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The Texas Reading Initiative (TRI) Grant invites literacy educators to the Teach, Reach, Inspire: Elevating Literacy Instruction Summer Conference, taking place on July 30, 2025. Our goal is to empower educators with tools and strategies to teach effectively, reach diverse learners, and inspire a lifelong love of literacy.
Join us for an exciting day full of innovative strategies, research-based practices, and engaging instructional approaches to enhance literacy instruction for all learners.
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- Check out the asynchronous courses and upcoming synchronous sessions offered free for Elevate20 Cooperative members.
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Curriculum Adoption Workshop- FREE! Designed for districts planning to adopt instructional materials after the 2025-2026 school year, as well as those interested in evaluating the alignment of their current adoption.
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Summer Math Achievement Academies will be offered for grades K–1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. To receive credit and the one-time $350 stipend, participants must attend all three full days of training.
- Starting the school year can be quite hectic with various tasks demanding your attention simultaneously. This session aims to carve out dedicated time amidst your busy schedule to address all your administrative Eduphoria-related tasks and questions ahead of the new academic year. Both representatives from ESC-20 and Eduphoria will facilitate this session and offer assistance as needed.
- Perks of attending:
- Discover new add-on features such as Aware Premium and TEKS ready, which are available for purchase
- Receive support with submitting your 2025-2026 Eduphoria commitment
- Take time to organize your SY data, assessments, and address any questions.
- Request and schedule technical assistance for the 24-25 SY
- FREE LUNCH AND SWAG WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL ATTENDEES!
- Register Here
- Eduphoria 2-Day Summer Academy
- This two-day academy is a good match for administrators deeply engaged in the evaluation process, assessment program, or data-rich practices that inform measurements for school or district success. TIA committee members are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions or need to request a specific accommodations, please email Abigail Sanchez at abigail.sanchez@esc20.net.
- Summer DMAC User Academy
- This one day training offers an in-depth look at the software. We will highlight new features and provide tips for using the web-based applications efficiently at your school.
- 📚ESC-20 invites librarians, library staff, and advocates to present at the Learning in Libraries Conference on November 13. Show how your library connects, innovates, and leads. SUBMIT PROPOSAL HERE
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- May's TEA ELA newsletter highlights several important updates. This month’s newsletter highlights several important updates and opportunities for educators. In June, stakeholders are invited to attend Social Studies and Reading Language Arts Engagement Sessions on June 11 and 12, where guest speakers will discuss best practices for integrating instruction across these content areas. In July, additional sessions will focus on K–5 cross-curricular connections between Social Studies and English Language Arts and Reading, scheduled for July 15, 16, and 17. The May sessions for English as a Second Language provided an overview of the new English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) on May 14 and 20. The newsletter also celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, honors the Class of 2025, and shares how the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can support students’ course needs.
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DUE Texas Reading Academies Enrollment Projection. TEA requires all K–3 teachers to complete the HB 3 Reading Academies. Districts must submit their 2025–2026 projections for any K–3 teachers who have not yet completed the Reading Academies. All identified teachers must be enrolled in the June 2025 cohort. Questions? Email Lisa.Hawkins@esc20.net.
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- The TEA Mathematics Newsletter includes important updates and opportunities for educators and districts. The Middle School Advanced Mathematics TEKS crosswalks are now available to support curriculum planning and alignment. Districts are reminded that the application window for the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory is closing soon—don’t miss this opportunity to bring hands-on STEM learning to your students. Information is also provided about the K–5 Mathematics Achievement Academies, which offer valuable professional development to strengthen instruction. Lastly, the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) continues to support students’ access to a variety of mathematics courses statewide.
- Crosswalks for Proposed Middle School Advanced Mathematics TEKS:
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TEA’s Middle School Advanced Math FAQ (questions received are added on an ongoing basis)
- TEA’s General Mathematics FAQ
- TEA has released the updated Bluebonnet Learning Instructional Materials
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- The TEA Science Newsletter includes several key updates for science educators. The TEKS Guide has been updated with detailed breakouts to support instruction and planning. Educators are encouraged to take advantage of upcoming Summer Science Webinars, offering professional learning opportunities throughout the season. A reminder is also provided that the application window for the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory is closing soon. Additionally, the newsletter highlights expanded course offerings available through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN), helping districts meet diverse student needs in science education.
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ConocoPhillips and NEED are hosting free energy science workshops in Midland (May 30), Poth (July 24), and Kenedy (July 31), 2025. Participants receive meals, a stipend or substitute pay, a $300 experiment kit, TEKS-aligned resources, and CEU credits. Register at www.need.org. Please share with interested K–12 teachers!
- July 24, 2025 Flyer
- July 31, 2025 Flyer
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- Summer Science Webinars: Designed to support educator understanding of science TEKS.
- TEA now has an Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC). The Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC) serves educators and informal science providers throughout the state. TEEAC maintains a network of providers of environmental education professional development, including universities, local and state agencies, museums, and nature centers. Educators may earn an environmental education Certificate of Recognition by completing 45 hours of professional development from TEEAC providers and submitting a Coursework Verification Form.
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- This issue of the TEA Social Studies Newsletter features several important updates and events. In June, stakeholder engagement sessions will focus on best practices for social studies instruction, with a guest speakers panel scheduled for June 11 and 12. In July, sessions will explore K–5 cross-curricular connections between social studies and reading language arts, taking place on July 15, 16, and 17. The newsletter also includes a timely topic highlighting current social studies curriculum requirements, along with an instructional materials update on Personal Financial Literacy and Economics. Additionally, it spotlights how the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can support districts in meeting students’ social studies course needs. The edition concludes by recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary and celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial.
- Apply for assessment educator committees - 2-3 days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. This committee will review, edit, and approve potential questions for state assessments.
- The TEA released the 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive overview of the progress made in Texas public education while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that remain.
- Social Studies Assessed Curriculum Documents Update
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Something to Think About... |
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High-School Students Who Are Uncertain About Attending College
In this JESPAR article, Cynthia Murphy (Goodwin University) and Siffat Sharmin and Hsien-Yuan Hsu (University of Massachusetts/Lowell) report on their study of the post-secondary trajectories of a diverse cadre of 13,635 tenth graders whose self-reported attitudes about attending college fell into three categories:
- High aspirations
- Low aspirations
- Don’t know (noncommittal)
High-school students’ level of aspiration about attending college is of particular interest because it’s one of the best predictors of whether they go on to attend and graduate from college – which in turn opens doors of opportunity, especially for less economically advantaged students. Students with high college aspirations are much more likely to attend and graduate from college than those with low aspirations – but previous research has not revealed much about students who are noncommittal.
Murphy, Sharmin, and Hsu addressed this gap by checking in with all students in their sample over a ten-year period and documenting how many attended and graduated from college. Their major finding: students who were noncommittal about attending college as tenth graders were just as unlikely to attend and graduate from college as students who expressed low aspirations.
The researchers’ main takeaway: teachers and parents should recognize that “the don’t-know response is a warning sign for low future educational attainment.” In response, educators and parents should impress on these students (and those with low aspirations) the life-changing potential of a college degree and work to turn around the dynamic that undermines these students’ desire to go to college – most likely stereotype threat that creates a self-perpetuating cycle of negative beliefs, low expectations, and inadequate effort.
“Disparities in the Likelihood of Earning a College Degree Among Students with Noncommittal, Low, and High Educational Self-Expectations” by Cynthia Murphy, Siffat Sharmin, and Hsien-Yuan Hsu in Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, July-September 2024 (Vol. 29, #3, pp. 177-205)
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Career Technology Education (CTE) |
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- At the most recent TEA CTE Specialist Meeting Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) were discussed. CTSOs enhance students' experiences in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by offering real-world experiences, competitions, and leadership development opportunities. These organizations help students build technical, leadership, and teamwork skills while exploring career paths and engaging with their communities. The organizations below are new CTSOs that are in the planning year phase this year, and will be implemented in the 25-26 school year.
- Future Coaches of Texas Association
- ProStart/Houston ISD
- Texas Hotel and Lodging Association
- Young Billionaires Club
- For more information please contact Anna Olguin at Anna.Olguin@esc20.net
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National Math Stars is a ten-year, fully funded non-profit program that identifies 2nd and 3rd grade students of extraordinary math aptitude, and provides the student and families with $100,000 of STEM enrichment programs, summer camps, family advising, math mentoring, and more if accepted. Click here to request more information on nominating students from your district or school. The application window for the 2025 cohort of National Math Stars ends June 15th, so reach out before then if you'd like to nominate students from your school or district. - keith.hartle@nationalmathstars.org
- The ESC20 College Prep Advisory Committee has completed the review of the 2025-2030 MOU draft and recommendations.This MOU will move forward to final recommendations and signatures for all partners.
- With all the new updates coming up in G/T Policy TAC and Procedures (TX State Plan Revision), ESC-20 can help with Program and Policy Reviews. These reviews can be instrumental in helping you better understand how current district practices are in line with state expectations. Please contact Rolando Ruvalcaba at Rolando.Ruvalcaba@esc20.net for more information.
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Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Education |
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- TSDS PEIMS has undergone an upgrade. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, LEAs will begin sending TSDS date through an application programming interface (API) rather than manually loading files.
- The Texas Education Data Standards have been updated to a new version, which revised the names of data elements.
- The TSDS Web-Enabled Data Standards (TWEDS) have moved.
- TSDS reports are still available to review data for Emergent Bilingual students.
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Early Childhood Education |
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- We want to introduce you to an exciting opportunity for professional development, the Pre-K and Early Childhood Education Cooperative (PEEC), designed to provide a wide range of learning opportunities tailored to meet the diverse instructional needs of your youngest learners for one low cost.
- See Early Childhood Site Link for more details
- ESC-20 Early Childhood Newsletter
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Sound Sense: Unleashing the Power of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
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June 9, 2025
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1:00-4:00 pm
FREE to PEEC Members!
Dive into the world of sounds with "Sound Sense: Unleashing the Power of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness!" This interactive presentation will take you on a journey through the essentials of phonological and phonemic awareness, turning complex concepts into playful activities and engaging insights. Discover how to decode the rhythms of language and unlock the secrets of effective literacy instruction. You'll leave with practical tools and a fresh perspective on how sound skills pave the way for reading success. Get ready to tune in, turn up the fun, and transform your approach to teaching literacy!
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The Prekindergarten Enrollment Tools and Resources offers downloadable pdfs, videos, an example enrollment campaign and more. This resource section is composed of five categories: Outreach, Family Education, Registration, Expanding Access, and Community Empowerment. Each category has specific tools and resources to expand enrollment in High-Quality prekindergarten Programs. For additional support, use the Enrollment Toolkit on the Prekindergarten Registration and Enrollment page and TEA’s Early Childhood Education Resources page, Frequently Asked Questions and other pages.
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- Are you interested in bringing computer science and computational thinking to the elementary classroom? Free sessions, which include classroom technology, are offered in June. Launch K-5 features 2 days of face to face training and 1 day of asynchronous coursework. Sessions: June 2 and 3; OR June 4 and 5; OR June 18 and 19.
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Introduction to Artificial Intelligence sessions for teachers are available on Friday, June 27 and Monday, July 21! Check the Digital Age Learning flyer for registration information: http://bit.ly/esc20web
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Leveraging AI for Social Studies Planning, Monday, June 16, Info and registration: http://bit.ly/esc20web
- New Asynchronous Courses available! Introduction to AI for Teachers, AI Tools: Google Gemini and AI Tools: NotebookLM from Google. Elevate20 Asynchronous Sessions
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- The Living Science Department offers districts, private schools, and charters in the Living Science Cooperative access to living and non-living materials for cross-curricular classroom use, enhancing lesson plans in subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies.
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Living items include plants, microorganisms, bacteria, fish, amphibians, non-venomous reptiles, invertebrates (e.g., crickets, tarantulas, crayfish), and small mammals (e.g., hamsters, mice).
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Non-living items include preserved specimens, science kits, TWA trunks, seeds, and deionized water. If TWA trunks are unavailable, they can be requested from the Texas Wildlife Association.
- View a complete list of items available
- Living Science May 2025 Newsletter
- Not a member of the Living Science Co-op? Click on the button below to join.
- For more details, contact the Living Science Materials Center.
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Assessment and Accountability |
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- Here is the May edition of the TEA Performance Reporting Newsletter, featuring the latest updates and information related to accountability, assessment, and data reporting.
- Check out the ESC-20 Accountability and Assessment Newsletter for the latest updates, important deadlines, and upcoming professional development opportunities. Stay informed and ahead of key requirements!
- Check out the ESC-20 Federal Programs Newsletter for the latest updates, important deadlines, and upcoming professional development opportunities. Stay informed and make the most of these valuable resources!
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Gun-Free Schools Report Opening
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Opens: May 2, 2025
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Deadline: June 28, 2025 The PR6000 and PR6100 reports must be submitted via eGrants in the TEAL platform.
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Reminder: Monitor Your LEA’s Drawdowns As of April 1, 2025, LEAs in ESC-20 have only drawn down 35% of their federal funds, with 65% remaining. Please ensure your LEA is actively drawing down funds. You can monitor your drawdown status through the TEA Entitlements Dashboard.
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ESC-20 Federal Programs Newsletter
- Early student-level results for the 2025 Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) Alternate administration are now available for district superintendents and district testing coordinators in the Centralized Reporting System (CRS). These results can help support student-level decisions, including meeting reclassification criteria. Additionally, early data files are posted in the Secure File Center for district testing coordinators. More information can be found on the Reporting Events page of the District and Campus Coordinator Resources. Starting April 11, early student-level results will also be available in CRS for other educators with appropriate user roles or student roster associations. For questions or assistance, contact Texas Testing Support at (833) 601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or use live chat at TexasAssessment.gov.
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- Regional Director’s Meeting Virtual
- Pearsall Cluster Meeting
- Floresville Cluster Meeting
As we begin planning for the 2025-2026 Curriculum Forums, we invite you to share any hot topics or areas of interest you would like to see included in next year’s sessions. Your input is essential in ensuring our forums remain relevant, timely, and responsive to the needs of our districts.
Please submit your suggested topics and feel free to include any context or specific challenges you’d like us to address and guest speakers you would like to hear from.
Thank you for your dedication and partnership throughout the year.
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