Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

To help answer questions parents may have about the Coronavirus, the Tennessee Department of Health launched a Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line. The hotline number is 877-857-2945 and will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

How do I know what my student should be working on while we are out of school?

DB EXCEL teachers use Canvas to house all coursework. The best way to keep up with what your child is being asked to complete is to register for a Parent Canvas Account.

What is the plan for continued access to coursework?

DB EXCEL students are able to access their curriculum in Canvas. Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, teachers will be available to help in a variety of ways. They will be communicating with you and your student through Canvas, email accounts, Zoom, and telephone (as needed). We know that many of these resources may be new to you, so we have included supports to help you navigate Canvas and Zoom.

In the Instructional Plans section, you will find a wealth of information. We have included teacher email addresses as well as Daily Office Hours. If you or your child want to meet with a teacher, please feel free to email that particular teacher and schedule a meeting during his or her office hours. Additionally, in this section you will find resources to support extension and remediation activities if you feel your child needs additional work.

If there are resources not listed that you know might be beneficial for all of our DBE families, please feel free to email or call our principal, Shanna Hensley at [email protected] or 423.378.2423.

How will students have academic progress communicated to them during the COVID-19 closure?

Academic progress will be communicated to students through teacher feedback and graded assignments in Canvas and PowerSchool. Grades for assignments or assessments may be coded exempt in Canvas and PowerSchool by the teacher if those grades would decrease the final course average to below what it was on March 20, 2020. The purpose and goal of the learning plan is to ensure that students have an opportunity to continue to grow academically. Thus, while a student’s grade cannot be lowered during the closure, it can be raised by the quality work students are doing while completing assignments and assessments remotely. (4/13)

How will the school closure impact high school seniors academically?

The key academic focus for all KCS students during the closure is the advancement of learning. The purpose and goal of the learning plan is to ensure that students have an opportunity to continue to grow academically. Thus, while a student’s grade cannot be lowered during the closure, it can be raised by the quality work students are doing while completing assignments and assessments remotely.

Students in the 12th grade during the 2019-20 school year will receive a grade for the Spring semester that is no lower than the grade they had earned on March 20, 2020. That grade may be improved through academic work that has taken place during the KCS closure.
Credit recovery opportunities will be provided through remote methods for students who did not receive a passing score on their first attempt in Spring 2020.
To qualify for graduation, seniors must have earned a minimum of twenty (20) credits, including:

Four (4) credits of mathematics as described in the State Board’s High School Policy 2.103;
Four (4) credits of English language arts as described in the State Board’s High School Policy 2.103;
Three (3) credits of science as described in the State Board’s High School Policy 2.103; and
Two (2) credits of social studies as described in the State Board’s High School Policy 2.103.

Students in the 12th grade in the 2019-20 school year shall not have End-of-Course exams scheduled to occur in the spring semester of the 2019-20 school year count as a percentage of their final grade in a course with an associated End-of-Course exam.
Any student scheduled to graduate this spring is not required to take and pass the civics test required by T.C.A. § 49-6-408 to meet the social studies course credit requirements to earn a regular high school diploma.
Students receiving the occupational diploma in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year may receive the occupational diploma if they can demonstrate work experience of at least one (1) year.
Students in the 12th grade during the 2019-20 school year who were enrolled in a Tennessee public school during their 11th grade year and who did not take the ACT or SAT will not be required to take the ACT or SAT to be eligible for graduation. (4/13)

Will grades be assigned to seniors?

Yes, seniors will receive grades. Students in the 12th grade during the 2019-20 school year will receive a grade for the Spring semester that is no lower than the grade they had earned on March 20, 2020. That grade may be improved through academic work that has taken place during the COVID-19 closure. The purpose and goal of the learning plan is to ensure that students have an opportunity to continue to grow academically. Thus, while a student’s grade cannot be lowered during the closure, it can be raised by the quality work students are doing while completing assignments and assessments remotely. (4/13)

Will seniors have a graduation ceremony this year?

Graduation is an incredibly important event for students, families, and staff. Currently, there is not enough information known about when or how we will be able to return to normal operations or hold large gatherings. As soon as this information is known, final details about a graduation event will be communicated. Until that time, D-B and district staff are considering a variety of potential options for celebrating the success of our seniors through such an event. (4/13)

Will grades be assigned to freshman, sophomores, and juniors in credit-bearing courses?

Yes, grades will be assigned, based on what had been earned on March 20, 2020. The grade may be improved due to academic work that has taken place during the COVID-19 closure. The purpose and goal of the learning plan is to ensure that students have an opportunity to continue to grow academically. Thus, while a student’s grade cannot be lowered during the closure, it can be raised by the quality work students are doing while completing assignments and assessments remotely. (4/13)

How will students be impacted regarding Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, and AP grades for higher ed purposes?

Guidance has been provided by the TDOE regarding each of these groups (See full FAQ at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/health-&-safety/FAQ%20for%20High%20School%20Programs_CCTE.pdf). Students taking AP courses are encouraged to take advantage of the daily live recorded AP classes on YouTube to help them prepare for the exam. As a reminder, the AP test is optional for high school credit for students; students will need to take that exam for post-secondary credit. (4/14)

Will final exams be given for high school credit-bearing courses?

No, final exams will not be required. (4/14)

How will students enrolled in Grade Results or Odysseyware continue their academic progress during the COVID-19 closure?

Academic progress will be communicated to students through teacher feedback on work being completed in Grade Results and Odysseyware. Due to the nature of online rolling enrollment, there is not a defined 9 week grading period; therefore, students must complete these courses in Grade Results and Odysseyware to obtain course credit. (4/14)

When and how will final report cards be distributed?

Currently, report cards are still planned to be distributed on May 21, 2020 utilizing the regular delivery methods that have taken place throughout the school year. If health and safety regulations prohibit in-person delivery of report cards for those that do not usually receive them electronically, report cards will be mailed to the home. (4/13)

Will standardized assessments still take place this Spring?

No. Tennessee comprehensive assessment program (TCAP) assessments, which include, but are not limited to, TNReady assessments, English learner assessments, alternate TCAP assessments, and end-of-course examinations, will not take place this Spring. Also as a result, student grades for the Spring semester will be calculated without scores that would have been generated from those assessments. (4/13)

Are students going to be able to get stuff from our school?

Schools will work with families to determine when students can pick up essential items that are needed to complete the online work. If something is needed, please email or call our Principal, Shanna Hensley- [email protected] 423.378.2423.