English Language Arts Update
Thank you for subscribing to the TEA English language arts newsletter.
Today's newsletter provides information related to the following topics:
- English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Review
- English Language Arts Timely Topic
- Holocaust Remembrance Week: January 22–26, 2024
- Black History Month: February 2024
- Texas SPED Support Website
- SPEDTex: Special Education Information Center
- The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Needs
- Apply for Texas Assessment Educator Committees
The State Board of Education (SBOE) has the authority for the review and adoption of the state curriculum standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).
TEA began convening work groups to develop recommendations for revisions to the ELPS in 2019. The ELPS review was temporarily postponed in 2020. The process was resumed in 2023.
Updates regarding the ELPS review and opportunities to submit feedback will be provided on the TEA ELPS Review and Revision web page.
To support Texas reading language arts educators and stakeholders, the English language arts newsletter will occasionally highlight a commonly asked question and response focused on a timely reading language arts topic. This edition’s timely topic question is below.
Question: Are local education agencies required to teach cursive writing?
Answer: Yes, local education agencies are required to provide instruction in the required curriculum adopted by the State Board of Education (SBOE). The English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (ELAR TEKS) require the instruction of cursive writing in grades 2–5 as follows:
Grade 2, English Language Arts and Reading, Adopted 2017
(2) Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--beginning reading and writing. The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell. The student is expected to:
(E) develop handwriting by accurately forming all cursive letters using appropriate strokes when connecting letters.
Grade 3, English Language Arts and Reading, Adopted 2017
(2) Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--beginning reading and writing. The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell. The student is expected to:
(D) write complete words, thoughts, and answers legibly in cursive leaving appropriate spaces between words.
Grade 4, English Language Arts and Reading, Adopted 2017
(2) Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--beginning reading and writing. The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell. The student is expected to:
(C) write legibly in cursive to complete assignments.
Grade 5, English Language Arts and Reading, Adopted 2017
(2) Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--beginning reading and writing. The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell. The student is expected to:
(C) write legibly in cursive.
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Holocaust Remembrance Week is January 22–26, 2024.
State law requires that school campuses use the week to teach about the Holocaust using resources developed or approved by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC).
Please contact THGAAC State Coordinator of Education Dr. Wolfson or your appropriate Regional Coordinator with any questions: https://thgaac.texas.gov/about/staff#
Black History Month: February 2024
Each year, during February, we celebrate the history and cultural contributions of Black Americans in the United States. Students learn about the achievements, perspectives, struggles, and experiences of Black Americans throughout more than 400 years of American history. The TEA web page for Black History Month provides a variety of resources, including, lessons, activities, and instructional materials, that can be used to honor Black American History Month.
The SPEDTex, the Special Education Information Center website provides resources and interactive features for increasing families' understanding of special education, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.
The SPEDTex website provides family resources in English and Spanish, an opportunity to build a My SPEDTex account, a call center, and a live chat feature to assist families with their special education needs.
Contact SPEDTex:
Website: www.spedtex.org
Phone: 1-855-773-3839
Email: inquire@spedtex.org
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The Texas SPED Support website is a one-stop-shop for educators and administrators who support students served by special education. The website houses special education resources such as online courses, printable tools and templates, guidebooks, and a robust video library. Sign up for a Texas SPED Support account today to follow topics related to your specific needs.
For questions regarding any of the special education technical assistance resources housed on Texas SPED Support, please contact sped@tea.texas.gov.
Additionally, you can follow Texas SPED Support on social media for real-time updates.
Follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Threads: @TexasSPEDSupport Follow on Twitter: @TXSPEDSupport
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Do you have a student who needs a course that your school does not offer?
The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) can help meet students’ needs through TEA-approved online courses. The TXVSN statewide course catalog provides schools and students access to high school, Advanced Placement, career and technical education, and dual credit courses for initial credit or credit recovery. The TXVSN courses are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and taught by Texas-certified teachers trained in best practices in online instruction. Schools can use the TXVSN courses to create flexibility in a student’s schedule, allow a student to accelerate their learning, and address local teacher shortages. Students enrolled in a TXVSN course can generate funding regardless of whether the student is physically present at school while participating in the course.
For more information about the courses offered through the TXVSN, please visit the TXVSN website or contact the TXVSN Help Desk.
Apply for Assessment Educator Committees
Apply for Assessment Educator Committees
Each year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) invites Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review, edit, and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is specifically looking for educators from your region!
The commitment is generally two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. All participants will earn Continuing Professional Education credits. If you are interested or know other educators who would like to participate in a committee, fill out the application form here: https://www.texasassessment.gov/educator-committees.html.
Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.
Reading Language Arts Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
(512) 463-9581
For questions or additional information, please visit the English language arts and reading webpage or submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.
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