ESC TODAY
Timely Information and Resources for Region 11 Schools
February 3, 2016
ESC Today is published twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays.
New Partnership with SuccessEd Offers Section 504 Solution to Region 11 Schools
ESC Region 11 and SuccessEd, a software provider for educators, have partnered to provide districts and charter schools with SE 504, a software solution to manage Section 504 programs. SE 504 will provide online forms and data tracking for compliance and reporting required by Section 504, a federal law which ensures that a child with a disability has equal access to an education, including accommodations and modifications. ESC Region 11 is the first education service center in Texas to partner with SuccessEd.
"The mission of ESC Region 11 is to provide quality solutions that build the capacity of learning communities. SE 504 from SuccessEd will help us advance this mission in the more than 77 traditional public school districts and more than 50 charter campuses that we serve," said Maria Embrey, educational consultant for Section 504, Dyslexia, and SPED Early Childhood at ESC Region 11. "I am excited about this new program and look forward to working with our LEAs to roll out SE 504 across the region."
Administrators, Teachers, All Staff
New website launched for deaf education
Imagine success for every student who is deaf or hard of hearing. Crossroads is a new online resource website where Texas’ deaf and hard-of-hearing students, their families, and the professionals who support them can go for assistance with deaf education.
Sharing assets statewide in one place, Crossroads brings together the resources and expertise of the Texas School for the Deaf with those of ESC Region 11's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
Bilingual/ESL Directors, Administrators - Campus & District
Bilingual/ESL Directors' Advisory Meeting on Feb. 10
Do you have a hard time finding bilingual teachers for your district or charter? You are invited to attend the Bilingual/ESL Directors' Advisory Meeting on Feb. 10, where Dr. Barbara Kennedy from the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, DC, will be our virtual guest. She will present on the bilingual teacher shortage in Texas school districts. The meeting will be held from 9- 10 a.m. at ESC Region 11. Remote viewing is available. Register for the Bilingual/ESL Directors Advisory Meeting.
For additional information, contact Rick Schuft, (817) 740-7547. For information about the speaker, click here.
Bilingual/ESL Teachers, Supervisors
Answers to Teachers' Top 10 Questions
ESC Insights Blog
Angela Destro, Secondary ESL Consultant
The most recent ESL Insights blog post continues a series of brief entries inspired by the book, Working with Second Language Learners: Answers to Teachers’ Top Ten Questions, (Stephen Cary, 2002). The book is relatively short and easy to read. While not all information in the book is accurate according to the state of Texas requirements, it was the subtitle that grabbed my (Angela) attention. It made me wonder if teachers really have a top 10 list of questions. The answer is yes!
There are questions in the book that are answered here at the ESC every day. In this blog series, all 10 questions will be answered with information appropriate for the state of Texas.
The latest post answers question #4: "How do I get my reluctant speakers to speak English?" As you read the answer to each question, you will also find information on in-depth training on the topic provided by ESC Region 11.
Charter School Administrators and Staff
On Monday, February 8, ESC Regions 11 & 10 will host a Charter Symposium at the Arlington Professional Development Center from 9 a.m. - noon. Register your charter team today!
Digital Learning
Discovery Education Streaming has added an exciting new collection of resources for educators this year called “Spotlight on Strategies.” You’ll find dozens of creative, research-based instructional strategies presented by teachers, for teachers. These strategies incorporate digital media in meaningful, effective, and practical ways. ESC Region 11 schools receive Discovery Education Streaming through membership in our Educational Technology Digital Learning Cooperative. Please contact Kayla Steiner if you need assistance in accessing Discovery Streaming.
Check out the Spotlight on Strategies section on the Discovery Education website.
Drug Impairment Workshop for Administrators, Nurses, Counselors, Safety Team, Teachers
Instructional Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Department Heads
A four-day Instructional Coach Academy will begin this month with learning tailored for instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and department heads who are leading change in their school. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at ESC Region 11. Dates are:
- February 22-23
- March 9
- April 13
New Math4Texas Website Provides Help with New Math Standards
Do parents in your district call asking about the “new Math?”
Math4Texas is a new FREE website designed to help parents, teachers, and students understand the revised standards in the Math Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Math4Texas showcases the Math TEKS by grade level with tips, examples, digital tools, and videos to help parents understand the math concepts and skills that their children are learning.
Math4Texas was developed under the Math Initiative, instituted through the collaborative efforts of the Education Service Center Region 11 board of directors and superintendents to assist parents, students, and teachers not only in Region 11 but in all regions across the state of Texas.
Check out Math4Texas and download a brochure and a bookmark to provide to teachers and parents.
Technology Vendor Fair - Call for Vendors
TEKS Resource System Conference - June 14-16, 2016
The 2016 TEKS Resource System Conference provides a powerful platform for educators across the state to enhance their schools' commitment to student success. The interactive professional development and networking opportunities are designed to get teachers and administrators of all levels and disciplines motivated about new strategies and tools to enhance the passion, dedication, and hard work put into their teaching every day!
The conference will provide a variety of content-specific sessions, including all core content areas, instructional leadership, digital learning, assessment, special populations, and differentiation. Breakout sessions will be available for ALL teachers, regardless of whether your district uses TEKS Resource System.
Join Our Social Community
Stay connected to ESC Region 11 through our Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts; blogs; and email contact lists/listservs. Join the ESC Region 11 pages, and/or find the specific group that meets your needs. Browse through the list and click on the one you are interested in joining.
Click on this QR code to go to our Facebook page, then "Like" our page.
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ESC Region 11
Email: communications@esc11.net
Website: esc11.net
Location: 1451 Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX 76108, United States
Phone: (817)740-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/ESCRegion11
Twitter: @ESCRegion11