On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, TEA issued the highly anticipated guidance on graduation ceremonies for 2020 graduates. It did so by publishing a new “Guidance for Graduation and End of the Year Promotion Ceremonies During the COVID-19.”
TEA also issued updates for the previously issued “Guidance for 2020 Seniors”
The guidance prohibits indoor, in-person ceremonies, and requires most districts conducting in-person, outdoor ceremonies to wait until June 1. Districts in rural counties meeting attestation requirements may conduct in-person, outdoor ceremonies beginning May 15.
The DSHS is keeping an updated list of rural counties with COVID-19 attestations at:
The county judge must complete the attestation form (link below). If the county qualifies based on the criteria set out by the DSHS, the county will be placed on the list above.
The attestation form (PDF) is to be completed by the county judge and emailed to [email protected]. Please use the term “Attestation” in the subject line of the email for proper routing.
Here are the takeaways:
“Guidance for Graduation and End of the Year Promotion Ceremonies During the COVID-19”
1. Completely virtual ceremonies are approved to take place at any time.
2. Hybrid ceremonies (compilation video of students filmed individually or in small groups) are permitted to take place effective May 15 under the following conditions:
a. School employees, students and parents must comply with the guidance on Minimum Standard Health Protocols on Visits to Schools During Campus Closures.
b. Schools using non-school facilities to perform graduation, or end-of-year promotion ceremonies must ensure compliance as if the non-school facility were a school.
c. Prior to participating individuals must be screened (via questioning) by school system employees for any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID19. Those found with any of these signs or symptoms must be excluded from the activity.
d. The total number of individuals within close proximity during video filming/photos must not exceed five.
e. No rehearsals will be permitted.
f. Hand sanitizer or hand washing stations must be available at entrances to the building where filming occurs.
g. Consider having all employees, students, or other visitors wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) while inside any facilities, or if they will come within 6 feet of another person who is not a member of that person’s household, except when photos are taken. If available, they should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks.
h. Diplomas or other documents may not be handed from person to person unless gloves and mask are worn at all times.
i. Care should be taken and effort must be made to mitigate virus exposure when participants come into contact with documents and other objects such as diplomas and awards.
j. Bathrooms, door knobs, and other commonly touched surfaces must be frequently cleaned and sanitized.
k. A robust communication plan must be in place to address steps to be taken before, during, and after the ceremony to ensure that participants are aware of safety protocols at the ceremony and explicit instructions to graduates not to congregate outside of school sponsored ceremonies or events.
l. If students’ family members are to be allowed to observe or participate in a hybrid ceremony, school officials should communicate with students’ families prior to the ceremony to determine how many family members will be attending so they can plan appropriately to implement social distancing measures, logistics, and other safety measures.
3. Vehicle ceremonies where all activities are outdoors are permitted to take place effective May 15 under the same conditions listed in paragraphs b,g,h,k,l, above for hybrid ceremonies – and – the additional conditions below:
• Students and parents (or legal guardians) must comply with the guidance on Student NonInstructional Visits except as authorized by this guidance.
• Prior to attending the ceremony, participating students and attending family members must be screened (via questioning) by school system employees. Those found with any of these signs or symptoms must be excluded from the activity.
• Members of the same household (five individuals or fewer, excluding the graduate) may be present in a vehicle with the graduate.
• School officials should communicate with students’ families prior to the ceremony to determine how many family members will be attending so they can plan appropriately to implement social distancing measures, logistics, and other safety measures.
• Graduates or promoting students may only be brought together for one event per class or breakout group. No rehearsals will be permitted.
• School employees at the ceremony must be limited to the minimum number needed to logistically support the ceremony.
4. Outdoor in-person ceremonies are currently permitted for counties as follows:
Between May 15 and May 31, 2020, an outdoor ceremony may take place in a rural county that has an attestation as described in the “Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas.” The link for the attestation for rural counties is below:
To determine how many cases of COVID-19 have been reported in your county, see Department of State Health Services COVID-19 dashboard:
An outdoor ceremony may take place in any county on or after June 1.
Outdoor ceremonies must meet the same conditions listed in paragraph b for hybrid ceremonies above – and the additional requirements below:
• School systems must cap the number of total participants (inclusive of students, families, and staff) to a level that can be managed in the outdoor venue to maximize social distancing, both during the event and during entry and exit.
• Students and parents (or legal guardians) must comply with the guidance on Student NonInstructional Visits.
• Prior to attending the ceremony, participating students and attending family members must be screened (via questioning) by school system employees for any signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19.
• Graduates or promoting students may only be brought together for one event per class or breakout group. No rehearsals will be permitted.
• Keep 6 feet or more of spacing between all participants, except that members of the same household (five individuals or fewer, excluding the graduate if seated with the household) may be allowed to sit together in the audience but must be at least 6 feet away from any other family group at all times.
• School employees must be stationed appropriately to ensure compliance with all requirements and to limit congregation.
• School officials should communicate with students’ families prior to the ceremony to determine how many family members will be attending so they can plan appropriately to implement social distancing measures, logistics, and other safety measures.
• Assigned seating for members of the audience should be considered to more efficiently ensure separation between household groups.
• Specific plans should be developed for arrivals and departures to ensure appropriate social distancing.
5. In-Person Indoor Ceremonies.
Article written by Michelle Alcala.
