LIFT Approved Provider Newsletter: December

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 12/10/2025 09:00 AM CST

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Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO 4) Program

December 2025

LIFT Approved Provider Newsletter
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Welcome to the December edition of the LIFT Approved Provider Newsletter!

It’s hard to believe that we’re so close to wrapping up our first fall semester as a broader LIFT community, so thank you all for your engagement and intentional work thus far.  

In this newsletter, we’ll highlight some important LIFT program updates, recap LIFT U 1.3 session learning, and elevate some critical dates and resources for you and your team.  

As a reminder, anyone within your organization who would like to receive this newsletter must access this link to subscribe. Consider sharing this link with your organization's executive leadership team as well as any internal folks who will take part in your organization's LIFT work, e.g. District Coaches and Campus Coaches, Support Staff, etc... 
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 Reminders and Next Steps for LIFT Leads

1. The LIFT AP Registration Portal has officially launched!

You and your teams can now register for trainings directly through the portal.  

2. Important Update: Math RBIS Refinement:  

  • The Math Research-Based Instructional Strategies (RBIS) have long set the foundation for strong, research-driven math instruction across Texas. In the spirit of continuous improvement, we are excited to announce that the Math RBIS will be updated over the coming months.   
  • To allow time for these updates, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will pause Math RBIS and Bluebonnet K–5 and Secondary Math Product Training from January through March 2026.  
  • Trainings will resume in April 2026, with an expanded schedule to ensure broad access across the field. In addition, updated sessions will be offered for educators who previously attended Math RBIS or Bluebonnet K–5 and Secondary Math Product Training, providing an opportunity to engage with the refinements and updates.   

 

3. Approved providers may apply for expertise in one or more HQIM on the current list of SBOE-approved materials and/or materials that were approved at the November SBOE meeting. 

  • The provider portal opened on Monday, November 24, and will close on Monday, December 22, at 12 pm CT.

 

 4. Spring District Engagement Timelines Highlights: 

  • Week of February 2nd: LASO 4 awards are announced. 
  • February 3- March 5: eGrants open for school systems to accept or decline awards. 
  • March 5-May 5: Window for NOGAs to be released on a rolling basis (earlier award acceptance will receive earlier NOGA). 
  • April 2026: Ideal start for LIFT Need Assessments 
  • By June 2026: Needs Assessment and Action Plan completed 
  • By summer 2026: Up front training conducted for district and campus staff 

LIFT U 1.3 Recap

Below you’ll find the breakdown of LIFT U 1.3 Sessions to support your organization’s key takeaways. Links to session decks and learning resources can be found on the LIFT 1.3 External Agenda. A helpful resource embedded within the agenda is the LIFT 1.3 Parking Lot, where LIFT Lead participants were able to ask specific questions along with responses provided from TEA Leadership. 

Session  

Need to Know 

Planning/Next Steps for LIFT Leads 

LIFT Theory of Action (Chris and Kyle) 

Understand the components and purpose of the LIFT Theory of Action 

Study the Vertical Alignment of the ToA, and determine critical actions and outcomes for each role 

Establish why a clear communication plan is necessary to proactively plan   

Draft communication for internal stakeholders around the ToA  

Have a framework for clear communication around the ToA to internal and external stakeholders
  • The components and purpose of the LIFT Theory of Action 
  • The Vertical Alignment of the ToA, to determine critical actions and outcomes for each role 

 

 
  • Draft communication for internal stakeholders at their organization and share the ToA with them 
  • Create clear communication for internal and external stakeholders (e.g. districts) around the LIFT ToA with team to communicate 

District Experience Alignment (Laura, Megha, and Theresa) 

Review key points of intersection between SI, TSL, and LIFT in creating and aligning the district experience 

Review key elements of district experience, such as the Managed Instruction Dashboard and Observation-Feedback 

    

Program Updates: The Road to March (Kristi) 

Preview the spring Initial LIFT Training 

Deepen understanding of what LIFT DC/CC will be doing between March-May 

Identify key actions you can take in your role as LIFT Lead between now and March to set your LIFT team up for success 

 
  • The overall goals and objectives for Initial LIFT Training in February 
  • The DC Monthly Map and the CC Monthly Map resources for these roles 
  • The role a LIFT Lead needs to play in the upcoming months to prepare future DCs and CCs for February Initial LIFT Training and ongoing DC/CC University 
  • Review LIFT DC Monthly Map and CC Monthly Maps in more detail 
  • Bookmark and share the LIFT Registration portal with folks to start registering for 2026 LIFT Trainings 

Change Management (TK and Alyson) 

Review the Knoster Model for organizational change and engage with an example to connect deeply with each element 

Observe and reflect on how change is being managed at the TEA to LIFT Lead level and also the LIFT Lead to the School System Level using the Knoster Model 

Apply the Knoster Model to managing complex change from the LIFT Lead to their internal team level 

 
  • Why is managing change important?  
  • Because 60-70% of change initiatives fail and of  those that do succeed, they are heavily dependent on proper change management  
  • Change is a process, not an event. Change is created by individuals, not institutions. Change is a highly personal experience. Change involves developmental growth.  
  • Teachers change their practice when they see success with their students 
  • Facilitating change requires focusing on individuals, innovations, and the context 
  • The Knoster model is a change management framework for managing complex change. It contains 5 elements: Vision, Skills, Incentives, Resources, Action Plan
  • If any of the 5 elements are missing, a specific barrier will occur- i.e. frustration or anxiety

What actions for change management will you take 

  • This week 
  • Before the end of the calendar year 
  • Before our next LIFT U (March 3-4) 

 In order to set up your LIFT Team for success as they navigate change using the Knoster model framework? 

 

 

Stewarding Team Learning and Onboarding (Marquita) 

Clarify how LIFT Leads can ensure teams are prepared for successful LIFT launch

Identify systems to support continuous learning and ongoing onboarding of DCs and CCs

Collaborated to design and refine structures that steward ongoing team learning and coherence 

 
  • How they can ensure their teams are prepared for successful LIFT launch? 
  • Identify systems to support the continuous learning and ongoing onboardings of DCs and CCs 
  • Stewardship builds readiness and sustainability 
  • Aligned systems and feedback loops keep learning active 
  • Clear roles and consistent rhythms drive success 
  • Design and refine structures to steward the team’s onboarding and ongoing learning and coherence 
  • Orient team to DC and CC Critical Actions (focusing on knowledge/skills) as well as Monthly Map resources to prepare for LIFT Initial training in February; ground in the Theory of Action. Resources from LIFT external agenda 

Managing Performance and Line-of-Sight (Tim) 

LIFT Leads will increase clarity on how line-of-sight fits within the four-step process in managing performance 

LIFT Leads will identify (and plan) a few key moves they make to ensure they are clear about what is actually happening with DCs and CCs 

 
  • How we effectively manage performance through four repetitive questions 
  • What should it look like? 
  • What does it actually look like? 
  • If there’s a gap, why? 
  • What’s the most effective way to close the gap? 
  • Two key ways the LIFT Lead establishes line-of-sight (how they answer question #2 above) is through check-ins and observation of practice 
  • Identify actions they want to take to better understand what DCs and CCs work should look like 
  • Establish the check-in cadence they’ll deploy with DCs and the check-in agenda they’ll use (and model) 
  • Identify how they can observe future DCs and CCs in action to start getting a feel for strengths and areas for development 

 

Save the Date

Upcoming LIFT Training Dates – See the Training Calendar Linked Below for More Information 

  • Literacy RBIS February 17–19, 2026: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 
  • K-5 RLA Product Training December 11, 2025: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; January 12, 2026: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 
  • LIFT Kickoff January 28, 2026: 1:00-3:00 p.m.; January 29, 2026:9:00-11 a.m. 
  • LIFT Initial Training February 2,3,4, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; February 9,10,11, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Resources