As the school year ends and we begin the summer break, know that we are here to support you with any questions or concerns you may have, along with all your processing needs. We know the valuable work you do in the summer as you transition to a new school year, and we have several opportunities to share news and information.
Please mark your calendars for the July Operator Council meetings at the dates and times noted above. I also encourage you to drop into our Portfolio Coordinator Office Hour on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00 pm to ask questions or just say hello.
If you have travel plans this summer, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable time.
As always, you can email, call, or text me with any questions or concerns.
- Marian
UPDATES FROM THE AUTHORIZING DIVISION
Portfolio Coordinator Assignment Updates
In order to provide more effective support to our charters, we have made reassignments in charter assignments. Please note who will be your primary support below. Of course, you are always welcome to contact any member of the team if you have an immediate concern:
E-L charter schools; Harmony Public Schools, KIPP Texas Public Schools, BASIS Texas, School of Science and Technology, School of Science and Technology Discovery
Sp-Z schools; Great Hearts Texas, International Leadership of Texas, Uplift Education
Natalie Elliott, Interim Portfolio Manager
Natalie will be serving as the interim manager for the Charter Portfolio team. Natalie is also the Director of Resources and Support in the Division of Charter School Authorizing and can also answer questions about CSP grants, SB 1882 partnerships, and the Texas Charter School Incubator.
You can reach Natalie at 512-463-9808 and natalie.elliott@tea.texas.gov
AskTED Updates
Remember that the All-In-One form can also be used to do the following:
Request a campus number for a new campus
Verify information about a new campus or site
Update governance information, including superintendent and governance board member changes
Update other charter information that does not require an amendment
Because the information in AskTED is used by the agency as the source of contact information for staff that are in various roles, it’s vital that this information is up to date. In addition, it’s important for you to check to see that the information is correct (name spelled correctly, correct email address) so staff contacts don’t miss important communications from the agency.
When you send an AskTED update using the All-In-One form, you should expect that the information will be updated in AskTED by the end of the next business day. After that time, please check to verify that the information is updated correctly. If you notice that the information is not correct, please reach out directly to your school’s portfolio coordinator.
Please note that some AskTED roles are required by statute for every Texas LEA, including:
Cybersecurity Coordinator
Foster Care Liaison
Homeless Liaison
Transition & Employment Designee
In addition, there can only be one individual assigned to each campus principal role (assistant principals are not captured in AskTED), and there can only be one individual assigned to the superintendent role as well as the testing coordinator role at the LEA level. Most other roles, including PEIMS coordinator,may have more than one individual assigned.
Superintendent Changes
Please use the All-In-One Form to submit Superintendent changes. To process the change, we must have a board resolution, agenda, or meeting minutes that approve the change.
Amendment and Renewal Update
In order to continue to make thoughtful amendment and renewal decisions, TEA has filed an emergency rule to allow the agency to consider scale scores for determining academically acceptable performance when ratings are not available.
Texas Education Agency filed 19 TAC 100.1020 on an emergency basis on Monday, February 5th. The rule goes into effect immediately and remains in effect for 120 days. The details of the rule are included below.
The purpose of this rule is to allow TEA to review and verify 2023 scale scores internally before granting or denying 2024 amendments or making 2024 renewal determinations.
If a school has questions regarding expedited expansion or high-quality designation amendments, please reach out to your portfolio coordinator in the Division of Authorizing.
Sp-Z schools; Great Hearts Texas, International Leadership of Texas, Uplift Education
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts on an emergency basis new §100.1020, concerning determination of academic accountability. The new section implements the requirements of Texas Education Code (TEC), §12.1141, Renewal of Charter; Denial of Renewal; Expiration, which requires the commissioner to adopt a procedure for renewal, denial of renewal, or expiration of a charter for an open-enrollment charter school at the end of the term of the charter; and TEC, §12.114, Revision, which requires the commissioner to provide to the charter holder written notice of approval or disapproval of an expansion amendment not later than the 60th day after the date that a charter holder submits a completed request for approval for an expansion amendment.
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis to take effect immediately. As a result of a court order enjoining the commissioner of education from issuing A-F academic accountability ratings for the 2022-2023 school year, TEA, pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2001.034, is adopting this emergency rule on fewer than 30 days' notice in order to comply with requirements of state law found in TEC, Chapter 12, and its associated rules.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The new section is adopted under Texas Education Code (TEC), §12.114, which requires the commissioner to provide to the charter holder written notice of approval or disapproval of an expansion amendment not later than the 60th day after the date that a charter holder submits a completed request for approval for an expansion amendment; and §12.1141, which requires the commissioner to adopt a procedure for renewal, denial of renewal, or expiration of a charter for an open-enrollment charter school at the end of the term of the charter.
CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE. The new section implements Texas Education Code, §12.114 and 12.1141.
§100.1020. Determination of Academic Accountability.
If academic ratings are not issued for any reason, scaled scores may be used to determine "academically acceptable" and "academically unacceptable" performance.
New Schools Team Update
All proposed charter school applicants will appear before the State Board of Education (SBOE) in June 2024. The exact date and time will be announced soon. You can access the SBOE calendar and video streams here: Live and Archived Broadcasts | State Board of Education (texas.gov)
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.
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.
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 Competition webpage.
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 receive 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.
TEA Superintendent Call Debrief: May 16, 2024
Superintendents,
Below is a summary debrief of the TEA SuperintendentCall that took place on May 16, 2024:
Timeline and Resources deck includes Spring ’24 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) and grades 3-8 reporting timelines with upcoming dates for Early Results for local school leaders in Centralized Report System (CRS) on May 22nd for EOC and May 30th for 3-8.
The simplest way to provide access to all families is to integrate TEA’s family portal access links into a school system’s local parent portal by enabling Single Sign-On.
Please reach out to the TEA Assessment Division for more information (Student Assessment – TEA).
Log In & Learn More Toolkit
2024 Log In & Learn More Toolkitis ready and provides school leaders with optional templates and a suite of customizable resources to use to communicate with families on how and when to access their child’s STAAR scores.
CCMR Outcomes Bonus Funding Timelines and New Early Counts
For questions regarding CCMR OB criteria and questions about allowable and strategic uses of OB funding, please contact the College, Career, and Military Preparation Division at (512) 936-6060 or ccmp@tea.texas.gov.
For questions regarding the early counts file, please contact the Performance Reporting Division at performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.
For questions regarding funding, please contact the State Funding Division at (512) 463-9238 or sfinance@tea.texas.gov.
For additional questions related to these updates, please contact TEA.
Next Call: Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 3:00 PM
NOTE: This is changed to the 4th Thursday of the month for the June call.
Superintendents, to receive monthly call reminders via email, please update your information via AskTed.
Attention District Leaders and Testing Coordinators
To support your communications to families, the Texas Education Agency is providing you with a Log In & Learn More toolkit of optional resources to share with parents and families to help them access and use the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) results as a way to measure their child's learning progress.
how families can access STAAR results through the Texas Assessment website Family Portal or through their district’s family portal,
how families can review detailed information for each test question, identifying their child’s strengths as well as areas where the student may need additional support and
how families can use their child’s STAAR results and easy-to-use resources to help their child focus on the skills they most need help with and can work on at home.
Differentiated resources are available for:
STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessment results, which will be available to families on June 7, 2024
STAAR Grades 3–8 assessment results, which will be available to families on June 14, 2024
You can now access these 2024 resources in English on our Log In & Learn More toolkit webpage. Spanish translations are coming soon and will be added to the webpage when available. We hope these tools are helpful as you develop your own district communications to share with parents and families.
Thank you for all you do for students.
News from 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.
Final 2024 Accountability Manual Now Available
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, a To The Administrator Addressed (TAA) was released to inform school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (school systems) about the publication of the final rule adopting the 2024 Accountability Manual.
The administrative rule adoption process for Chapters 1–12 of the 2024 Accountability Manual is complete. The final 2024 Accountability Manual, filed on Wednesday, April 24th, is now published on the 2024 Accountability Manual webpage and will become effective on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
College, Career, or Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus (CCMR OB) Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS) Available May 13, 2024
TEA will publish the 2020-21 CCMR Outcomes Bonus (OB) Report to the Texas Performance Reporting System (TPRS) on Monday, May 13, 2024. The report will be published under the Postsecondary Outcomes section of TPRS, along with the updated TPRS glossary. Additional information on CCMR OB is available on the Performance Reporting Resources page.
If you have questions regarding CCMR OB criteria or student listings, contact TEA’s Performance Reporting Division at (512) 463-9704 or performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.
For questions regarding funding, contact the State Funding Division at (512) 463-9238 or sfinance@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 in membership in grades 3-12 at each campus receiving domain grades. District memberships 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.
FAQ
What is the difference between membership and enrollment?
Membership is slightly different from enrollment. Membership does not include those students who are served in the district for fewer than two hours per day. A student is in membership in the district if: the student is enrolled in the district, and is either scheduled to attend at least two hours of instruction each school day or participates in an alternative attendance accounting program. Enrollment includes students reported as enrolled as of the TSDS PEIMS October snapshot date.
For the purpose of determining district ratings using campus proportionality, only campus membership counts for grades 3-12, excluding membership counts from Not Rated and paired campuses, are applied to each domain. Campuses evaluated under alternative education accountability (AEA) are included in the grades 3-12 campus membership counts used to determine campus proportionality.
Beginning May 28, testing personnel may create test sessions for the June 2024 administration in the Test Administrator Interface of the Test Delivery System (TDS). For instructions on how to create a test session, refer to the TDS User Guide or the How to Create Test Sessions training video in the Coordinator Resources.
Setting Eligibility Fields
District testing personnel must set first-time testers’ June End of Course Eligibility fields to “Yes” in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE). For retesters who are registered in TIDE, Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI) will mark the retester flag and set the June end-of-course eligibility value by May 30. District personnel may use the Additional Student Fields template to update students’ June End of Course Eligibility fields in TIDE.
District personnel must indicate student eligibility for a special paper administration of STAAR and ensure students are appropriately registered in TIDE by May 30 to receive sufficient paper materials in the initial order shipment. Initial order shipments will arrive in districts by June 17. District personnel may place additional orders June 13–24 for students whose eligibility for paper testing is updated after May 30.
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 CommitteeApplication. 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.
Performance Reporting Calendar
January 24
2023 TAPR Data Downloads Released (public web)
February 15
Preliminary 2024 Accountability Manual Release
March 29
CCMR Tracker Part I Release (TEAL)
April 5
Military DD Form 4 Collection Opens
April 5
Final 2024 Accelerated Tester Listing
April 19
2024 Final AEA Campus and Charter Listing (public web)
April 23
Pairing Window Opens
May 3
Pairing Window Closes
May 9
Final 2024 Accountability Manual, Appendices
May 10
Military DD Form 4 Collection closes
May 2024
2024 Accountability Administrator’s Guide Release
Summer 2024
CCMR 2024 Verifier Release (TEAL)
Summer 2024
Longitudinal graduation and annual dropout lists and rates (TEAL)
Summer 2024
2024 Campus Comparison Groups (TEAL)
Coming Soon
2023 A–F Refresh Parent Resources; Explanatory Materials; Videos Released
2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TEAL); Accountability Appeals Registration Window Opens
Delayed
2022 What If Ratings Public Publication; 2023 Accountability Ratings Published (TXschools.gov)
Delayed
Preliminary 2023 Public Education Grant (PEG) List Posted
Delayed
2023 Appeals Resolved; Final 2023 Ratings Posted
News from the Texas Records Exchange Support Team
TREx Users
The retention windows and email notifications in TREx are currently set to normal settings-this means that records and requests are purged from TREx after 10 working days (14 calendar days).
TEA will be pausing the retention windows to allow users additional time to fulfill requests and download records received once they return from the summer break period.
TREx operations will be paused beginning on June 7, 2024.
TREx users are urged to fulfill and/or download all records on or before that date. The pause will remain in effect during Summer Break, however, the expectation of fulfilling requests during the standard 10 working day, 14 Calendar day window is still in effect.
If you have any questions, you may enter a TIMS ticket by clicking this icon from the TREx application or send an email to: trex@tea.texas.gov
News from the Special Populations Team
Foster Care and Education Summit
In partnership with The Texas Education Agency, The Children's Commission and The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will conduct the Foster Care and Education Summit. This training aims to provide guidance, resource tips, and tools to assist local education agencies and child welfare organizations with addressing the educational needs and requirements of students in foster care, as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Registration is now open. Please use this registration link or the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot for the summit. We are excited to share new information with you. This summit will be for two days. There will be intentional time for learning new skills and strategies for working with students in foster care.
Thank you to Education Service Center 15 and Angelo State University for hosting and assisting with the planning of the summit.
The Nonpublic Summer Workshop is a free, annual virtual workshop designed for LEA and ESC personnel who support students in nonpublic placements and/or students eligible for high cost funds. This year's workshop will take place on Wednesday, July 24th. For more information and to sign up for future communications about the event, please see the Nonpublic Summer Workshop flyer.
Texas SPED Support Website
The Texas SPED Support website houses a robust collection of free resources and professional development for administrators, educators, and support staff who work with students receiving special education services. But did you know this website also makes available the contact information of regional Education Service Center (ESC) staff who have expertise in various special education topics, such as Assistive Technology, Evaluation, Autism, Dyslexia, and more? This is a great feature that connects you with an expert who can answer your questions, provide technical assistance, or offer training and coaching to meet your needs! Simply choose your topic and region from the drop-down list on the Contacts page, hit apply, and then reach out by phone or email to the contact(s) listed on the website. While you peruse all that Texas SPED Support has to offer, register for an account to start bookmarking the resources you use most often, and Sign up for SPED Updates to get real-time email announcements about upcoming events and newly added resources.
Restorative Discipline Practices Training
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.
Module 1:
Admin Training
June 5, 2024
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Module 2:
Campus Coordinator (Tier 2)
June 11, 2024
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Module 3:
Campus Coordinator (Tier 3)
June 12, 2024
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Module 4:
Early Childhood Training
June 4, 2024
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Module 5:
Fidelity Continuum Scale
June 13, 2024
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Please submit all questions regarding Restorative Discipline Practices to rdp@tea.texas.gov.
News from the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration
Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division
2024–2025 Planning Amounts for ESSA Consolidated, and Special Education Consolidated (Federal) Available
Planning amounts for local educational agencies (LEAs) for grant programs included in the 2024–2025 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application, and the 2024–2025 Special Education Consolidated (Federal) eGrants applications are now available and can be viewed on the TEA entitlements webpage.
Please note that these amounts are estimates based on the latest available information, including funding from US Department of Education (USDE) budget tables.
Grant Calculation Methodologies and Fluctuations in Entitlements
TEA is required to calculate federal grant entitlements (allocations) in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and/or approved State plans. Each year, TEA uses updated data to calculate allocations which can result in increases and decreases for LEAs. Fluctuations in allocations are more likely to occur for grant programs where statute requires the use of US Census Bureau poverty and population data as the primary data source, which is the case for grants awarded under Title I, Part A, Title II, Part A, and Perkins V.
Please review the ESSA Funding Reference Manual and the IDEA-B Funding Reference Manual, for an overview of the process for calculating grant programs included in the 2024–2025 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application, and the 2024–2025 Special Education Consolidated (Federal) eGrants applications.
For questions related to planning amounts, please email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting (FFCR) Division at entitlements@tea.texas.gov.
SC5003 – Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule
The SC5003 – Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule is now open in eGrants. LEAs eligible to apply for one or more of the following grants must first complete the SC5003 – Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule:
2024–2025 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant Application
2024–2025 Perkins V: Strengthening Career & Technical Education for the 21st Century and Institutions
2024–2025 Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (Federal)
2024–2025 Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (State)
The SC5003 must be submitted to access these grant applications once they are available. Only one SC5003 per LEA is available to submit. LEAs must collaborate with appropriate LEA staff to coordinate their responses on the SC5003.
To access the SC5003, log into TEAL and select eGrants as the application. Once in eGrants, click on Special Collections on the menu bar.
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School Year 2022–2023 (Fiscal Year 2023) Final IDEA-B LEA MOE Compliance Reviews Available
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has posted final Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (IDEA-B) local educational agency (LEA) maintenance of effort (MOE) compliance reviews for school year 2022–2023 (fiscal year 2023) in the GFFC Reports and Data Collections secure application. Please follow these steps to find your final review:
From the Report Title drop-down menu, select “IDEA-B LEA MOE Compliance Review.”
From the School Year drop-down menu, select “2022–2023.”
Click on the “Search”
Select the report dated May 2024.
The final review reflects TEA’s evaluation of LEA responses to the 2022–2023 preliminary IDEA-B LEA MOE compliance review, as described in the March 21, 2024, To the Administrator Addressed letter posted to the TEA Correspondence page.
Noncompliant LEAs
If the final IDEA-B LEA MOE compliance review shows your LEA to be in noncompliance, please wait to send your refund to the agency. You will receive a letter from the Federal Compliance Officer in the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration which will provide you with our Non-Compliance Resolution contacts, process, and next steps.
Resources
Please refer to the IDEA-B LEA MOE page of the TEA website for further information and additional resources regarding IDEA-B LEA MOE.
For Further Information
Please email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division at compliance@tea.texas.gov with any questions regarding the IDEA-B LEA MOE compliance review process.
Federal Program Compliance Division
Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement - Program Evaluation
As we approach the end of the academic year, it is time to shift our focus to the evaluation of Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) programs within your Local Education Agency (LEA). We understand the critical role that effective family engagement plays in student success, and we appreciate your ongoing dedication to fostering strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities.
We encourage you to begin the assessment process promptly. This evaluation not only helps in gauging the effectiveness of your current initiatives but also serves as a foundation for planning improvements and setting goals for the upcoming school year. An Evaluation Toolkit is available to assist with this process.
2024 Statewide Parent and Family Engagement Conference
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Parent and Family Engagement Conference, scheduled to take place in Houston from October 16th to 18th, 2024. This conference presents a valuable opportunity for LEA representatives to engage with experts in the field, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies for enhancing family engagement efforts.
Thank you for your continued commitment to promoting meaningful parent and family engagement in our schools. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the ESC representative in your area, or email the Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative at t1pfe@esc16.net.
For more information or assistance with questions concerning the Title I, Part A program requirements, contact the Federal Program Compliance Division at ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov.
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);
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 Grants Administration Division
2024-2025 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant Application
The 2024-2025 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant Application is now available in eGrants. Allocations for eligible applicants are available and can be viewed on the Entitlements page.
Visit the TEA Grant Opportunities page for detailed information about the grant program application. Search for 2024-2025 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application. Additional information on how to apply for a grant is available on the Applying for a Grant page.
SC5003 — Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule
Eligible applicants must first complete the SC5003 — Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule to access the ADC. To complete the SC5003, log into TEAL and select eGrants as the application. Once in eGrants, click on Special Collections on the menu bar.
Applicant Designation and Certification (ADC) Form
The ADC form must be submitted before the grant application is available in eGrants. To access the ADC, log into TEAL and select eGrants as the application. Once in eGrants, click on Grants on the menu bar.
Gun-Free Schools District Report Due
As a reminder for the 2024-2025 ESSA Consolidated Grant Application, the PR6000 — Gun-Free Schools District Report must be submitted to TEA before a Notice of Grant Award is issued.
Application Due Date
Eligible applicants must apply through the eGrants system by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, September 3, 2024.
Contact Information
For program information, contact the following TEA Divisions.
For the following programs, contact the Federal Program Compliance Division at (512) 463-9499 or ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov:
For Title III, Part A—ELA and Immigrant, contact the Special Populations Division at (512) 463-9414; (800) 252-9668; or EnglishLearnerSupport@tea.texas.gov.
For additional information on the ADC or the grant application, contact your assigned negotiator listed on the Grants Administration Division Contacts page.
News from Educator Data, Research and Strategy
Newly Certified and New Teacher Hires 2023-2024 Dashboard
Did you know?
The Newly Certified and New Teacher Hires Dashboard, maintained by the Educator Data, Research, and Strategy team at Texas Education Agency allows users to determine how many new teacher hires came from different sources in each local education agency in the state. In addition to providing visualizations, the data is available for download for users to do their own analyses.
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Chapter 228 Informational Webinars are Posted The Approved Chapter 228 Debut Webinar & Recording and the Approved Chapter 228 Debut Webinar for Districts & Recording are now posted under EPP Training Events and Materials on the Program Provider Resources page.
Reminder: Employment Data Set Distributed!On Friday, May 10th, TEA distributed the data sets to EPPs that contain five years of employment data for finishers. This is our fourth year of providing this data, and we have updated it to include the 2023-2024 employment data. These data sets include TEA IDs, LEA of employment, Campus, Course Assignments, Population Served, and Pay. This data was shared through the ShareFile data locker.
If you have questions about Sharefile, please submit a Helpdesk ticket.
FAQs
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: If our EPP exits a candidate from the EPP, are they still able to earn the degree with the university
A: Yes, if the EPP exits a candidate, the individual may still pursue the degree without certification. The EPP would need to also remove the candidate’s enrollment status and testing status. In case the candidate wishes to pursue certification in the future, the EPP should provide the candidate with a transfer form. Reference the current exit policy requirements in 19 TAC §228.20(h) and the new exit policy requirements effective 9/1/2024 in 19 TAC §228.31(b).
Q: Can our Principal program admit a candidate who does not have a Standard teaching certificate?
A: Yes, but the program must provide a written deficiency letter to the candidate identifying the missing certification requirement. A candidate may be admitted into a Principal program without a teacher certification but may not be certified as a principal without the teacher certification. Reference 19 TAC §227.10(a)(5).
Q: When should an EPP make recommendations for standard certification?
A: An EPP may recommend the Standard certificate on or after the date the last requirement has been met. The date the last requirement was met is entered into the recommendation screen and becomes the effective date on the Standard certificate. "Requirements met" include:
EPP coursework and training are complete, including the recommendation of a successful clinical experience provided by both the field supervisor and applicable campus personnel, and the candidate is identified as a "finisher". Please note that the internship is not complete until the candidate has completed the full school year.
All required certification exams are passed.
The degree required for the certificate is conferred.
For a non teacher candidate, the candidate has met the certification and accredited years of service requirements, where applicable.
If all requirements are met, the EPP may recommend the certificate, even if the candidate has not completed fingerprinting or paid for the application. ECOS will not allow the certificate to be issued until the application is complete
EPP Points of Contact
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
For most efficient assistance, please submit a HelpDesk ticket to Preparation Programs.
EPPs may contact their assigned Education Specialist directly via phone or email.
Candidates may call (512) 936-8400 and select Option #2: Educator Preparation and Certification for assistance.
Updated: If EPPs (and candidates) would like to speak to a representative from another area(s), they may call (512) 936-8400 and select one of the options listed below.
This year has flown by and we hope that you will have a chance to enjoy some summer fun and relaxation! We are sad to see our Cohort 1 K-5 coaches leave and wish you the best in your new adventures. As always, it is a pleasure to serve you. Don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Mark your calendars, friends! We are so excited to announce the date for the much-anticipated TRI Coach Literacy Conference! The conference will be held on October 14, 2024, 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM ESC 20 Conference Center
Important Updates
Welcome Diego!
Diego Lopez will be joining the TRI Grant team this summer as our Federal Grant Management intern. Diego is currently pursuing his master's in public service and administration at the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M. Diego has an interest in the intersection of data collection and public policy and is looking forward to using his skills in data analysis to support TRI subgrantees in their mission to impact student literacy outcomes in Texas.
End of Year Data
End of Year Performance Data CollectionWe have arrived at the end of the school year! It is now time for us to collect data for our grants. Detailed instructions for each subgrantee type are mentioned below. To learn more, please attend our Office Hours on Friday, June 7th. Literacy Coach Awardees will need to complete the following end-of-year data collection survey.This survey will require analysis and reflection from the required pre and post surveys. All literacy coaching subgrantees need to submit this coaching survey by Friday, June 23. Please submit a separate survey for K-5 and 6-12 if you have both awards. Please contact Rhonda Leon for any questions or more information on the coaching surveys.
REQUIRED COACH TRAINING CERTIFICATES are due and should be uploaded before you leave for the summer here,
TRI Grant Summer Office Hours
We will be hosting a summer office hour on Friday, June 7th at 10:00-11:00 CST. In this session we will be available to answer SY 24-25 continuation application process questions. This session will be recorded, and the recording link will be sent out to our mailing list at the end of the session for those that cannot attend live. The calendar invite has been sent out to all those on our mailing list. Please reach out to Rhonda or Debra if you have not received the invite and would like to attend.
TRI Grant Continuation Award FAQ
Are current grantees eligible for continuation for the 24-25 school year? Cohort 1 6-12 Coaches and Conferences and Cohort 2 K-5, 6-12 and Conferences, grantees are eligible to apply for continuation funding for the 24-25 school year. Will all grantees receive the continuation award? Generally speaking, continuation applications will be funded unless the applicant withdraws from the program. What would be grounds for an application to not receive continuation? A literacy coach is not hired for the literacy coaching awards or no/low drawdowns of funds in the 21-22, 22-23, and 23-24 school years. For literacy conferences happening in the summer, I am not concerned about drawdowns as I know those will be happening after conclusion of the conference. When will this application open? The application opens on June 1st and is due on July 31st. When will awards be announced? An email notification will be sent to the applicant confirming receipt of the application documents. Grant applications are assigned for review and negotiation as they are received. I cannot guarantee when NOGAs will be issued as much depends on the workload in our negotiation unit and the responsiveness of applicants if asked to make corrections or revisions. The sooner the applications are received the sooner for a NOGA. Who should I contact for application status? After submission of the application and receipt of the confirmation email, if an applicant has any questions or concerns about the status of their application, they can contact their regional negotiator for assistance. When will the SY24-25 Award start? The award for the 23-24 school year ends September 30th, 2024. The 24-25 school year award goes from 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. Leftover funds from the 23-24 year will carry over into the 24-25 school year.
Make sure to check out the TRI Grant Hub via TEALearn that will allow you to access grantee information, budget details, community of practice support, resources, and navigation information!
Highlights
Congratulations to ESC 10 on their successful "The Rest of The Story" conference! Anna Marie, Rich and their team did an amazing job providing a day of strong professional development for the educators in their area! Thank you for your hard work!
We would love to share the great things happening with your coaches and conferences! Please upload your stories, exciting opportunities and podcasts to be highlighted in our newsletter here.
Questions on performance metrics or budget items? Contact Debra Humphrey
Have a general question? Help us generate our FAQ document by submitting questions.
Monday, June 12, 2023: Office Hours Monday 1:00-2:00Friday, June 23, 2023: DUE TRI Grant Literacy Coaching Survey June 26-29: Conference meetingsJune 2, 2023: Continuation Applications for 23-24 award window openedJuly 31, 2023: Continuation Application Award window closes
News from the Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs Unit
Foster Care and Education Summit 2024
In partnership with The Texas Education Agency, The Children's Commission and The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will conduct the Foster Care and Education Summit. This training aims to provide guidance, resource tips, and tools to assist local education agencies and child welfare organizations with addressing the educational needs and requirements of students in foster care, as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Registration is now open. Please use this registration link or the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot for the summit. We are excited to share new information with you. This summit will be for two days. There will be intentional time for learning new skills and strategies for working with students in foster care.
Thank you to Education Service Center 15 and Angelo State University for hosting and assisting with the planning of the summit.
News from the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Team
Stakeholder Engagement Summer Sessions
TEA is committed to enhancing opportunities for stakeholder engagement. We are pleased to announce that the reading language arts team at TEA is implementing an initiative to expand information-sharing and engagement with reading language arts stakeholders across the state. Stakeholders include parents, teachers, administrators, staff members, local board members, and the general public.
It is our hope that these virtual, online meetings will allow us to connect with stakeholders to learn more about their needs and to share relevant and timely information with them. Each session will have a different informational focus related to reading language arts.
Please see the topics, schedule, and registration links for the stakeholder engagement summer sessions below.
Spanish Language Arts and English as a Second Language
Spanish Language Arts and English as a Second Language June Stakeholder Engagement Session Topic: Chapter 128, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Spanish Language Arts and Reading and English as a Second Language Frequently Asked QuestionsDate and Time: Tuesday, June 18, at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration Link
Spanish Language Arts and English as a Second Language July Stakeholder Engagement SessionTopic: Beginning-of-Year Assessments for Elementary School and Middle SchoolDate and Time: Tuesday, July 23, at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration Link
English Language Arts
English Language Arts and Reading July Stakeholder Engagement Sessions Topic: Required Beginning-of-Year Assessments for Elementary School and Middle SchoolDates and Times: Monday, July 22, at 10:00-11:00 a.m. Registration Link Wednesday, July 24, at 2:30-3:30 p.m. Registration Link
Timely Topic: English I, II, III and IV Course Sequencing
To support Texas reading language arts educators and stakeholders, the reading language arts newsletter occasionally highlights a commonly asked question and response focused on a timely reading language arts topic. This edition’s timely topic question is below.
Question: Do high school English I-IV courses have to be taken in sequential order?
Answer: Sequencing of English I, II, III and IV is not addressed by law or rule. English I, II, III and IV can be taken in any order or concurrently.
However, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for these courses were written with vertical alignment considerations. So, in many cases, student expectations (SEs) in English III and IV build upon SEs in English I and II. For example, if students take English III or IV without first taking English I and II, they may have gaps in knowledge that could hinder them from successfully mastering English III or IV.
Congratulations Class of 2024!
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024 and the parents and educators who have supported them all along the way! Among life's biggest moments are graduations. The culmination of hard work and accomplishment, a commencement of any kind is cause for celebration. The graduating class of 2024 has proven that they can overcome obstacles and challenges with strength and perseverance. As they embrace the next phase of their lives, they will remember the lessons learned and cherish the memories made. The world will be positively impacted by the unique skills and talents of this year’s graduating students and their parents and educators!
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 CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. Teachers traveling to the institute from out of town 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
Texas State Historic Sites Youth Summer Camps Blend Education and Adventure
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.
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.
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.
2023-2024 Physical Fitness Assessment—Deadline June 14, 2024
State law (Texas Education Code §§38.101- 38.104) requires schools to annually assess and submit data for students enrolled in grades 3 and higher. The deadline for submitting data this school year is before 5:00 pm (Central) June 14, 2024. No extensions will be granted.
For FitnessGram® Users
Districts and charters that took advantage of the FitnessGram state-funded licenses must enter data into FitnessGram.
The last day to register for a FitnessGram site license for 2023–2024 is on or before 5:00 pm (Central) on June 12, 2024. (Physical fitness assessments must be entered in FitnessGram by the June 14, 2024 deadline.)
All other districts and charters must enter physical fitness data into the Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI) application.
Detailed help documentation and the data upload template are posted on the Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative web page under the Announcements heading.
A TEA Login (TEAL) account is required to use the PFAI application. Please plan on two weeks to obtain a TEAL account.
Questions related to the PFAI application may be directed to TEA by telephone at (512) 463-9581 or by email at pfaiprogramsupport@tea.texas.gov.
Now Accepting Off-Campus Physical Activity Program Approval Requests for 2024-2025
Off-campus physical activity approval requests for the 2024-2025 school year are now being accepted, and must be submitted by the approval deadline, January 31, 2025. Off-campus physical activity program approval requests may be submitted electronically by attaching to a Curriculum Request Form.
Autism Toolkit
Texas Education Agency’s Texas SPED Support features an Autism Toolkit with various resources for families and educators for students with Autism. Activity topics include behavior cues, social narratives, communication with teachers and family, task progress, and more. Detailed instructions, templates, and tips are included in each activity. Please direct questions about the Autism Toolkit to SpecialEducation@tea.texas.gov.
Texas Autism Conference
The Texas Education Agency is sponsoring the annual Texas Autism Conference in person from June 20-21 and virtually from June 20-22. Additionally, a Family Day is being hosted on June 22nd. The goal of the conference is to promote increased awareness and understanding of evidence-based practices, interventions, standards, and services in autism. Attendees will participate in professional development and networking opportunities curated for families, students, educators, and professionals. Registration information can be found on the conference webpage. Please direct questions about the conference to questions@esc13.net.
Care Coordination for Students with Chronic Health Conditions
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC), a university-level research center at Texas State University, is looking for young people who are passionate about educating their peers on the importance of living a healthy, drug-free life, increasing awareness about teen mental health concerns, and helping create positive school climates where friends and peers feel happy and safe. The TxSSC Safe School AmbassadorsYouth Advisory Board will host awareness and prevention projects throughout the 2024-2025 school year and work closely with Center staff to develop future trainings and events for youth to engage in school safety initiatives. Applications for the 2024-2025 Safe School Teen Ambassadors Youth Advisory Board are now open. Please scan and email the applications to txssc_ssa@txstate.edu by 5:00 pm Central, on Friday, May 31, 2024.
Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART) Seeking Applicants
The Texas Department of Agriculture is seeking 9th, 10th, and 11th grade student leaders for the 2024-2025 school year to join the Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART) program. For more information or to apply, visit the HART program webpage. The application closes August 23, 2024. Please direct questions about the program or application to the HART team by emailing HART@TexasAgriculture.govor calling 1 (877) TEX-MEAL
Mental Health and Wellness
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.
News from the Texas Public Charter School Association
Do you know an outstanding public charter school superintendent, principal, or teacher? We know several! But from now until August 1, we want to hear from you.
TPCSA is pleased to announce the return of our award program to recognize public charter school educators who go above and beyond to improve student learning and achievement. The following awards will be presented at our 2024 Texas Public Charter Schools Conference.
Leader of the Year
Principal of the Year
Teacher of the Year
In addition to being recognized this fall, each honoree will win an educational tour sponsored by Education First. The winners will have the opportunity to observe STEM, career and technical education, or global learning programs in places like Panama, the Dominican Republic, Finland, and Estonia, growing their professional knowledge while enjoying another culture.
Learn more about the process and submit your nominations online by August 1. To ensure greater transparency, each submission will be reviewed by our award committee using a standard set of questions and rubric.
We are so excited to recognize the achievements of our public charter school colleagues through a dedicated award program. For questions, please contact Laurel Garcia at lgarcia@txcharterschools.org
Harmony Science Academy El Paso team makes top 10 in rocket contest
Harmony Science Academy in El Paso finished in the top 10 at the world's largest student rocket contest.
On Sunday, May 19, 2024 Harmony Science Academy El Paso Team 1 finished 8th place at the National Finals of the 2024 American Rocketry Challenge at Great Meadow in The Plains, V.A.
The accomplishment earned students $2,500 and the school $500. By finishing in the top 25, the team also secured an invitation to participate in NASA's Student Launch initiative which, -- according to NASA's website-- is a 9-month-long challenge where students across the country have to build, test, and launch a rocket carrying scientific or engineering payload.
The teams' accomplishments follow months of preparation where they had to design, build, and test a rocket capable of meeting rigorous mission parameters set by the contest’s sponsors – the Aerospace Industries Association(AIA), National Association of Rocketry, and more than 20 industry partners.
To qualify for the National Finals, the Harmony Science Academy El Paso teams designed, built, and launched model rockets that could safely carry one raw egg with a target flight duration of 43-46 seconds and an altitude of 820 feet.
This is the school’s 6th straight year in the National finals.
Now in its 22nd year, the American Rocketry Challenge has inspired nearly 95,000 middle and high school students to explore education and careers in STEM fields.
Teams at the National Finals represented 28 states from Washington to Florida and competed for a total of $100,000 in prize money and scholarships.
The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
