From the Support Team

CIO Workshops: Thank you to EdFirst, EAs, and CIOs for making the first CIO Workshop a success! SGS Network CIOs and Executive Advisor firms gathered to share content expertise, tools, and other resources, with a focus on communicating the why behind SGS, the annual Quality Seats Analysis, the annual Portfolio Planning process, and developing senior leadership engagement plans.

SGS Applicants: We are currently hosting readiness assessments to meet with applicant districts' leaders, parents, and students. These will wrap up by October 2nd and we will invite districts to join the Network on October 9th. At that time, district matching with Executive Advisor firms will begin.

The TEA's Strong Start resources have been updated to include the following tools, models, and training to support a strong 2020-21 start:

TEA released today the third Project Restore training video to provide mental health support and trauma-informed training that addresses the mental health needs caused by Coronavirus.

Updates & Opportunities

The 2020 NACSA Leadership Conference will run from Oct. 12th to 30th, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Register here. If your Office of Innovation is onboarding staff who are new to authorizing and have not attended TALA, they will find the pre-conference Authorizer Boot Camp useful. 

1882 Partnerships Webinars: The superintendent or a cabinet member from districts intending to submit a Texas Partnerships Benefit application must attend a training webinar. You can register here for webinar option #1 on Friday, Oct. 2 at 10:00 am, or you can register here for option #2 on Friday, Oct. 9 at 10:00 am. See Texas Partnerships page for more deadlines.

Grants & Resources

The following grant opportunities may help districts provide the schools that students and families want and need. For more details, see the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.

The 2021-23 P-Tech Grant will help LEAs plan and implement the P-Tech program as one of the following models: whole campus, small stand-alone campus, school-in-a-school, or other innovative model. A webinar will be hosted at 10:00 am on Thursday, Sept. 24. (register)

The 2021-23 Early College High School (ECHS) Grant offers at-risk and low-income high school students an opportunity to receive both a diploma and either an AA degree or 60 credit hours toward a BA degree by leveraging higher education partnerships. An optional Notice of Intent to Apply is due Friday, Oct. 9.

The 2021-23 T-STEM Grant allows students to earn a high school diploma with a STEM Endorsement, industry certifications, and an AA degree by leveraging industry and higher education partnerships. An optional Notice of Intent to Apply is due Friday, Oct. 9.

The 2020-23 Blended Learning Grant will help LEAs design, launch, refine, and scale a high-quality blended learning programs, beginning with a pilot and advancing to a feeder pattern by year four. Letters of Interest are due Friday, Sept. 18.

Network News

Galveston ISD Supt. Dr. Kelli Moulton will retire at the end of January 2021. When GISD joined the SGS network in 2017, 36% of GISD students attended an A- or B-rated school; now, 72% of students do so. Thank you Dr. Moulton for your leadership in providing the schools that families need!

The 74 recently interviewed Chris Stewart, the CEO of Brightbeam, about the need for high-quality exams and why measuring education quality supports the equitable service of all students.

Edgewood ISD and Ft. Worth ISD are continuing with their annual Call for Quality Schools.

Ft. Worth ISD's Board voted to return to on-campus instruction on October 5th.