Texas SPED Support Launch
Did you know that the TEA's Special Education Program team has spent the last 5 years developing tools and templates, videos, guidance documents, and professional development to meet the needs of administrators, teachers, and support staff who work with students with disabilities? This suite of resources can be found on Texas SPED Support, the one-stop shop for all of your special education needs. Here are just a few of the amazing features of this new website that will help you find exactly what you need.
-
Share resources with colleagues or to your social media directly: Have a parent who needs information on a specific topic? Want to take an online course with your team? Have a colleague who needs a template for tracking student data? Use the ‘share’ feature for a variety of purposes.
-
Search Texas SPED Support: You can find exactly what you are looking for in a variety of ways. Searching by topic allows you to scan through all resources related to a particular topic. Resources include tools/templates, videos, and guidance documents and can be searched by Topics, Type, Audience, and Language. The Learning Library includes online courses, live training, and conferences and can be searched similarly as Resources.
-
Create an account: By creating a Texas SPED Support account, you can bookmark resources and follow topics that are relevant to you so you can find them when you need them.
-
Find your regional contact: Texas SPED Support makes available your regional education service center (ESC) contacts so you can get support from experts in your area. You can find your regional contact for a specific topic or simply find all contacts in your region.
As you can see, Texas SPED Support is a valuable resource for anyone who supports students with disabilities. For real-time Texas SPED Support updates, follow us on social media at @TexasSPEDSupport (Facebook, Threads, Instagram) or @TXSPEDSupport (X).
The purpose of this grant opportunity is to increase capacity across Texas schools to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism ages 3-21. This grant will be available to Texas school districts and open enrollment charters, with priority given to collaborations across LEAs. The application window will open in February. Visit the Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant Award Program webpage for additional information and updates.
Texas Autism Conference
Registration is now open for the 32nd Annual Texas Autism Conference! Educators, professionals, and families are welcome to join on June 20-22, 2024. In-person (Austin, TX) and virtual options are available for this conference. This conference provides educators and campus leadership with strategies, resources, and evidence-based practices in the education of students with autism. Early-bird pricing for the conference is available through April 24, 2024.
New Science TEKS to be Implemented in 2024-2025
TEA highlights useful tools supporting pedagogy, lesson planning, and professional learning communities as campuses prepare for the new science TEKS. These resources are all linked on the TEA science webpage.
Science TEKS Side-By-Side documents are intended to support teachers' understanding of the upcoming changes to the science standards to be implemented in 2024. While the current standards should continue to be implemented in the coming school year, these documents can help support educators by highlighting potential areas for teacher learning as they prepare for the revised TEKS.
Supporting Science TEKS with STEM One-pager documents are intended to support teachers’ understanding of STEM processes and how they are integrated into the newly adopted science standards. Resources found here include an explanation of the engineering design process, evaluation tools, scientific and engineering perspectives on the upcoming recurring themes and concepts, and support for student development of scientific and engineering explanations. Because these resources are useful across all units of study, they are an excellent starting point for teacher professional learning.
Industry-Based Certifications for CCMR Accountability
On December 12, 2023, the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) three-member commission adopted the Industry-Based Certification (IBC) Advisory Council’s Inventory of Industry-Recognized Credentials to comply with Texas Labor Code Chapter 312. State law requires the TWC to provide a copy of the Industry-Recognized Credential Inventory to each school district and public institution of higher education that offers a career and technical education (CTE) program to public high school students. Districts received this communication from TWC the week of December 18, 2023. The IBC Advisory Council Inventory of Industry-Recognized Credentials may be found on TWC’s Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative webpage.
The Texas Education Agency’s Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability
While the TWC’s list of industry-recognized credentials may be used to provide additional opportunities to meet the educational and career goals of students, only the Texas Education Agency’s Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability with aligned certifying entities may be reported through the Texas Student Data System (TSDS) Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) and count toward the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) calculations for accountability and for reimbursement requests. In the future, all certifications included on TWC’s inventory will be evaluated against criteria in 19 TAC §74.1003 for possible inclusion on the TEA’s list for public school accountability.
For More Information
For more information about the TEA IBC requirements, please contact cte@tea.texas.gov.
FAST – Financial Aid for Swift Transfer Program
Overview
The Texas Education Agency is releasing an informational webinar that addresses the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program. This program, created by House Bill (HB) 8, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, provides funding to participating public institutions of higher education so they can offer dual credit courses to educationally disadvantaged students at no cost to these students. View the FAST Program webinar or visit the FAST web page for detailed information.
Student Eligibility
Students are eligible for the FAST program if they:
- are enrolled in an eligible dual credit course at a public school district or charter school (i.e., eligible for Foundation School Program funding); and
- are taking a course offered through an institutional agreement, as outlined in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Section 4.84, from an institution of higher education (IHE) that has opted to participate in FAST; and
- were students who met the criteria for educationally disadvantaged, as defined under Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 5.001(4), in any of the four school years prior to the academic year in which the student is enrolled in the eligible dual credit course.
Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Participation
FAST is an optional program available to public institutions of higher education, as defined under TEC, Section 61.003(8). Institutions must complete a program participation agreement (PPA) to either opt in or opt out of the FAST program.
A current FAST Participation Listing for FY 2024 is available. Please note that institutions can opt in for the spring 2024 semester until March 15, 2024, at which point this list will be updated.
For More Information
Learn more about the FAST Program by viewing the FAST Program webinar. If you have any questions regarding FAST, please reach out to Leah Smalley at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or access THECB’s inquiry system directly. If you have questions regarding College, Career, and Military Preparation, please contact CCMP@tea.texas.gov.
This Week in Performance Reporting
What’s New in Performance Reporting
A–F Accountability
For questions or assistance regarding the information in this section, call the Performance Reporting Division at 512-463-9704 or email performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.
CCMR: Accountability Data Sources Document Updated Today
The CCMR Accountability Data Sources document has been updated and reposted on the Performance Reporting Resources page. The update to this document includes new 2024 PEIMS links as well as the military enlistment information which is in effect for 2024 Accountability.
All-Campus Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) is Now Available (December 19, 2023)
On December 15, 2023, the 2023 Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) were released publicly on the TAPR webpage, and to districts within Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) Accountability. Additionally, the batched all-campus PDF has now been released within TEAL for ease of access to all campus data. The batch version as provided on TEAL may be released to the public as part of the fulfillment of statute to hold a public hearing and widely publish a district’s annual report. For additional information, please reference the following correspondence: Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) Now Available sent on December 15, 2023.
Preliminary Accelerated Testing List Now Available (December 19, 2023)
The Preliminary 2024 Accelerated Testers Student Listing was released within TEAL Accountability on December 19, 2023. Students included on the listing were reported as enrolled in grade 11 on the 2022-23 PEIMS attendance files and have either 1) taken an EOC assessment prior to enrolling in grade 9 or 2) earned course credit for an advanced course in Spring or Summer 2020 and were granted a COVID testing waiver. Students are attributed to the district and campus at which they were reported in attendance for the final six weeks of SY 2022-23. The Preliminary 2024 Accelerated Testers Student Listings reflect which subject area the student is considered accelerated and if the student has a corresponding SAT or ACT on record.
2023 Federal Report Card Now Available (December 19, 2023)
The Federal Report Card for Texas Public Schools is a web-based system that generates the required federal report cards at the state, district, and campus levels for easy dissemination by school districts. Every district that receives Title I, Part A funding is responsible for distributing the reports to each of its campuses, the parents of all enrolled students, and the general public. For additional information, please reference the following correspondence: Title I, Part A Federal Report Card Dissemination Requirements.
2023 TPRS and TAPR Release (December 15, 2023)
The 2023 Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS) and the 2023 Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) were released on their respective Texas Education Agency (TEA) webpages. TPRS and TAPR are available by Campus, District, Region, or for the State.
This release does not include the Campus or District 2023 Accountability Reports. The issuance of the A–F ratings under 2023 rule is pending and subject to change.
Upcoming 2023 Performance-Based Monitoring (PBM) Data Validation Release Dates
District and student-level data validation reports will be posted to TEAL Accountability, Performance-Based Monitoring, on the following date:
Student Assessment Data Validation: Mid–January 2024
For more information on each indicator, please see the Texas Education Agency’s Data Validation Manuals webpage. If you have further questions, please email pbm@tea.texas.gov or call this team at (512) 463-9704.
Fall 2023 PEIMS Correction Window Closing Soon (January 18, 2024)
The PEIMS Fall Snapshot is the source of several important pieces of data used for accountability calculations. Data collected during the Fall Submission is used to identify student characteristics to determine student groups, grade span for a campus, graduation type code, and a student’s continuously or non-continuously enrolled status. The CCMR Accountability Data Sources provides additional information about the specific PEIMS elements and values used to identify students who have demonstrated college and/or career readiness through dual credit, industry certification, an associate degree, college prep courses, and special education graduates with an advanced graduation plan.
The data entered for the 2023-2024 school year Fall Submission will impact campus and district 2025 accountability for the lagging indicators in the year following a student’s graduation. The window for district submission, and correction if needed, of this data occurs during this school year.
Upcoming Fall 2023 PEIMS Submission Date:
January 18, 2024– Fall Resubmission (corrected submission) due. This is the final opportunity for districts to make corrections to 2023 Fall Snapshot data which are used for accountability calculations.
For further details on upcoming PEIMS submission dates please see TWEDS 2023-24 PEIMS Data Submission Timelines. As a reminder, districts are responsible for the accurate submission and timely verification of all TSDS PEIMS data submissions and data submitted to the Working Collection are not used in accountability calculations.
Assessment Scoring and Reporting
Contact Texas Testing Support at 833-601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or TexasAssessment.gov via live chat. Important Dates are available in the Calendar of Events.
2023 Results Driven Accountability (RDA): Determinations and Monitoring
Local educational agencies (LEAs) have now been assigned Results Driven Accountability (RDA) program area determinations for monitoring activities and support interventions during the 2023–2024 school year. This notice provides information about the adoption of the RDA system into rule, LEA determinations, and related monitoring activities for LEAs.
Reminder: What is RDA?
RDA is a data-driven monitoring framework consisting of indicators in three program areas: bilingual education/English as a second language/emergent bilingual (BE/ESL/EB), special education (SPED), and other special populations (OSP). It results in a summative performance level determination issued annually to each LEA, in a range from 1 to 4. The determination levels are used by the LEA to engage in intervention and continuous improvement activities with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Many LEAs also adopt an RDA target as a strategic goal and/or use RDA indicators to evaluate their own performance with students in special populations.
2023 Accountability Manual: Chapter 12—Results Driven Accountability
Chapter 12—Results Driven Accountability (RDA) and Appendix K in the 2023 Accountability Manual (2023 Accountability Manual webpage) were adopted into rule at 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §97.1001, effective November 14, 2023. In previous years, RDA was adopted as a separate rule. Education service center (ESC) and LEA staff can still access RDA information from prior years from the RDA Documentation webpage.
The new RDA chapter in the 2023 Accountability Manual describes the RDA guiding principles, data sources, data processing requirements, and other information utilized for assigning performance levels (PLs) to the indicators for the special education (SPED), other special populations (OSP), and bilingual education/English as a second language/emergent bilingual (BE/ESL/EB) program areas. The chapter also includes newly updated and user-friendly information about the federal equity requirements and calculations for significant disproportionality (SD). Specific information about the data sources is included for each indicator in Appendix K.
LEA Program Area Determinations Levels
The RDA webpage contains intervention and submission calendars, as well as Determination Level (DL) frameworks that describe the underlying principles and method for assigning DLs to LEA program areas. This method utilizes one of the following four determinations for each program area: Meets Requirements (DL 1), Needs Assistance (DL 2), Needs Intervention (DL 3), and Needs Substantial Intervention (DL 4). Determinations for OSP and BE/ESL/EB solely utilize program specific PLs related to the RDA indicators. However, SPED program area determinations also use four additional PLs assigned to each of the federally required elements (FREs), which are described in the DL framework for SPED.
The 2023 RDA masked district report and data download, including FRE PLs, and program area determinations are now published on the RDA Data and Reports website. LEA determinations are scheduled to be posted in the Ascend Texas application, accessible through the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) by January 24, 2024.
Monitoring Activities and Interventions
For the 2023–2024 school year, LEAs are selected for monitoring activities and intervention supports based on their 2022 determinations for cyclical monitoring and their 2023 determinations and SD year 3 designations for targeted monitoring and intensive supports. Although many requirements remain unchanged from the previous year, all updated monitoring and intervention requirements are described in the 2023–2024 Results Driven Accountability Intervention Requirements, 2023–2024 Special Populations Monitoring Results Driven Accountability Intervention and Submission Calendar (for BE/ESL/EB and OSP), and 2023–2024 Special Education Results Driven Accountability Intervention and Submission Calendar.
Data Issues and Unanticipated Circumstances
If an unanticipated circumstance impacts an LEA’s ability to meet the required intervention timelines, information detailing the individual circumstances, along with a projected date for completing the interventions, should be submitted to TEA as soon as possible. Such a request does not defer other requirements contained in this correspondence or other monitoring documents, but it will be considered.
If data accuracy or integrity issues are identified by TEA, either during a data review or during the implementation of the required intervention activities, the LEA will be required to address procedural concerns and institute systematic improvements for collecting and submitting data. Data accuracy or data integrity issues may also result in the LEA being subjected to escalated oversight, interventions, and/or sanctions. Should data accuracy or data integrity issues be identified from other monitoring activities the TEA is required to conduct, including monitoring activities related to accreditation determinations or compliance with federal formula or discretionary grant requirements, the LEA will receive notification in a timely manner from appropriate TEA staff.
RDA Overview Training and Resources
In addition to the resources described above, an RDA overview recording will be posted to the RDA webpage by January 18, 2024. TEA will also host a self-assessment overview training for BE/ESL/EB and OSP program areas on January 25, 2024.
Contact
To request assistance in accessing the Ascend Texas application, submit information related to an unanticipated circumstance, or address general questions, please contact the Department of Special Populations General Supervision and Monitoring in the Office of Special Populations and Student Supports by phone at (512) 463-9414 or by email at reviewandsupport@tea.texas.gov.
|
Performance Reporting Calendar
|
|
August 23
|
CCMR Final Student Listing (2022 Graduates including AEAs)
|
|
September 12
|
Consolidated Accountability File (CAF) shared with districts from Cambium in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)
|
|
October 31
|
Final 2023 Accountability Manual (All Chapters and Appendices) Released
|
|
November 7
|
2022 What If Ratings re-released, based on final manual (TEAL)
|
|
November 14
|
Release of the 2023 Accountability Reports and Federal Reports (TEAL)
|
|
November 16
|
Region and state-level raw data reports, slides summarizing the 2023 statewide raw data, and the School Improvement (SI) federal identification lists
|
|
December 15
|
Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR); Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS)
|
|
December 19
|
Federal Report Cards Posted; Preliminary 2024 Accelerated Tester List
|
|
Delayed
|
School Report Cards Posted
|
|
Delayed
|
2023 A–F Refresh Parent Resources; Explanatory Materials; Videos Released
|
|
Delayed
|
2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TEAL) Accountability Appeals Registration Window Opens
|
|
Delayed
|
2022 What If Ratings Public Publication and 2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TXschools.gov)
|
|
Delayed
|
Preliminary Public Education Grant (PEG) List Posted
|
|
Delayed
|
Appeals Resolved; Final Ratings Posted
|
|
Delayed
|
Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Integration Taskforce Meeting
|
Emergent Bilingual Support Division Webinars
2023-2024 Emergent Bilingual Support Division Zoom Meetings
Education Service Centers, School District staff, and Open-Enrollment Charter School staff are invited to attend!
Please contact your local ESC panelist with questions before the EB Support Division Webinars.
Topic: EB Division Webinar
Date: Friday, February 2, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Resources: 2/2/24 Registration
Topic: EB Division Webinar
Date: Friday, March 1, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Resources: 3/1/24 Registration
Topic: EB Division Webinar
Date: Friday, April 5, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Resources: 4/5/24 Registration
Topic: EB Division Webinar
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Resources: 5/17/24 Registration
Topic: EB Division Webinar
Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Resources: 6/7/24 Registration
Please send any questions to Englishlearnersupport@tea.texas.gov
Texas Student Data System (TSDS) Upgrade Project
Background
The TSDS Upgrade Project is a multi-year initiative to upgrade the Operational Data Store (ODS) and the Texas Education Data Standards (TEDS) to a current version of the Ed-Fi data standard. This initiative replaces the current Extensible Markup Language (XML) data extract provided by your source system vendors with Application Programming Interface (API) transactions for all TSDS data submissions beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.
Impacts to Data Reporting
This project significantly impacts how LEAs load and validate their data in TSDS. As a result of the upgrade, LEAs will no longer submit their TSDS data in the XML format. Student Information, Human Resource, Finance, and Early Childhood Data System Assessment source system vendors will be required to provide this data through API transactions based upon the Ed-Fi Standard v4 in the 2024-2025 school year.
All source system vendors that TEA is aware of are in the process of changing their systems and testing in the 2023-2024 Parallel Submission year. All vendors are required to participate and test in the parallel year. Please contact your source system vendors directly to ensure their awareness and readiness of this upcoming change. Below is a link to the list of source system vendors TEA is currently collaborating with on this project:
If your LEA currently contracts or provides their own solution to generate XML data files or your source system vendor is unaware of the upgrade project, please contact TSDSDeployment@tea.texas.gov immediately. Additional support and outreach will be provided by TEA to ensure an effective transition from XML data files to API transactions.
Timeline
2022-2023 School Year: TEA conducted a pilot program with various source system vendors and a limited number of LEAs to conduct initial testing. The pilot concluded in August 2023.
2023-2024 School Year: TEA has established the Parallel Submission opportunity for over 300 participating LEAs to compare their XML data submissions against the API transactions provided by their vendor(s).
2024-2025 School Year: The TSDS Upgrade Project will go live. All LEAs will be required to submit API transactions for their TSDS data submissions. XML data files will not be supported and accepted by TEA.
Parallel Submission
For the 2023-2024 school year, TEA has established a comprehensive testing environment for participating LEAs to effectively compare XML data reporting against API transactions. LEAs will be able to verify the API transactions being provided by their source system vendors, participate in training opportunities being offered by their regional education service centers (ESCs), and submit direct feedback to TEA. XML will continue to be the official reporting for any LEA participating in the Parallel Submission.
Data Changes and Requirements
Refer to the Operational Data Store (ODS) Upgrade Texas Education Data Standards for changes to the TSDS Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) and CORE collections as a result of the TSDS Upgrade Project.
For Further Information
Learn more about the TSDS Upgrade Project by visiting our website: https://www.texasstudentdatasystem.org/tsds/about/tsds-upgrade-project
If you have questions, please contact your supporting ESC or TEA at: TSDSDeloyment@tea.texas.gov.
Blended Learning PD Reimbursements for the 2023-2024 School Year
Blended learning combines online learning with face-to-face teacher-led instruction to effectively support differentiated instruction for all students. High-quality professional development (PD) for educators is a foundational component of successful blended learning (BL) implementation that leads to improved academic outcomes for students. To assist school systems in high-fidelity implementation of blended learning, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will reimburse school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (local educational agencies or LEAs) for blended learning professional development programs from qualifying providers. This funding is provided by Rider 49 of the General Appropriations Act of the 88th Texas Legislature.
Qualified programs for 2023-2024 school year are the following:
UTeach Blended Learning Professional Development
UT High School (UTHS) Blended Learning Professional Development
- UTHS offers online professional development courses facilitated by specialists with expertise in blended learning implementation for teachers and administrators.
- To request more information on BL courses, please visit at UT HS BL PD Courses.
- Contact at UTHSpartner@austin.utexas.edu or 512-232-3503 to schedule an appointment with a UTHS blended learning specialist.
Note: This professional development is intended to align the core instructional content of the classroom with the online software component.
Process for Approval of Reimbursements:
- The LEA contacts the PD provider, completes provider-created readiness materials, and submits the list of educators to be enrolled in the program to the PD provider.
- TEA and the PD provider will review a readiness assessment and approve LEA and educator eligibility for reimbursements.
- Once approval is obtained, the LEA pays the cost of the selected program and educators begin the PD program; and
- Upon verified educator completion of the program, TEA will reimburse the LEA.
Please note:
- Reimbursements will be approved based on the availability of funds and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For the 2023-2024 school year, PD programs must be completed by August 31, 2024, to be eligible for reimbursement.
For additional information or assistance, please send an email to blendedlearning@tea.texas.gov.
It has become crucial to educate ourselves and our students, educators, families, and communities about the dangers of fentanyl.
To support this initiative, TEA is coordinating with our state agency partners to provide resources targeted to school personnel, students, and families we serve. Through TEA’s new Texas School Mental Health Resource Database, TEA and regional education service centers (ESCs) have identified resources throughout Texas to support collaboration with mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services in each region and statewide.
School systems can also strategically collaborate with other community-based organizations in the statewide effort to prevent harm from this dangerous drug.
Questions about this database should be directed to Texas School Mental Health Database.
FY23 School Safety Allotment Data Collection
Overview
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to supporting local educational agencies (LEAs) in their efforts to improve the safety and security of school facilities for staff, students, and visitors. This To the Administrator Addressed provides information related to the FY23 School Safety Allotment Data Collection.
School Safety Allotment
The 86th Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 11, creating an annual school safety allotment to help fund equipment, programs and training related to school safety and security. The 87th Legislature enacted House Bill (HB) 1525 which included a provision requiring TEA to publish an annual report regarding the programs, personnel, resources, and other purposes for which those funds are used by LEAs.
FY 2023 School Safety Allotment data will be collected by mandatory survey beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 5, 2024, and concluding Monday, February 12, 2024. Superintendents will receive the Qualtrics survey via email tomorrow, Friday, January 5, 2024.
To successfully complete the survey, LEAs should gather and collect information related to all expenditures from their school safety allotment for the 2023 fiscal year. When completing the survey, LEAs should only account for funds allotted. LEAs should complete the survey by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024. Prior to submission, please review the requested information for the FY 2023 School Safety Allotment data collection.
For additional information, please see Texas Education Code, Section 48.115.
Questions
Access TEA School Safety Resources on the TEA website.
If you have any questions, please contact Shane Sexton in the Office of School Safety and Security at Shane.Sexton@tea.texas.gov.
News from the
Federal Program Compliance Division
Federal Report Card
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires each State education agency to prepare and publish an annual report card with state-, local education agency (LEA)- and campus-level data. The Federal Report Card data for 2022-2023 are now available.
Dissemination Requirement
Each LEA that receives Title I, Part A funding is responsible for disseminating the state-, LEA- and campus-level report cards to 1) all LEA campuses, 2) parents of all enrolled students, and 3) the general public via widely available public means, such as posting on the Internet, distribution to the media, or distribution through public agencies.
At a minimum, the LEA must—
- Post direct links to the State, LEA, and campus report cards on its web site;
- Notify parents of all students about the availability of the report cards and the options for obtaining them;
- Provide appropriate translation (either oral or written) upon request;
- Make hard copies available to parents upon request; and
- Make hard copies available for viewing in public locations.
Sample parent notification letters in English and Spanish that LEAs may customize are available on the TEA Federal Report Card Web Page. TEA strongly encourages LEAs to translate the sample letter in a language and format that all parents can understand.
LEAs are not required to use the sample parent notification letters, but they must make the federal report card information readily accessible to the public, and LEAs must notify parents of the availability of the federal report card information no later than Monday, March 4, 2024.
As per recent guidance from the US Department of Education, each LEA shall have the federal report cards posted on its website for a minimum of 3 years.
Contact Information
Questions related to the dissemination requirement should be directed to the Federal Program Compliance Division at ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov, or 512-463-9499.
Questions related to the data contained in the report should be directed to the Performance Reporting Division at Performance.Reporting@tea.texas.gov, or 512-463-9704.
News from the Fine Arts Team
New Fine Arts Prerequisites Document
TEA has created a reference document to assist educators, counselors, and stakeholders understand the prerequisites for fine arts courses listed under the 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 117.
Readers may find this new reference document on the TEA fine arts webpage located under the Additional Fine Arts Resources section.
In this document, each fine arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) is broken down by course to help readers understand the prerequisite differences of many fine arts disciplines. The following is an example of what can be found in the document:
Course: Art III, Jewelry II
Prerequisite: Art II, Jewelry I
|
Fine Arts Timely Topic – Half Credits in Fine Arts
To support Texas fine arts educators and stakeholders, each newsletter will highlight a commonly asked question. This edition’s question is –
Can students who earn half credits in fine arts classes use their proportional credits toward the fine arts graduation requirement?
The answer is often yes. The 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.26(d) states that students who are able to successfully complete only half of a course, in accordance with local policy, can be awarded credit proportionately. A student may satisfy a graduation requirement for which there are multiple options with one-half credit of one option and one-half credit of a second option, unless otherwise specified by 19 TAC or LEA policy.
For example, a student who made a schedule change mid-year from Music I, Choir I into Musical Theatre I may combine the two half credits to meet their fine arts graduation requirement (pending successful completion of the courses and local policy).
Updated Innovative Course Application Timeline
To benefit both innovative course applicants and LEAs who wish to implement innovative courses, the timeline for future innovative course application cycles has been updated. The updated timeline is designed to provide additional time for the following:
- Applicants to complete applications
- Applicants to receive local board approval
- Applicants to complete course pilots and analyze data
- Districts and open-enrollment charters to plan for innovative course implementation
Courses that are approved will be available for implementation beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
The updated innovative course application timeline has been posted on the TEA innovative courses webpage.
News from the Social Studies Team
live-stream
Social Studies Timely Topic: Holocaust and Genocide
To support Texas social studies educators and stakeholders, the social studies newsletter occasionally highlights a commonly asked question and response focused on a timely social studies topic. This edition’s timely topic question is below.
Question: “Which courses have TEKS related to the Holocaust and genocide?
Response: Several middle school and high school courses have TEKS related to the Holocaust and genocide. Some samples are listed below. For additional samples, see the THGAAC web page Holocaust and Genocide-related TEKS.
(9) Government. The student understands the concepts of limited and unlimited governments. The student is expected to:
(C) identify and describe examples of human rights abuses by limited or unlimited governments such as the oppression of religious, ethnic, and political groups.
(7) History. The student understands the domestic and international impact of U.S. participation in World War II. The student is expected to:
(C) analyze major issues of World War II, including the Holocaust; the internment of Japanese Americans and Executive Order 9066; and the development of atomic weapons
(21) Citizenship. The student understands the historical development of significant legal and political concepts related to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The student is expected to:
(D) identify examples of genocide, including the Holocaust and genocide in Armenia, the Balkans, Rwanda, and Darfur
(18) Culture. The student understands the ways in which cultures change and maintain continuity. The student is expected to:
(B) assess causes and effects of conflicts between groups of people, including modern genocides and terrorism
Social Studies Stakeholder Engagement Sessions: February 2024
February Topic:
The social studies team at TEA is committed to enhancing opportunities for stakeholder engagement across the state of Texas. Social Studies Stakeholder Engagement Sessions allow the TEA social studies team to expand information sharing and interaction with stakeholders. Each session has a different informational focus and includes a fifteen-to-twenty-minute presentation from TEA staff, followed by an opportunity for general questions and discussion related to social studies. Stakeholder engagement sessions will be provided on two different days at two different times (during and outside of the school day) to provide stakeholders multiple opportunities to attend. The information shared will be the same in each meeting. All social studies stakeholders (parents, teachers, administrators, etc.) are invited to attend by registering below.
Target Audience: Social Studies Stakeholders- Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations
Dates & Times
Monday, February 26th, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration Link
Tuesday, February 27th, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration Link
You can access the TEA presentations from the previous stakeholder engagement sessions on the TEA social studies web page.
Financial Literacy and Economics
The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted instructional materials for Personal Financial Literacy and Economics and other courses under Proclamation 2024 at its November 2023 meeting. The list of adopted materials and the TEKS Not Addressed report are available in the Proclamation 2024 section of the Proclamations webpage. The final Report of Required Corrections, cumulative Report of New Content, and the cumulative Report of Editorial Changes will be posted to the Proclamation 2024 section of the Proclamations webpage by the end of January. The changes or corrections on these three reports must be made by the publishers in the final versions of instructional materials provided to schools as a condition of adoption by the SBOE.
Black
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 that can be used to honor Black History Month.
The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Social Studies Course Needs
Need help meeting a student’s social studies course needs?
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 course catalog provides fifteen unique social studies courses to help students meet their learning goals and graduation requirements.
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, or 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
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.
News from the STEM Team
CTE TEKS Review Work Group Application - Engineering
In 2024, the State Board of Education (SBOE) is scheduled to begin the review and revision of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for a set of career and technical education (CTE) courses for a new Engineering career cluster. The review will include courses for the following programs of study:
Engineering Foundations
- Engineering Design Process
- Introduction to Fluids
- Introduction to Mechanics of Materials
- Introduction to Statics
- Programming for Engineers
- Practicum in Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Aerospace Design I and II
- Mechanical Design I and II
Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Civil Engineering I and II
- Surveying
The SBOE’s TEKS review and revision process requires the direct participation of educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers. The SBOE is now accepting applications for the 2024 CTE TEKS review engineering work groups. TEKS review work groups will convene in Austin for two to three face-to-face meetings which may include Saturdays. Additional days or virtual meetings may be scheduled if needed. TEA reimburses work group members for their travel and meal expenses. Work group members will be expected to complete an online orientation session and may be asked to complete pre-work exercises prior to their meetings. To access the application and more information regarding the 2024 CTE TEKS review for engineering, please visit the 2024 CTE TEKS Review: Engineering webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/2024-cte-teks-review-engineering.
The ideal applicant will have knowledge and experience in these specific engineering fields. We encourage educators to forward this information to qualified individuals within their networks. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Questions regarding the application or TEKS review process may be sent via email to teks@tea.texas.gov.
Texas Virtual School Network: STEM Courses
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. Students can access the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education (STEM) courses through the TXVSN.
- Computer Science I
- Computer Science II
- Digital Forensics
- Fundamentals of Computer Science
- Principles of Information Technology
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, or 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.
Free Texas Mobile STEM Lab Professional Development
Learning Undefeated’s Texas Mobile STEM Lab team will be offering free virtual professional development opportunities for K–grade 8 teachers. During this session, the Learning Undefeated team will walk educators through hands-on engineering design challenges that can be modified to fit their classroom needs. Sessions will also include a guidance on how to develop and facilitate a TEKS-aligned engineering design challenge.
Session One: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (Grades K–5) at 4:00 PM CST
Session Two: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (Grades 6–8) at 5:00 PM CST
Participants can use this registration link to sign up for either session. Zoom links will be provided to registrants upon registration.
Nomination for Texas Boys State (9-14 June 2024)
Texas Boys State strives to make good men better at a formative time in their lives. While TXBS is for male students to attend between their Junior and Senior years, Texas Bluebonnet Girl’s State offers an outstanding experience for young women leaders as well. Their program can be reached here: girlsstate@alatexas.org
We welcome charter schools’ nominations of rockstar Juniors! Our rule of thumb for nominations is generally the holistic Top 5-10% of a school’s eligible male Juniors, but this is flexible. We are working with the University of Texas to accommodate up to 1,200 rising Seniors. This is the only opportunity that current Juniors will have to attend. Finances are not a constraint – merit is. The only costs to Statesmen are for T-shirts, souvenirs, and transportation (let me know if that would be prohibitive.) We welcome Statesmen from public, private, charter, and home-school backgrounds.
Why TXBS?
Each summer for over 75 years, the weeklong Texas Boys State program has used the concept of “Learn by Doing” to teach these core principles:
* A better understanding of how to build consensus through civil discourse, campaigning, oratory, debate, and relationship building
* Knowledge of the American and Texan two-party political system and how to put that learning into practice through servant leadership
* New and lasting friendships with a diverse cross-section of high-achieving and dedicated young men from across the state of Texas
Who are the Ideal Statesmen?
We hope schools will nominate their best and brightest leaders in student government, athletics, NHS, activism, theatre, JROTC, band, or just those who show unique potential. These are the boys with strong interpersonal, oratorical, and academic skills who serve as leaders by example at their school.
The Process
First, we hope schools will canvass their current Juniors to find available and interested candidates that they believe will excel amongst their peers at TXBS. Schools (administrators, counselors, teachers, and coaches) should their rockstars! The number of nominees is usually no more than 5-10% of eligible male junior enrollment, but this is flexible. We recommend schools do this in January.
Second, direct schools’ nominees to apply online ASAP with my information (see signature below) as the Legion Sponsor in Section V. We recommend this be in January and February. NOTE: Alternatively, you are more than welcome to contact local Legion Posts directly for sponsorship apply with their info if they so direct.
Third, we will help to connect schools with their local American Legion post. They will conduct confirmatory interviews and sponsor student-leaders. If there are any financial concerns with transportation, please let me know. We are glad to help with scholarship funds to ensure all deserving and meritorious students can access this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If a local Legion post is unresponsive or inactive, please let me know and we will arrange for virtual interviews for sponsorship. This is usually in February, March, and April.
In Conclusion
We are excited and ready to help schools through the application process (found HERE), and generous donors have made scholarships available to ensure as many qualified young men attend as possible. I would love to tell you more about the program and how the nomination process works!
If you have sent student leaders in the past, thank you! Please forward this email and my information to any other leaders in education who may be interested in nominating student-leaders.
|
