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August 8, 2025

Early Childhood Education Division

ECE Updates

Early Childhood Assessments

To support a strong start to the 2025–2026 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released key resources for early childhood instrument administration. These materials are essential for all Texas school systems (school districts and open-enrollment charter schools).

• Required Implementation of PK–2 Instruments and Dyslexia Screening for the 2025–2026 School Year and Updates Relating to Grade 7 Reading Diagnostic Administration: Official TEA correspondence that details required implementation of PK–2 instruments and dyslexia screening, plus updates to Grade 7 reading diagnostics based on House Bill 2 (89^th Texas Legislature).

Please take a moment to read the official TEA correspondence in full to ensure your team is informed and ready for the year ahead.

• PK-2 Key Dates and Requirements: Includes key dates for data collection and administration.
• 2025–26 Prekindergarten Progress Monitoring Requirements and Recommendations for 4-year-olds: Includes all instrument administration requirements for 4-year-olds participating in a high-quality prekindergarten program, recommended timelines, recommendations and best practices.
• HQPK Progress Monitoring Domains & Corresponding Vendor Measures: Maps TEA’s high-quality prekindergarten required domains to approved vendor instrument measures - ideal for planning and alignment.
• (Coming Soon!) K-2 Requirements and Recommendations: Includes all instrument administration requirements for K-2 students, recommended timelines, recommendations and best practices.

For additional questions, clarification, or support, please submit an inquiry through the Early Childhood Education Support Portal.

High-Quality Family Engagement Plans

Now is the perfect opportunity to evaluate and update your HQPK Family Engagement Plans for the upcoming school year!

Per TAC §102.1003(h), all HQPK Family Engagement Plans must include a primary point of contact and contact information and strategies to support each of the following components: 

• facilitate family-to-family support
• establish a network of community resources
• increase family participation in decision making
• equip families with tools to enhance and extend learning
• develop staff skills in evidence-based practices that support families in meeting their children's learning benchmarks
• evaluate family engagement efforts and use evaluations for continuous improvement

The ECE team offers recorded and downloadable resources for ESC, LEA, and campus staff on the HQPK Family Engagement webpage. Here you’ll be able to view our sample plan, grading rubric, ideas for engagement in each required component, and more!

We will also be available for live support during our HQPK Family Engagement Plan Support Office Hours. We are offering monthly office hours to answer LEA questions and provide guidance leading up to the November 1^st posting deadline. Office hours are available once per month from August through October. Visit the ECE Resources page to view these sessions and other upcoming meetings!

Professional Learning Opportunities

Restorative Practices training – through Preschool Development Grant funding, this training opportunity is offered free of charge through ESC Region 4 until October.

This 8-hour, standalone training offers practical and effective strategies for implementing Restorative Practices with early childhood students through engaging role-play activities. Participants will explore the three components of Restorative Practices specifically designed for teaching students aged 3 to 6 years old.

Check the Region 4 website for training dates. Type in “Early Childhood Restorative Practices” in the search bar for a full list of scheduled trainings.

• August 26: https://www.escweb.net/tx_esc_04/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1910372
• Pending dates: September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14

The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.