back on campuses since the beginning of the school year. Administrators view the increase over the first grading period as a step in the right direction for getting all Tyler ISD students back onto campuses.

An entire grading period has passed and Crawford says it has been a challenge to the teachers. He says with the instructors having to operate two instructional platforms, trying to teach kids both in school and at home, it’s been a very valiant effort. Dr. Crawford says he’s proud of the teachers and appreciates the grace they’ve shown toward the students. He also said he appreciates the grace the parents have shown the teachers. As far as challenges are concerned, Crawford says anytime you implement a brand new system without an initialization period, it’s tough. He added , it’s not just a TISD issue, it’s an everywhere issue. Dr. Crawford said as far as the at home learner, the district is very concerned about getting those kids back in the classroom. He said there’s nothing better than a classroom teacher and he encourages all parents to send the kids back, although he said he does understand there are some with underlying health issues. Dr. Crawford said the data shows that the district is managing the illness extremely effectively.