Nominations Open for 2024 Student Heroes Award
30 Years of Education Excellence: Nominations Open for 2024 Heroes for Children Award
AUSTIN, Texas – May 1, 2024 – The State Board of Education (SBOE) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Heroes for Children Award, celebrating 30 years of honoring exceptional volunteers in Texas education.
For three decades, the Heroes for Children Award has recognized remarkable individuals across Texas whose outstanding volunteer services have helped shape the futures of public school students. In 2023, honorees showcased a wide range of contributions, from organizing fundraisers and advocating for students and educators to ensuring students have the necessary tools for success.
Each year, the SBOE selects 15 people, one from each member’s district, to be recognized as heroes. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must volunteer their time, effort, service, and support to public schools and students.
Nominations close on July 12, and honorees will be celebrated at the September SBOE general meeting in Austin.
More information is available in the nomination guidelines.
Online Nomination Form
For questions and support about the program, email heroes@sboe.texas.gov or call the SBOE Support office at (512) 463-9007.
CSP Funding Opportunities and Call for Peer Reviewers
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) recently published Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program competitions in the Federal Register.
Please read below to learn about each grant opportunity. The competition webpage linked for each CSP program includes information on the pre-application technical assistance webinars, eligibility requirements, and a point of contact for each CSP competition, should you have any questions.
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The NIA for the Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools and for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (Developer Grants) (ALNs 84.282B and 84.282E) competition can be accessed here. Through this competition, the Department plans to award an estimated $5 million for new Developer grants. The deadline to submit a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 24, 2024. For more information about this competition, please visit the FY 2024 CSP Developer Grants Competitionwebpage.
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A link to the NIA for the second round of grants in FY 2024 to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants) (ALN 84.282M) competition can be found at the CSP CMO webpage. Through this competition, the Department plans to award an estimated $92 million for new CMO grants. The deadline to submit a grant application under this competition is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 27, 2024. The second round of FY 2024 CMO grants will be awarded by September 30, 2024.
Note: A charter school that that has previously been awarded a CSP subgrant may not received funds under these grants to carry out the same activities. Please review the grant information for complete eligibility requirements.
The CSP is also seeking peer reviewers for its FY 2024 competitions. If you are interested in serving as a peer reviewer for any of these FY 2024 CSP competitions, please visit the Call for Peer Reviewers webpage. Serving as a peer reviewer is a great way to gain insight into the federal funding process and use your professional experience, content knowledge, expertise, and judgment to ensure the Department is funding the most qualified grant proposals.
News from the Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs Unit
Foster Care & Education Summit 2024
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Please save the date and plan to join us for the 2nd Foster Care and Education Summit in San Angelo, TX September 26-27, 2024. The Foster Care & Education Summit is a collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Supreme Court of Texas Children's Commission. The purpose of this training is to provide guidance, resources, and best practices to assist local education agencies and child welfare organizations with addressing the educational needs and requirements of students in foster care, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (2016). Topics covered are transportation, school of origin determination, education decision-making, and other education-focused foster care content. Thank you to Education Service Center 15 and Angelo State University for hosting and assisting with the planning of the summit. This Summit will be for two days.
Save The Date: September 26-27, 2024 Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas
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May is National Foster Care Month. LEA leaders are encouraged to participate in this month and promote awareness about the education of students in foster care during this time. For resources, visit National Foster Care Month Outreach Toolkit.
FAFSA and Foster Care
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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form completed by current and prospective college students to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. The information specific to students in foster care is number 5 - Student Personal Circumstances. The question states to select "at any time since the student turned 13, they were in foster care." Please visit the FAFSA website to gain more information regarding assisting students in foster care.
Additionally, in the Transition Assistance Rule, students in substitute care must be provided with postsecondary counseling. Also, in the Foster Care & Student Success Guide, Chapter 13, foster care liaisons must ensure students in grades 11 or 12 are given information about postsecondary opportunities, including information about the higher education tuition and fees waiver
Please ensure the success of our students in foster care by supporting them in their post-secondary goals. Please see the TEA website for more information about the Financial Aid graduation requirement.
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Fee Waiver for Testing
Students in foster care may be eligible for a fee waiver for ACT or SAT testing. For the ACT fee waiver program, students who are in DFPS Managing Conservatorship may be eligible for a fee waiver. Please see your LEA school counselor to determine eligibility. The student can receive up to four fee waivers to take the ACT for free and will receive free learning resources. For SAT fee waiver, the student may receive up to two registration fees, unlimited score reports, and waived application fees at participating colleges.
School counselors, please ensure that students who are in foster care are participating in these fee waivers for academic testing opportunities within your school.
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Other Special Populations (OSP) Self-Assessment: Foster Care Program
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The Self-Assessment process is intended to assist LEA leadership teams in evaluating and improving their OSP programs. The foster care programs are monitored through the Results Driven Accountability (RDA) process. These OSP tools are available and beneficial for all LEAs. Specifically, there is an LEA Self-Assessment and related tools available that allows LEAs to self-reflect on all aspects of program implementation for McKinney-Vento, Military and Foster Care programs. Similarly, there is an LEA self-assessment rubric that assists leadership team who has previously completed the OSP self-assessment to address specific areas of continuous improvement related to RDA indicator(s) performance level(s) and the self-assessment process.
Each LEA Foster Care program should implement the practice of using OSP Self-Assessment to view their district's procedures and policies for assisting students in foster care. Please utilize the OSP Self-Assessment Rubric, OSP Self-Assessment Guide, & OSP Fillable Self-Assessment.
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This Week in Performance Reporting
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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.
2024 Campus 3-12 Enrollment List Now Available
District domain and overall ratings are based on a proportionality method to ensure the alignment of district overall ratings with campus overall ratings. This is based on the number of students enrolled in grades 3-12 at each campus receiving domain grades. District enrollments were set in October 2023 based on Texas Student Data System (TSDS) Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) October snapshot data. This list is posted on the 2024 Accountability Rating System page.
AEA Final Listing Now Available
The final AEA campus listings for both public and charter school campuses were posted on the 2024 Accountability Rating System page on April 19, 2024. Those campuses that are included in the final listing will have AEA provisions applied for 2024 accountability. Please see the Preliminary 2024 Accountability Manual for details and calculations provided for approved campuses serving at-risk students in alternative education programs.
DD Form 4 Upload Window Closing May 10th
On April 5, 2024, districts received a To The Superintendent Addressed (TSA) notification to explain the opening of the DD Form 4 collection window, available within the TEA Login (TEAL) application. The submission window for 2023 annual graduates will occur from April 5th to May 10th, 2024. Explanatory documents and a how-to video for submitting this information are also available on the Performance Reporting Resources webpage.
A “check status” button is now available in the portal for LEAs to view the status of their uploads. Additionally, LEAs will be able to review data and correct errors during the Summer 2024 CCMR Verifier window.
Districts are strongly encouraged to establish a process for collecting and securely storing the DD Form 4 for each applicable student.
College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus (CCMR OB) New Early Counts File is Now Available
TEA has published an Early CCMR OB Counts by District 2022 Graduates file on the Performance Reporting Resources webpage and the CCMR OB Early Counts Student Listing within the TEA Login (TEAL) application.
Once data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is received and processed, a Final CCMR OB Counts by District 2022 Graduates file will be published and incorporated into the Summary of Finances (SOF) reports to settle up fiscal year 2023–2024 CCMR OB funding.The CCMR OB Student Listings file will be released to districts in TEA Login (TEAL) after final CCMR OB counts are available. In addition, TEA will be adding a CCMR OB report to the Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS).
Preliminary 2024 Accountability Manual Update
The Texas Accountability Advisory Group (TAAG) met on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and reviewed the public comments and presented the feedback received to stakeholder committees to ensure that relevant concerns and suggestions were considered before submitting the final manual to rulemaking for adoption on April 24, 2024. The meeting of this TAAG presentation and minutes have been publicly posted on the 2024 Accountability Development Materials.
Friday, May 10, 2024, the Final 2024 Accountability Manual will be posted on the 2024 Accountability Manual page and will be effective as of May 14, 2024.
Upcoming Accountability Deadlines in TIDE
May 3* – Deadline to enter score codes for Grades 3-8 Math and Algebra I.
*Note: If an LEA that is eligible for the extended testing window due to weather-related school closures also needs additional time to submit score codes for Grades 3-8 Math and Algebra I, they may contact Texas Testing Support (833-601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or TexasAssessment.gov via live chat ) to request an extension. Requests for extended time to enter score codes must be received and processed prior to 5:00pm on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
May 3 – Final date to enter student information other than score codes for Accountability Reporting for all Spring STAAR assessments for all LEAs including those eligible for the extended testing window due to weather-related closures. Districts must ensure all student information, including student demographic, program enrollment, and designated supports information, is entered in TIDE by the deadline to ensure it is included in assessment reports for accountability. Changes to student information made after the deadline will not be updated in accountability reports. Please see the Calendar of Events for detailed information about TIDE data submission deadlines.
May 9 – 5:00 pm deadline for submission and processing of requests for an extension to the deadline to enter score codes for Grades 3-8 Math and Algebra I. Note: Only LEAs eligible for the extended testing window due to weather-related school closures may submit a request for extension. For more information, contact Texas Testing Support at 833-601-8821, TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com, or TexasAssessment.gov via live chat.
Important Reminder: The student groupings used for campus accountability calculations are determined by the student identification, demographic data, and scoring status information entered in TIDE by the designated due date for each assessment. All score codes are also due to be entered and verified for all eligible testers by the end of each subject-area testing window. Although some information related to score codes can be adjusted during the designated data correction window later in the year, the information must initially be entered by the deadline listed in the Student Assessment Calendar of Events. For more information on score codes, please refer to the TIDE User Guide.
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Assessment Scoring and Reporting
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For questions or assistance regarding the information in this section, 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.
Notification to Texas Public School Districts and Open-Enrollment Charter Schools with Closures Due to Recent Flooding
TEA is allowing local educational agencies (LEAs) that are unable to complete STAAR mathematics testing due to school closures from flooding this week to complete testing next week. LEAs that need to complete testing next week due to school closures must contact Cambium Assessment, Inc. All STAAR grades 3–8 mathematics and Algebra I assessments for these LEAs must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Regardless of this limited opportunity to test next week for certain LEAs, all LEAs must complete entering student information for the spring 2024 STAAR administration by 11:59 p.m. (CT) Friday, May 3. Student information, including student demographics, program enrollment, and non-embedded supports, must be entered and verified in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) for all students by this date. If district personnel make changes to the information after this date, those changes will not be included in assessment reports for accountability. Refer to the Complete Administrations section of the District and Campus Coordinator Resources for more information.
The decisions outlined in this communication are based on the state’s commitment to our districts and students, with the priority of ensuring that those LEAs impacted by the recent flooding can make educational decisions that are in the best interest of their students.
Spring 2024 STAAR Administration
STAAR Mathematics As a reminder, testing for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) grades 3–8 mathematics and Algebra I must be completed by this Friday, May 3, 2024. District testing personnel must ensure all eligible students are accounted for with a STAAR mathematics test record by 11:59 p.m. (CT) May 3, as directed below.
- Online assessments that were started will automatically default to a score code of “S” for “Score. “
- Student responses for paper administrations must be submitted and processed in the Data Entry Interface (DEI).
- Updates to score codes must be made in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) using the Appeals/Score Codes
Enter Student Information for Accountability Reporting For the spring STAAR administration, all student information, including student demographics and program enrollment, must be entered and verified in TIDE by 11:59 p.m. (CT) May 3. If district personnel make changes to the information after this date, those changes will not be included in assessment reports for accountability. Refer to the Complete Administrations section in the District and Campus Coordinator Resources for more detailed information.
Printed Student Report Cards and Labels To receive printed copies of student report cards and student labels for the spring STAAR administration, district testing personnel must request printed versions through the Score Reporting and Label Requests module in TIDE by May 3.
STAAR Early Results Video To support district and campus administrators in making student-level decisions, the Student Assessment Division has developed an additional video resource, Accessing Early STAAR Results for District and Campus Administrators. This new video is available on the Reporting Events page in the Coordinator Resources.
2024–2025 STAAR Interim Assessments STAAR Interim Assessments are optional, online assessments that align to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and help educators monitor student progress and predict performance on STAAR.
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Testing Window
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Opening Date
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Closing Date
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Content Areas
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Window 1
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October 14, 2024
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December 20, 2024
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Reading Language Arts and Mathematics
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Window 2
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October 14, 2024
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April 4, 2025
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Science and Social Studies
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Window 3
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January 21, 2025
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April 4, 2025
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Reading Language Arts and Mathematics
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District Reports Your district’s 2024 TELPAS Alternate preliminary assessment reports for accountability are posted in the Secure File Center, which can be accessed on the Testing Personnel page of the Texas Assessment website. These preliminary assessment reports include student report cards, student labels, district and campus summary reports, and reporting data files. Item-level data is not available for TELPAS Alternate. Reports posted in the Secure File Center are available for 90 days.
The 2024 TELPAS Alternate preliminary assessment results for accountability will be posted to the Family and Research Portals by May 14, 2024. District testing coordinators should refer to the Family Portal page of the District and Campus Coordinator Resources for information on helping parents access the secure Family Portal.
Data Corrections The data correction window for the 2024 TELPAS Alternate administration is April 29–May 3, 2024. Districts must resolve student information and test discrepancies and may submit score code changes for this administration during the correction window. Refer to the Data Corrections section on the Reporting Events page of the Coordinator Resources for more information on data corrections.
Changes submitted during the data correction window will be reflected in the final assessment reports for accountability provided on May 14. Any updates made after the data correction window will be included in scheduled updates but will not be reflected in final assessment reports used for accountability.
Region Reports Your region’s TELPAS Alternate preliminary assessment reports for accountability are posted in the Secure File Center. These preliminary assessment reports include summary reports and reporting data files.
State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees Each year the TEA invites groups of 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 and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is currently accepting applications from all districts to participate in item review committees in all subjects and grade levels.
If you know of any educators (including yourself!) who might be interested in participating in these review meetings, please encourage them to apply using the following link - Texas Educator Committee Application. Meetings are typically held during the spring and summer. If selected, an invite will be sent with all the logistical information.
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 (CPE) credits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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Performance Reporting Calendar
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January 24
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2023 TAPR Data Downloads Released (public web)
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February 15
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Preliminary 2024 Accountability Manual Release
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March 29
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CCMR Tracker Part I Release (TEAL)
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April 5
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Military DD Form 4 Collection Opens
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April 5
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Final 2024 Accelerated Tester Listing
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April 19
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2024 Final AEA Campus and Charter Listing (public web)
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April 23
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Pairing Window Opens
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May 3
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Pairing Window Closes
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May 10
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Military DD Form 4 Collection closes
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May 2024
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Final 2024 Accountability Manual, Appendices, and 2024 Accountability Administrator’s Guide Release
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Summer 2024
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CCMR 2024 Verifier Release (TEAL)
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Summer 2024
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Longitudinal graduation and annual dropout lists and rates (TEAL)
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Summer 2024
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2024 Campus Comparison Groups (TEAL)
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Coming Soon
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2023 A–F Refresh Parent Resources; Explanatory Materials; Videos Released
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Coming Soon
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Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Integration Advisory Committee
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Delayed
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2023 School Report Card
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Delayed
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2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TEAL); Accountability Appeals Registration Window Opens
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Delayed
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2022 What If Ratings Public Publication; 2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TXschools.gov)
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Delayed
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Preliminary 2023 Public Education Grant (PEG) List Posted
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Delayed
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2023 Appeals Resolved; Final 2023 Ratings Posted
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News from the Special Populations Team
Dyslexia Handbook Final Draft Approved
On April 12, 2024, the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved the second reading and final adoption changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 74.28 which includes The Dyslexia Handbook. The final rule and accompanying figure will be filed with the Texas Register in accordance with the typical rulemaking calendar. The agency is posting the handbook that was adopted so that the community can begin to review it. Note that this is NOT to be considered the official handbook until it is posted in the Texas Register, which will be communicated to stakeholders. View the unofficial handbook HERE.
Transition and Employment Designees (TEDs)
Resources related to requirements for TEDs were published to Texas SPED Support. The TED Guidelines were updated and the online course to meet training requirements is now available for registration. The TED for each local education agency (LEA) must complete the required training by August 31, 2024. TEDs who completed the training during school year 2021-22 or 2022-23 are not required to retake this course and may submit an assurance of prior training completion.
Statewide SPED Capacity Contracted Services Grant Opportunity
The SPED Capacity Contracted Services Grant allows for LEAs to apply for one-time funding in accordance with allowable expenditures associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for securing contracted special education staff.
The application is open to all Texas LEAs that had expenses for securing contracted special education staff. You can find additional information, including an overview, the application and timeline for applying, and informational video here. For grant application questions email contractedsvsgrant@region10.org.
American Sign Language Versions Now Available
SPEDTex now offers American Sign Language (ASL) translations (in video format) for two important special education documents:
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Restorative Discipline Practices
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Dr. Gaye Lang: Restorative Discipline Practices Statewide Director
Mary Scott: Student Discipline Specialist
Victoria Rossi: Educator Training Specialist
Restorative Discipline Practices
Dr. Gaye Lang has launched a brand-new series, Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners, a video series dedicated to empowering parents with the tools needed for effective communication and restorative practices at home. This series is designed to align home environments with the restorative approaches taught in schools, ensuring a consistent and supportive experience for children. It focuses on providing parents with resources and strategies to foster better understanding and relationships with their children, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between families and educational institutions. Watch Episode 4, which delves into the essential role of parental engagement in education, featuring Nataline Hall of Robstown ISD. This episode highlights how restorative practices facilitate meaningful connections between schools, students, and families, enhancing trust, communication, and community cohesion. It demonstrates the critical impact of involving parents and guardians in the educational process, emphasizing their importance as the first educators and key to student success.
Bring Restorative Practices (RDP) to your schools. Register for upcoming RDP trainings at RDP Training Information. Trainings fill up fast and May trainings are already full! June training dates will be available May 7th!
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Module 1:
Admin Training
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June 5, 2024
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8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
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Module 2:
Campus Coordinator (Tier 2)
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June 11, 2024
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8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
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Module 3:
Campus Coordinator (Tier 3)
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June 12, 2024
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8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
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Module 4:
Early Childhood Training
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June 4, 2024
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8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
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Module 5:
Fidelity Continuum Scale
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June 13, 2024
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8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Please submit all questions regarding Restorative Discipline Practices to rdp@tea.texas.gov.
Student Discipline
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Student Discipline Virtual Professional Development Training: The TEA Student Discipline Training registration is now offered through TEA. The training is intended for administrators and PEIMS personnel covering discipline policy, procedures, and data requirements. This is the original training in which registration was held through the ESCs. You can register by clicking the following link:
Student Discipline Professional Development Training for Administrators and PEIMS Personnel.
May training for Administrators: May 14th and May 21st.
May training for PEIMS Personnel: May 2nd
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Mental Health and Wellness Team
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Julie Wayman: Director of Mental and Behavioral Health
Tammy Gendke: Mental Health Program Coordinator
Ashton Millet: AWARE Texas Expansion Consortium State Coordinator
Jerlene Gibbs: Mental Health and Education Program Specialist
Mental Health and Wellness Team Updates
The Texas Education Agency’s Supportive Schools Division and our Project AWARE Texas partners will be hosting a series of monthly webinars to highlight resources and best practice strategies on timely and relevant safe and supportive schools topics. Topics will include school mental health, substance abuse prevention, school discipline, early mental health interventions, approaches to whole child student support, and building community partnerships to increase capacity.
You can join a webinar every 2nd Thursday of the month from 11:00 am CST to 12:30 pm CST from December until June. CPE credits will be made available to those who attend the full live session.
Register Below for Upcoming webinar sessions:
Elevating Mental Health & Wellness- May 9th, 2024
Supporting the Mental Health of Special Populations- June 13th, 2024
Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Webinar Series
Internet & Social Media Safety Awareness
May 3, 2024
10:30-11:30 am CST
Link to Register https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZVASqBMkT4yTRGUDvsUDlg
Join the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and Crime Stoppers of Houston as they share the latest trends of how the internet and social media play in human trafficking of school-aged children and leave with resources and information to prevent and combat this issue.
Would you like to provide feedback about your use of the Texas School Mental Health Toolkit?
Project AWARE partners with technical support from the Westat at the Region 14 Comprehensive Center would like to learn more about your use of the Texas School Mental Health Toolkit by completing the user feedback form. Click here to complete the user feedback form. To access the Texas School Mental Health Toolkit visit: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/school-mental-health-toolkit/ .
TEA’s Mental Health Resources
General School Mental Health Resources: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/
Mental Health Resources Database: https://schoolmentalhealthtxdatabase.org/
Mental Health Best Practice Repository: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/best-practices/
Contact the Mental Health and Wellness Team: mentalandbehavioralheatlh@tea.texas.gov
Student Supports Team
Hank Weikert: Director of Student Supports Implementation
Carroll Sadler: Community Partnerships Specialist
Sarah McCaslin: Stronger Connections Grant Specialist
Student Supports Team Updates
Community Partnerships
Premont ISD is the Community Partnerships Grant spotlight district for the month of May. Premont ISD is a small district in Region 2 with fewer than 800 students pre-k through 12th grade. The Community Partnerships Grant helped Premont ISD realize their most recent initiative, Baby University.
The Premont community was without a childcare facility until the opening of Baby U last fall. This new program provides a nurturing and learning environment for children from 12 months to 3 years of age. The program is just about at capacity, and they are looking to expand next year. Currently, the service is free for families, but they will be adding a tuition-based model to assist with the program’s sustainability. They have partnered with the Texas Workforce which will provide tuition assistance to families who qualify.
Premont ISD collaborates with Crossroads Adult Education and Literacy to provide educational opportunities to the community. Classes are taught online and in-person. Another service available to the community is the use of the school weight room and track during evening hours and on some holidays. A district employee is available during the hours to monitor activities and help participants. This service has been embraced by the community with many participants regularly attending.
The district started an art-therapy program this year for middle school students and took a group of high school girls to the Women in Industry conference which exposed them to careers in carpentry and welding, among others. The district started a Community Advisory Committee recently and the meetings have been well attended and productive. Local businesses are very supportive of the district and often supply goods for events.
Safe and Supportive School Program
The overarching goal of the Safe and Supportive School Program (SSSP) is to provide students with safe and supportive learning environments by improving school climate, supporting the behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs of students through a multitiered system of supports, and through the behavioral threat assessment process. School systems should develop strategies to ensure that staff are trained in these elements of the SSSP. SSSP teams are required to report their activities annually for each of the campuses they serve. The data reporting window for the 2023-2024 school year is June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. SSSP teams can prepare for data reporting by reviewing the data reporting questions for the 2023-2024 school year. The TEA has also provided a data collection instrument that will assist SSSP team in collecting the required data. Questions regarding the Safe and Supportive School Program and SSSP data reporting can be addressed to safeandsupportiveschoolprogram@tea.texas.gov.
Stronger Connections
The Texas Center for Student Supports finished up their April Roadshow to all 20 regional ESCs in Texas! The TCSS team met with regional ESC Stronger Connections leads and representatives from the 99 Stronger Connections Grant awardees to discuss the Student Support Framework and other grant goals. Here is some of the feedback they received this month:
- “I appreciated the wealth of knowledge and experience in the SCG groups and the dedicated work at the region and state level.”
- “I learned that this is going to be a long process, but the outcome will be worth it.”
- I learned the big picture of the Stronger Connections grant. I am excited to see the impact of the grant on our students, families, and community.”
The TEA Stronger Connections team had the opportunity to share with other states how Texas is using its $95,000,000 grant award to support mental and behavioral health, physical wellbeing, student and staff safety, and supportive discipline. The picture below is part of the TEA SCG team with representatives of the Title IV Part A Center in Washington DC. For more information on Stronger Connections, please reach out to Sarah McCaslin.
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Coming up...
- LAST RDP Trainings for the 2023-2024 school year!
- Chapter 37 Student Discipline Training for Admin and PEIMS personnel
- Supporting the Mental Health of Special Populations Webinar
- And more!
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News from the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration
Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division Training Opportunities
Special Education Consolidated (Federal) Grant Application: Focus on Eligibility Standard and Random Data Validation Process
TEA staff will focus on the Special Education Consolidated (Federal) BS6016 Fiscal Compliance Requirement related to the IDEA-B LEA Maintenance of Effort Eligibility Standard and the random data validation process.
Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division WorkApp
The Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division will be launching a WorkApp in June 2024. Within the WorkApp, LEAs and ESCs will be able to access information and resources related to the post award compliance application reviews and information about the IDEA-B LEA Maintenance of Effort eligibility standard random data validations.
Register Below!
The training sessions will be conducted through video conference webinars. Register for each session in advance by clicking on the session title below. These trainings will be recorded and posted on the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division's Post Award Compliance webpage.
For additional information on the trainings, email pac@tea.texas.gov.
Redesign of Program Monitoring Process and Feedback Session
The Federal Program Compliance Division is proposing a redesign of the current programmatic compliance monitoring process for the federal programs administered in the division, known as the Random Validation monitoring process. This virtual session will provide an overview of the redesign, which will be piloted in 2024-2025, and is intended to solicit feedback from LEA and ESC staff administering the following federal programs.
- Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs);
- Title I, Part C (Education of Migratory Children);
- Title I, Part D (Prevention and Intervention for Delinquent, Neglected, and At-Risk Youth);
- Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction);
- Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment);
- Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 (Rural and Low-Income Schools Program);
- Ed-Flex;
- Equitable Services to Private Non-Profit Schools (PNP);
- Supplement, Not Supplant; and
- Unsafe School Choice Option.
Registration and Session Information
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 1:30 pm CST - 3:30 pm CST
Please register by accessing the following link: https://txr20.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=102272.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact the Federal Program Compliance Division at ESSAsupport@TEA.Texas.gov.
For questions or assistance with registration, please contact the Statewide Title I, Part A Capacity Building Initiative at Education Service Center, Region 20 at TICB@esc20.net.
News from the Curriculum Standards Team
English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Review
Last year, TEA began convening English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) review work groups to provide recommendations for revisions to a preliminary draft of revised ELPS. The 2023-2024 ELPS review work group recommendations for revisions to the ELPS are currently available for review and feedback on the English Language Proficiency Standards Review web page.
TEA is collecting feedback on the draft recommendations through an online survey. The ELPS Draft Recommendations Feedback Survey is available at https://bit.ly/ELPS-Survey.
Feedback from educators is an important part of the SBOE’s review and revision process for the state curriculum standards. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested. The work groups’ draft recommendations for revision to the ELPS are scheduled to be presented to the SBOE for first reading and filing authorization at its June 2024 meeting (June 25 – 28, 2024).
Texas STEM Announcements
Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory Application Window is Open
Through a partnership between the Texas Education Agency and Learning Undefeated, the Texas Mobile STEM Lab will provide STEM engagement opportunities for students during the 2024–2025 school year. Using a custom-outfitted STEM learning space, the mobile lab offers engaging, hands-on educational experiences for kindergarten through grade 8 students and teachers. The application window is April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. All Texas public schools that offer classes for kindergarten through grade 8 are eligible to register for a free visit during the 2023–2024 school year. At least one school district from each educational region will receive a visit. Click the video for more information.
Science TEKS Guide
The Science TEKS Guide will launch in May to provide science educators across the state with a common understanding of the new science standards, including connections between recurring themes and concepts and science content standards. TEA will soon announce summer webinars and office hours to support educators in navigating the TEKS Guide and using the components effectively. Stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming TEA Kindergarten–12 STEM Professional Development Dates:
Leadership Training
This immersive professional development prepares campus administrators to shape, support, and sustain STEM initiatives within their district or campus. Participants will learn by doing, engaging directly in the instructional approaches most critical to the STEM endeavor: project-based learning, design-based challenges, and computational thinking. Working backward from a model vision for STEM education, the session culminates with leaders collaboratively planning for real-life implementation of STEM programming.
Teacher Training
This professional development prepares teachers for successful implementation of STEM instruction in their classrooms by immersing teachers directly in the role of STEM learner, engaging first-hand in high-impact STEM practices such as project-based learning, design-based challenges, and computational thinking. To better understand the role STEM plays in education, educators will make connections between the Texas STEM framework, STEM fluency skills, and contemporary workforce demands. Most importantly, educators will begin embedding these STEM strategies into what matters most—their daily work with students.
See the TEA STEM web page to connect to the STEM Lead at your regional education service center. TEA STEM Web Page
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Upcoming Events
2024–2025 Texas Mobile STEM Lab Application Window
April 1–May 31, 2024
May Mobile STEM Lab Visits:
Region 1
Edinburg CISD
Pharr San Juan Alamo ISD
Region 13
San Marcos ISD
Science TEKS Guide Launch:
May 2024
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Social Studies Newsletter
Draft Recommendations for Proposed New English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Available
Last year, TEA began convening English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) review work groups to provide recommendations for revisions to a preliminary draft of revised ELPS. The 2023-2024 ELPS review work group recommendations for revisions to the ELPS are currently available for review and feedback on the English Language Proficiency Standards Review web page.
TEA is collecting feedback on the draft recommendations through an online survey. The ELPS Draft Recommendations Feedback Survey is available at https://bit.ly/ELPS-Survey.
Feedback from educators is an important part of the SBOE’s review and revision process for the state curriculum standards. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested. The work groups’ draft recommendations for revision to the ELPS are scheduled to be presented to the SBOE for first reading and filing authorization at its June 2024 meeting (June 25 – 28, 2024).
May Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: Social Studies TEKS Crosswalks for the 2024-2025 School Year
Target Audience: Social Studies Stakeholders—Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations
Session Description: The TEA social studies team will provide an overview of the TEKS crosswalk documents that show the differences between the 2018 TEKS and the 2022 TEKS that are to be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. The TEA social studies team will describe the different parts of the crosswalks and explain how the crosswalks support understanding of the TEKS revisions. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage in questions and discussion with members of the TEA social studies team.
Date & Times Wednesday, May 15th @ 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Registration Link Wednesday, May 15th @ 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Registration Link
The crosswalks for each grade level/course can be found in the “Social Studies TEKS to Be Implemented in 2024-2025” section of the TEA Social Studies Web Page.
June Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: Office Hours Session for Social Studies TEKS Crosswalks for the 2024-2025 School Year
Target Audience: Social Studies Stakeholders- Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists, Parents, Professional Organizations
Session Description: The TEA social studies team will be available for questions and discussion focused on the social studies TEKS being implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. This session will not have a formal TEA presentation and participants will be able to come and go as their schedule permits.
Date & Times: Tuesday, June 11th @ 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Link Wednesday, June 12th @ 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Registration Link
July Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
Topic: Clarifying the Social Studies TEKS Being Implemented in the 2024-2025 School Year
Target Audience: Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, District Administrators, Campus Administrators, Education Service Center Specialists
Session Description: The TEA social studies team will provide a closer look at the new student expectations to be implemented in the upcoming school year. Each of the three sessions is focused on one specific grade-level band.
Dates & Times: Grades K-5: Monday, July 15th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration Link Grades 6-8: Tuesday, July 16th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration Link Grades 9-12: Wednesday, July 17th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration Link
Social Studies Instructional Materials Update
The Substitutions and Content Updates webpage has been updated with a request from Cengage Learning to update content in their adopted social studies grade 6 material.
The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed content changes. Please submit an Instructional Materials help desk ticket if you need assistance.
Social Studies Timely Topic:
Secondary Social Studies Curriculum Requirements
To support Texas social studies educators and stakeholders, the social studies newsletter often highlights a question and response focused on a timely social studies topic. This edition’s timely topic focuses on the required secondary social studies course offerings, request for reduction in curriculum offerings, and social studies graduation requirements.
Required Secondary Social Studies Course Offerings
State Board of Education (SBOE) rules in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.3, Description of a Required Secondary Curriculum, require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer and maintain evidence that students have the opportunity to take each of the following courses:
- World Geography Studies,
- World History Studies,
- United States History Studies Since 1877,
- United States Government,
- Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits,
- Personal Financial Literacy and Economics, and
- Personal Financial Literacy (an elective course not meeting social studies graduation requirements).
Request For Reduction in Required Curriculum
Students may successfully complete either of the two following courses to satisfy the half-credit economics requirement for high school graduation:
- Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits
- Personal Financial Literacy and Economics
The requirement to offer both courses that satisfy the half-credit economics requirement for graduation may be reduced to one by the commissioner of education upon application of a school district with a total, district-wide high school enrollment of less than 500 students.
Districts seeking approval of the reduction must complete the Request for Reduction in Required Curriculum Course Offerings form and return the form to the Curriculum Help Desk.
Social Studies Graduation Requirements
As specified in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.12, a student must earn 3 credits in social studies: one credit for United States History Studies Since 1877, one credit for either World History Studies or World Geography Studies, one-half credit for United States Government, and one-half credit for either Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits or Personal Financial Literacy and Economics.
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Summer Professional Development Opportunities Across Texas
Humanities Texas Institutes and Workshops
This summer 2024, Humanities Texas will hold in-person and online programs for classroom teachers covering topics in U.S. history, government, Texas history, and English language arts. The institutes are free to teachers and their schools. In-person participants may receive a stipend as well as continuing professional education (CPE) credit and a wealth of curricular materials. Teachers travelling to an institute will be reimbursed for approved travel costs up to $300.
This summer’s topics will be:
- The Cold War: History, Literature, and Culture • Teaching the Literatures of Texas • Teaching Evidence-Based Reading Practices at the Secondary Level • The New Nation: America, 1800–1860
To learn more and to apply to participate, please see the Humanities Texas Upcoming Institutes web page.
Texas Law-Related Education Professional Development Opportunities
The Law-Related Education (LRE) Department of the State Bar of Texas serves as a catalyst to advance law-related and civic education programs throughout the state. They offer both in-person and virtual professional development opportunities. Dates, locations, and registration information for these free events can be found on their website.
Texas State Historic Sites Youth Summer Camps Blend Education and Adventure
This summer, students can embark on a historic journey through time with Youth Summer Camps at the Texas Historical Commission’s state historic sites Youth Summer Camps at the Texas Historical Commission’s state historic sites. Immerse your young historians in a unique blend of education and adventure, where the past comes to life.
The camps offer hands-on experience, allowing campers to step back in time and discover the rich heritage of Texas. Each historic site becomes a classroom, fostering a deep appreciation for our state's unique history.
Explore the descriptions of the 25 camps listed on the Texas Historical Commission website and let the adventure begin! Costs vary per location.
Spanish Curriculum Standards Update
English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Review
Last year, TEA began convening English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) review work groups to provide recommendations for revisions to a preliminary draft of revised ELPS. The 2023-2024 ELPS review work group recommendations for revisions to the ELPS are currently available for review and feedback on the English Language Proficiency Standards Review web page.
TEA is collecting feedback on the draft recommendations through an online survey. The ELPS Draft Recommendations Feedback Survey is available at https://bit.ly/ELPS-Survey.
Feedback from educators is an important part of the SBOE’s review and revision process for the state curriculum standards. Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested. The work groups’ draft recommendations for revision to the ELPS are scheduled to be presented to the SBOE for first reading and filing authorization at its June 2024 meeting (June 25 – 28, 2024).
Past To the Administrator Addressed Correspondence
The following new Texas Education Agency Correspondence has been posted at the TEA website:
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May 02, 2024
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Public Release of SPP/APR LEA Reports Published on the TEA Website |
Special Populations Strategic Supports and Reporting |
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April 25, 2024
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Tax Year 2024 Maximum Compressed Tax Rates |
School Finance |
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April 18, 2024
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Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments |
School Safety and Security |
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April 18, 2024
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Highest Ranking Graduate |
College Career and Military Preparation
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April 18, 2024
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Process for Certification of 2024–2025 Indirect Cost Rates for Independent School Districts (ISDs) Only |
Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting |
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April 11, 2024
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SPP/APR Regional and Statewide Public Reports Published on TEA Website (FFY 2022) |
Special Populations Strategic Supports and Reporting |
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April 11, 2024
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Financial Aid Graduation Requirement and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Updates |
College Career and Military Preparation
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April 11, 2024
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College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus (CCMR OB) Funding Timeline and New Early Counts File
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Performance Reporting
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April 04, 2024
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Travel Reimbursement Rates |
Grant Compliance and Administration |
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April 04, 2024
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Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Survey |
Student Supports |
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