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Announcements and Reminders |
CCRSM 2024- 2025 Planning and Renewal Application Updates
Designation Notification Timeline:
Campuses that submitted their Planning or Renewal application on the Program Application Cycle (PAC) portal before the January 12th, 2024 deadline will receive a notification of their designation status by mid-March 2024. The Program Application Cycle (PAC) is an annual requirement for existing CCRSM programs to renew their designation for the upcoming academic year. The PAC also provides the opportunity for districts to apply to open a new CCRSM program.
The notification email will be addressed to the campus or district contact listed on the application. Partner institutions of higher education (IHE) listed on the application will also be notified of the campus designation status.
Outcomes-Based Measures for the 24 – 25 Program Application Cycle
The refreshed ECHS Blueprint and P-TECH Blueprint were released in June 2023 and introduced the revised path to designation and updated CCRSM outcomes-based measures (OBM). To receive the designated status, programs with more than five years of operation must meet the revised OBMs.
Programs must meet OBMs for designation purposes starting in the 2025 – 2026 Program Application Cycle. Campus OBMs will not be used for designation purposes for the 2024 – 2025 Program Application Cycle.
Campuses will apply for 2025 – 2026 PAC in Fall 2024 and be notified of their designation status in Spring 2025.
- The 2024 – 2025 OBM Data Report released in Summer 2024 will be used to determine designation status for the 2025 – 2026 PAC.
- The 2024 – 2025 OBM Data Report references student OBM data from 2023 – 2024 School Year.
Reminders: Texas Covid Learning Acceleration Supports Grant (TCLAS) End Date
The TCLAS grant end date is 5/31/24. By the grant end date, all goods must be received, and all services must be rendered. Grant funds may not be used for goods or services received or rendered after 5/31/24. Grant funds may be drawn down until 9/03/24 on goods and services received on or before 5/31/24. All grant funds must be spent in the manner approved by grant guidelines by the grant end date. For grant questions related to allowable and unallowable costs, please reach out to our team at ccrsm@tea.texas.gov
The deadline for grant amendments is 03/04/2024. Grant amendments should be made if more than 25% of total TCLAS funds are being moved between spending categories. Amendments can be made through eGrants. This webpage provides guidance on how to amend an application. For further assistance on amendments, please reach out to TEAExpenditures@tea.texas.gov.
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Timely Topics |
House Bill 8 and Dual Credit Public Comment
During the 88th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 8, which focuses on Community College finance. HB 8 includes dual credit financing through the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is proposing new rules regarding the definition of dual credit (Rule §4.83), dual credit requirements (Rule §4.85), dual credit partnerships (Rule §4.84), College Connect Courses (Rule §4.85, §4.86), and the Texas Success Initiative exemptions (§4.54) to better align with House Bill 8.
The proposed changes were published in the January 26, 2024, edition of the Texas Register for a 30-day public comment period that will expire February 24, 2024. Campuses can review the proposed rules and public comment opportunity here through February 24, 2024.
House Bill 8 and FAST Program Webinar
The Texas Education Agency released 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.
Early College High School and Senate Bill 1887
During the 88th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 8, which aims to improve the transferability and applicability of college credits across institutions. SB 8 amends the definition of Early College High School (ECHS) programs in Texas Education Code (TEC) §29.908 and creates the Texas Direct Degree.
Previous statute required ECHS programs to allow students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and either an associate degree or at least 60 hours towards a baccalaureate degree. SB 1887 requires that ECHS students have the opportunity to earn either an applied or an academic associate degree. Existing ECHS programs are not required to change to their course offerings or pathway, if the ECHS is complying with the requirements that students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree.
Separately, SB 1887 creates the Texas Direct Associate Degree, which is awarded to students who complete the Texas Core Curriculum and one of the seven identified THECB fields of study. The Texas Direct degree allows students to transfer their courses as a block directly to their selected major. ECHS programs are not required to offer the Texas Direct Degree.
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College and Career Military Preparation (CCMP) Division Spotlight |
The CCRSM team is located within the TEA College and Career Military Preparation (CCMP) Division. The Division of College, Career, and Military Preparation (CCMP) works to ensure that all Texas high school students have access to high-quality pathways to career and college. Other TEA programs that fall within the CCMP Division include:
Click on the CCMP program links above to sign up for each programs’ newsletter or to learn more about the program. Below please find timely updates and announcements from CCMP work initiatives that directly impact CCRSM practice.
CASS Update: Effective Advising Framework Website
The Effective Advising Framework (EAF) provides districts with a blueprint for planning, implementing, and evaluating an individual planning system within the comprehensive school counseling program. This framework was designed as a collaborative statewide effort by representatives from education, workforce, military, and community-based organizations. Learn more about the Effective Advising Framework on the EAF website.
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