Greetings Strong Foundations Planning Grant school systems,

As we welcome the month of May, we are delighted to bring you the latest edition of our Strong Foundations Planning Newsletter. Your dedication to partnering with an Approved Provider and finalizing your contracts has been truly commendable. These steps are vital in laying the groundwork for a robust Research-Based Instructional Framework. 

We understand that this time of year is particularly demanding for school districts. Please know that the Strong Foundations Planning TEA team is here to offer unwavering support throughout this journey. 

In this edition, we are excited to provide you with the latest updates and valuable resources to aid your efforts. Together, we are enhancing educational systems that drive student achievement and create a brighter future for all. 

Thank you for your relentless pursuit of educational excellence! 

Warm Regards,  

Strong Foundations Planning Team

• Submit your Executed Contract with an Approved Provider of Choice: Please begin browsing the list, videos, and resources of Approved Providers, that support Strong Foundations Planning here - Choosing an Approved Provider. The deadline to have chosen an Approved Provider is May 16, 2025
• You will upload your executed contract to your district’s individual Google Drive folder by May 16 and complete the LEA & AP Executed Contract Submission Form. Your Google folder link was included in your school system's Supplemental Award Letter, emailed to your point of contact on February 24, 2025. If you need your Google folder shared with you again, please reach out to strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov 

• If you missed the Strong Foundations Planning LEA Kick-off, please watch the recording and view the slide deck found on the LEA Interactive Calendar (3/6 & 3/28). Have questions? Come see us at  Office Hours – registration info below.
• (Optional) Office Hours – We hold optional office hours each month for your grant leadership to attend and ask questions directly to TEA. The next one will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 4:00 p.m. Here is the link to register for them all.
  • Office Hours registration link - Meeting Registration - Zoom 

• Contracting 101 – If you missed this session, feel free to watch the recording and go through the slides to learn more about the grant timeline, how to select an Approved Provider, the contracting process and grant requirements. You can find the recording and slides on the LEA Interactive Calendar (April 3 and 11). 

• (Optional) LEA Communities of Practice – these optional meetings are a great chance to collaborate, innovate, and problem solve with other school system leaders who are participating in the Strong Foundations Planning Grant. You will also hear tips and best practices from leaders who previously participated in Strong Foundations Planning. We highly recommend you come to this SFP learning community. They begin in August; register for all of them with this link! 

• Strong Foundations Website - a newly updated resource for all your LASO Cycle 3 informational needs. 

• Have other people form your school system that could benefit from this newsletter? Share this link with them so they can subscribe!