English Language Arts Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to the TEA English language arts newsletter.
Today's newsletter provides information related to the following topics:
- Celebrate National Reading Month
- Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) Reviewers
- 2024-2026 Interactive Online Learning Grant, Cycle 1
- Apply for Assessment Educator Committees
- Texas Assessment Research Portal
- State Board of Education Meeting, April 9-12
- Updated Innovative Course Application Timeline
- The Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Needs
- TEA Engagement Opportunities
National Reading Month is celebrated every year in March and was created to emphasize the importance of reading across the United States. National Reading Month is an opportunity to encourage reading and foster a love of books for parents, caregivers, educators, and students alike.
What are some activities that you can enjoy during national reading month?
- Visit a local bookstore
- Read a print or audio book
- Start a book club
- Donate used books
- Volunteer at your local library
Celebrate National Reading Month by spending some quality time with a book today!
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We are now accepting applications for the upcoming IMRA review. Anyone with relevant content expertise for K–5 English and Spanish language arts and reading, K–3 English and Spanish phonics, or K–12 mathematics is encouraged to apply. This work includes a competitive stipend and reimbursement for any travel expenses. Learn more about IMRA, the review cycle, and the available roles through an information session. (Note: You can read more about the opportunity in the 02/15/2024 To the Administrator Addressed correspondence.) Fill out a registration form to join a meeting on one of these dates:
- March 20
- April 3
- April 17
- May 1
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing a competitive grant opportunity to award funding to support the implementation of an effective cross-curricular interactive online learning model(s) in middle school and/or high school for instruction in English language arts and U.S. history and/or Texas history.
All school districts and open enrollment charter schools have the opportunity to apply for funding to support the implementation of an interactive online learning model(s) in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
The 2024-2026 Interactive Online Learning Grant, Cycle 1 application is available on the TEA Grants Opportunities web page.
Key Dates
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Date
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Timeline Events
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March 5, 2024
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Informal Discretionary Competition (IDC) application available window opens
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March 12, 2024
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Last day to submit FAQs to TEA contact person
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April 4, 2024
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IDC application due by 11:59 p.m. (CST)
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May 16, 2024
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Anticipated award announcement
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May 17, 2024
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Beginning date of grant (if selected for funding)
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August 1, 2025
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Status report due
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February 2, 2026
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Final report due
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April 30, 2026
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Ending date of grant (if selected for funding)
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Program Contact
If you have any questions, please email Eric Fredrickson at eric.fredrickson@tea.texas.gov. All questions received will be answered through a separate frequently asked questions document and posted to the TEA Grants Opportunities web page on March 21, 2024.
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.
The Texas Assessment Research Portal is a public portal designed for users to generate reports for summary state assessment data. Data can be viewed and compared by state, region, district, or campus, and further broken down by demographic groups. The portal can be accessed with a desktop, laptop, or tablet. It is not optimized for mobile phones. |
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The next meeting of the SBOE will occur April 9-12, 2024. An agenda is published prior to each meeting. The TEA provides meeting webcasts for people interested in watching from a computer or device. Archived webcasts are also available.
To benefit both innovative course applicants and LEAs (local education agencies) 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 2025-2026 application cycle for innovative courses opened on February 26, 2024. The complete innovative course application timeline is available on the TEA innovative courses webpage.
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.
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TEA is always looking for ways to connect with our partners in the field!
From site visits, to review opportunities, to focus groups, there are numerous ways to connect with TEA and support the field of education. If you are interested in participating in engagement opportunities, sign up here.
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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