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Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs |
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Welcome to the Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Newsletter for the 2024-25 School Year!
Throughout the year, we have been highlighting new resources, campus achievements, and opportunities to support our at-risk student programs and we are thrilled to bring you this year's updates and resources. We want to take a moment to thank YOU for all the hard work and dedication to help students overcome challenges, recognize strengths, navigate complex situations and invest personally and professionally in students in every community across our great state.
April is Month of the Military Child and in this issue, we’ll highlight some of the new resources available, campus highlights, and opportunities to support Military Connected Students! Additionally, we are excited to feature program updates, new resources, and celebrations from our individual programs in the 2024-25 school year, as well as events and celebrations you’ve shared with us!
History
The Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Unit is part of the Office of Special Populations and Student Supports (OSPSS). Within our HMAR Unit, we work to support schools, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and Education Service Centers (ESCs) in their work with some of our most vulnerable populations. Specifically, we work to support the following program areas: Military-Connected Students/Purple Star Campus Designation, Texas Education for Homeless Children & Youth, Pregnancy Related Services, and Foster Care & Student Success.
The HMAR Unit’s purpose is to increase awareness, build capacity, and improve Texas Education Agency (TEA) supports, resources and tools available for Texas schools to address the unique needs and statutory requirements of highly mobile and at-risk students. Ultimately, the Unit exists to improve the school experience and education outcomes of all highly mobile and at-risk students in Texas public schools.
Need technical assistance? Contact your Education Service Center’s designated Regional Liaison/Champion (i.e., McKinney-Vento, Foster Care, Military). District and campus staff should reach out to their Regional Liaison for questions or clarifications on implementation of their respective programs. See the HMAR ESC Liaison and Champions Directory for more information. |
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HMAR Professional Development & Resources
The HMAR programs offer annual professional development opportunities to strengthen the support educators provide to at-risk students. TEA HMAR training, current 24-25 SY and previous school years, were recorded and can be accessed by clicking on the HMAR webinar webpage.
HMAR unit has held three (3) Quarterly Webinars – in September, November, and February. Thank you to all who were able to attend our live sessions! We had an overwhelming 2,074 participants and anticipate over 1,100 participants for the last HMAR Quarterly Webinar scheduled for May 1, 2025. If you have not already, don’t forget to Register for SY 2024-25 Quarterly Webinar #4. We hope to see you there!
HMAR AskTED How-To Guidance Document
This resource was developed to assist stakeholders in understanding how to use the directory to locate their local liaisons by the school, district, and/or region, as well as steps to take to update their campus information as the role/designation changes within the school year.
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Texas ranks second in the nation for educating school-aged military-connected students, with nearly 215,000 identified military-connected students attending public and open-enrollment charter schools. The Military-Connected Students program offers annual professional development opportunities to strengthen the support educators provide to military-connected students. The 2024-25 Military Webinar was held on February 26, 2025, with 871 registered participants. Thank you to all who were able to attend our live session! The webinar was recorded, and resources can be accessed here: Recorded Webinar | Presentation Slides PDF.
Updated Military Student Identifier (PEIMS) Infographics
This one-pager provides guidance for schools on collecting military-connected student information for PEIMS. and includes updated data regarding the number of military-connected students in Texas (2023-24 PEIMS data). Military-Connected Student Identifier (MSI) Infographics Resource
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Purple Star Campus Designation
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is proud to announce the 2025-26 Purple Star Campus Designation (PSCD) application window will open on April 4, 2025, and close June 6, 2025. The Agency has developed and released numerous new resources to support implementation of PSCD and for those interested in applying for the designation. Please visit the Purple Star Campus Designation Webpage for these resources. For this newsletter, we would like to highlight three (3) resources:
TEA Learn Course: Purple Star Rise
Purple Star Rise is a 5-module course that walks participants through all aspects of the PSCD and unique elements of supporting military connected students. 10 unique tools and resources to support Texas schools with implementation of PSCD are implemented throughout the course.
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PSCD Application Exemplar Resource
In order support PSCD applicants, the Agency developed this Application Exemplar to walk applicants through each PSCD application question, including expectations, tips and strategies, and sample responses from the 24-25 PSCD application submissions.
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Purple Star Campus Professional Learning Community
TEA, in collaboration with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), developed a 3-part Professional Learning Community series that included professional development and Purple Star office hours to strengthen support for campuses that are implementing PSCD.
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April is Month of Military Child (MOMC)
MOMC is a time to honor the sacrifices made by military connected children worldwide. On April 11th, 2025 ‘Purple Up! For Military Kids’ will be celebrated to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Wearing purple on this day is a visible way to show support and thank military connected youth for their strength and sacrifices.
We would like to highlight some celebrations across the state demonstrating their commitment to military children and their families. For ideas on how to celebrate this year, visit the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)’s Month of the Military Child Toolkit.
Anthony Independent School
Fort Worth ISD
The Military Student Ambassadors program within Belton Independent School District held its second training for the program where peers mentor and support incoming military-connected students.
Morgan Mill ISD Annual Thanksgiving Feast to honor military personnel in the community
The Foster Care & Student Success program maintains resources and information to advance the education of students impacted by foster care. The Foster Care and Student Success program offers annual professional development opportunities to strengthen the support educators provide to students impacted by foster care. TEA’s Foster Care training for the 2024-25 SY can be accessed by clicking on the Foster Care Information and Resource webpage.
TSDS PEIMS Coding and Supplemental Guidance
TEA developed this guidance document to streamline enrollment and clarify expectations regarding the TSDS PEIMS indicator code, identifying students in foster care, and acceptable documentation. The resource can be accessed here: TSDS PEIMS Coding
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Foster Care Summit Highlights
The Foster Care Summit held in September 2024 in San Angelo was a resounding success with over 240 participants in attendance. The focus of the summit was to drive ESSA implementation for students in foster care. The partnership of TEA, DFPS, and The Children’s Commission is an impactful collaboration that will continue to build resources and promote opportunities for professional development to address the education of students in foster care. More information about the next Foster Care Summit will be coming in the future. Save the date for December 2-3, 2025.
Foster Care Summit 2024 Audience
TEA's HMAR Team
The Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program provide direction and leadership on the implementation of state and federal guidance regarding program services for McKinney-Vento eligible students. The TEHCY program offers annual professional development opportunities to strengthen the support educators provide to students experiencing homelessness. TEA McKinney-Vento trainings for 2024-25 were recorded and can be accessed by clicking on the training library of the new TEHCY Web Portal. TEHCY program held five (5) webinars this school year with an overwhelming 5,000+ participants. Thank you to all who were able to attend our live sessions!
Additionally, numerous high-impact resources were developed and released this school year. All TEHCY resources can be accessed on the TEHCY resource library of the new TEHCY Web Portal. We would like to highlight three (3) resources:
TEHCY Infographics
The infographics is a valuable 2-page resource that can be a quick tool to understand homeless living situations, rights of McKinney-Vento eligible students, and data as they relate to the number of students experiencing homelessness in Texas.
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TEHCY Discipline One-Pager
A TEHCY Discipline One-Pager is a valuable resource to have on hand for understanding McKinney-Vento eligibility, disciplinary challenges and considerations, the visual decision-making tree, and PEIMs Behavior Codes.
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TEHCY Discipline Toolkit
The Discipline Toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of how to support and respond to students experiencing homelessness related to discipline, and Includes practices, procedures, and tools that LEAs will be able to use to strengthen services and supports for students experiencing homelessness.
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The State and Regional McKinney-Vento Team
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TEA-ESC Quarterly Meeting Hosted by ESC 5 in Beaumont
TEA-ESC Quarterly Meeting Hosted by ESC 15 in San Angelo
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Texas McKinney-Vento liaisons at the National NAEHCY Conference 2024 in Orlando, Florida
TEA TEHCY Team
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Additional highlights and celebrations can be found in the January 2025 TEHCY Newsletter released.
Please bookmark and submit ANY team, campus, or regional celebrations, events, or achievements. This project’s goal is to capture and commemorate all the hard work and dedication for our HMAR programs during the 24-25 SY.
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Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY): HomelessEducation@tea.texas.gov
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Foster Care and Student Success: FosterCareLiaison@tea.texas.gov
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Pregnancy Related Services: PregnancyRelatedServices@tea.texas.gov
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Military Connected Students: MilitaryConnectedStudents@tea.texas.gov
Thank you for taking the time to read the Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Newsletter for the 2024-25 school year. We hope you found the information and resources helpful and inspiring. Your dedication to supporting our students is invaluable, and together, we can make a significant impact in their lives.
As we move forward, we encourage you to stay engaged and connected. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, feedback, or suggestions. Your input is crucial in helping us improve and better serve our communities.
Stay tuned for more updates, resources, and opportunities for the 2025-2026 school year. We look forward to celebrating our collective achievements and continuing our journey towards excellence in education.
Warm regards,
The HMAR Team
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The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
     
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