AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) – "By taking these necessary precautions, developed by medical experts, we can ensure we're appropriately honoring our graduating Class of 2020 while keeping everyone safe," said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath during a press conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, as Texas Education Officials announced graduation guidance procedures Tuesday for the Class of 2020.
"Graduation ceremonies mark a major milestone for students and their families," said Morath said.
"All educators are committed first and foremost to ensuring the health and safety of our students, families, and staff."
"All educators are committed first and foremost to ensuring the health and safety of our students, families, and staff."There are four different pathways the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing for schools to celebrate their 2020 Graduating Seniors:
- A Completely Virtual Ceremony that takes place entirely online, with the use of videoconferencing or other technologies,
- A Hybrid Ceremony, which consists of a compilation of videos of students being recognized in person as they celebrate graduation in small groups,
- A Vehicle Ceremony, in which students and families wait in their cars while other graduates are recognized one at a time with their families alongside them,
- Outdoor, In-Person Ceremonies, under the following restrictions:
- A rural county that has attested to having 5 or fewer active cases of COVID-19 per Gov. Greg Abbott's April 27th Statewide Order can hold an outdoor, in-person ceremony between May 15th and May 31st.
- On or after June 1st, an outdoor ceremony can take place in any Texas county.
