Bastrop ISD to pilot virtual program for grades 6–8 in 2026–27

Jennifer Eberly, Bastrop ISD’s Chief Academic Officer, outlined a virtual-education pilot the district plans to launch for grades 6–8 in the 2026–27 school year under Texas Education Code Chapter 30B. She said the program would include asynchronous instruction, daily teacher support, required assessments and options for hybrid students to participate in extracurricular activities.

Eberly told trustees the district gathered input from internal stakeholders, community and business partners, and the homeschool community while reviewing practices from other districts to shape program goals: providing a rigorous, flexible option; recapturing students enrolled in other virtual programs; and serving homeschool students within district boundaries. She described an application, timeline and selection criteria that will consider academic readiness, attendance records and discipline history. The Board asked questions after the presentation; no final approval was requested at the meeting.