Counselor Connection--November 15
Education Service Center Region 15
School Counselor Spotlight
Counselor Survey of the Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement (HB3)
Background information
American Institutes for Research (AIR) was awarded a four-year (2021–2024) research grant from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the Department of Education to examine how the financial aid application graduation requirement is being implemented and how the requirement affects students’ postsecondary trajectories.
The purpose of this counselor survey is to find out how districts and high schools across Texas are promoting and implementing the new high school graduation requirement. Our Advisory Board, made up of representatives from the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, school districts, education service centers, colleges, and community groups, is interested in how this policy is being implemented across Texas.
The 2023-24 TSCA Human Rights Art Contest theme is "Embrace Your Light."
Questions: megguidry@gmail.com
All entries must be mailed by December 31, 2023
Two winning students will be selected in the following categories!
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
We look forward to your submissions!
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month raises awareness for children and families
dealing with homelessness and educates the public on ways to help end homelessness As many as 2.5 million youth per year experience homelessness. Here are links to resources to assist in promoting awareness.
- https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-homeless-youth-awareness-month
- https://tnoys.org/youth-homelessness-resources/
- https://nche.ed.gov/
Ask the Doctor: Teens and Vaping
Understanding Child Trauma
CommonApp Support
- Monthly counselor newsletter
- 10 tips for counselors video
- CommonApp Ready Toolkit (in English and Spanish)
988 Partner Toolkit
Student Attendance Accounting Handbook Update
CTE Facility Safety and Security Research
CTE TEKS Review Updates
SBOE Discussion and Public Hearing for Proposed New CTE TEKS
At the November 2023 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE will discuss recommendations for revisions to a set of CTE TEKS in agriculture and aviation. The review also includes two CTE courses from the STEM career cluster that satisfy a science graduation requirement.
The set of courses include the following:
Agribusiness
- Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Agribusiness Management and Marketing
- Agriculture Leadership, Research, and Communications
- Professional Standards in Agribusiness
- Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Extended Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Animal Science
- Advanced Animal Science
- Equine Science
- Livestock Production
- Small Animal Management
- Veterinary Medical Applications
Plant Science
- Advanced Plant and Soil Science
- Floral Design
- Advanced Floral Design
- Greenhouse Operation and Production
- Horticulture Science
- Viticulture
Aviation Maintenance
- Introduction to Aircraft Technology
- Aircraft Airframe Technology
- Aircraft Powerplant Technology
- Aviation Maintenance
CTE STEM Courses
- Principles of Technology
- Scientific Research and Design
The draft recommendations are available for review and feedback on the 2023 CTE TEKS Review webpage. When providing specific comments and recommendations, please identify the program of study or course(s) in the subject line of the email. For example, in the subject line please indicate "Animal Science CTE TEKS Review." Please submit comments to TEA at teks@tea.texas.gov.
A public hearing on the proposed new TEKS is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The public hearing and discussion items are posted in the SBOE’s November agenda. Individuals may register online to provide public testimony beginning Thursday, November 9, at 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10 (Central Time). Additional information regarding registration is provided on the public testimony registration web page. The SBOE meeting can be viewed via the live webcast. The webcast will also be archived and available via the same link after the meeting.
Proposed New Career Preparation and Entrepreneurship TEKS
The SBOE gave preliminary approval for proposed revisions to the TEKS for the following CTE courses at the August/September 2023 SBOE meeting:
- Career Preparation I
- Career Preparation II
- Extended Career Preparation
- Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone
- Entrepreneurship I
- Entrepreneurship II
- Practicum in Entrepreneurship
- Extended Practicum in Entrepreneurship
The official public comment period for proposed revisions to the TEKS for these courses opened on October 13, 2023, and will close at 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2023.
To view the proposed revisions and submit public comments, visit http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Laws_and_Rules/SBOE_Rules_(TAC)/Proposed_State_Board_of_Education_Rules/.
The SBOE will consider the proposal for second reading and final adoption at its November 2023 meeting.
State CTE Leadership Committee Application
The CTE team continues to accept applications from school and district CTE leaders who are interested in being considered for inclusion in the State CTE Leadership Committee. This committee provides input and recommendations on career and technical education and workforce development initiatives in Texas. The committee works collaboratively with the TEA CTE staff to ensure local education agencies’ needs and challenges inform the development of statewide CTE initiatives. The committee also provides guidance in aligning TEA CTE initiatives to current and emergent industry needs. Committee members solicit and share input from other leaders and industry stakeholders from within their respective education service center (ESC) region.
The committee is composed of one CTE administrator representative from each ESC region. Successful applicants have demonstrated depth of knowledge and experience developing, delivering, and administering CTE programs.
Committee members:
- agree to a 1.5-year term beginning January 1, 2024 and ending August 31, 2025, and
- commit to attending and participating in bimonthly webinar meetings, which are typically 1.5 hours.
The application period ends November 15, 2023. Interested individuals may access the application here.
CTE Professional Development Opportunities
CTE 101
CTE 101 has been refreshed to reflect current legislation and best practices in career and technical education. This course is designed for both new and experienced CTE administrators and secondary school counselors, providing insights regarding Perkins V legislation, labor market information, programs of study, industry-based certifications, and alignment of your CTE program with local workforce demands. This introductory video highlights what you will learn in CTE 101.
CTE 102
CTE 102 is currently in development and will be released in the summer of 2024. This course will focus on K-12 college and career readiness, CTE program evaluation, expansion, and support of CTE teachers.
Professional Development for Administrators and Counselors Related to CTE
For additional training opportunities for new and experienced CTE administrators and secondary school counselors, see New CTE Administrator and Counselor Sessions and Experienced CTE Administrator and Counselor Sessions. These in-person professional development sessions were designed by TEA and presented annually at your regional education service center (ESC). Contact your ESC CTE Specialist for more information.
CTE Look-Up Tables
TXVSN Courses
Highly Mobile and At-Risk 2023-24 Quarterly Webinars
Greetings from the Highly Mobile and At-Risk (HMAR) Student Programs Division. We hope you are having an excellent start to the new school year. It is our pleasure to invite you to join us for our annual series of informative quarterly webinars for the 2023-24 school year. The first webinar is just a few weeks away and we're kicking off the year with some exciting information including:
- Reminders, tips, suggestions, best practices, program updates and announcements intended to help prepare students for a strong start to the year;
- Legislative updates from the 88th Legislature regarding Highly Mobile and At-Risk student populations with implications for professional practice;
- Highly Mobile students and the implications for campus accountability; and
- much more!
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #2 | November 30, 2023 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #3 | February 15, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
HMAR Quarterly Webinar #4 | May 2, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Register Here
TACAC Webinars
Helping Students Plan a Meaningful Summer
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
9:00-10:00 am CST
Hear from high school counselors about ways to work with students to plan engaging, meaningful summers.
Unpacking and Helping Students and Families Understand Financial Aid Offers
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
9:00-10:00 am CST
Hear from college admissions and financial aid officers to learn how high school counselors can help students and families understand the details of and compare offers from different schools.
San Antonio, here we come! The 19th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio on Feb. 4-6, 2024. Next year's theme is Let's Sparkle and Shine! We hope to see you there! #CelebratingBrilliance2024
Virtual Bullying and Cyberbullying Training
Preventing bullying and mitigating its impact begins with a strong understanding of the legal landscape of Texas bullying laws. This virtual Bullying and Cyberbullying Training, offered in collaboration with Safer Schools Together, will walk participants through all Texas bullying and cyberbullying laws, including behaviors that may apply to suspected bullying situations, such as assault, harassment, hazing, stalking, sextortion, dating violence, and related federal laws. Participants will explore Texas mandated expectations for campus staff, rights of victims and parents, related penal code, and determining when behaviors go beyond student discipline and into criminal behavior. Participants will also learn about how bullying manifests on and off campus and how to plan and respond with actionable strategies.
View Dates and RegisterUpcoming Sessions at ESC
Emergency and After Hours Resources
This list is of known providers of particular services. The providers on the list are from a variety of sources. The list is being provided as a courtesy, for information only, and the user should understand that no assurances or guarantees regarding the providers on the list are being made by providing this list. We do not endorse, approve, or recommend any specific provider listed below. This list is not inclusive of all community agencies, services, or organizations that provide the particular service, and the omission of an agency, service, or organization from this list does not imply disapproval. It is the responsibility of the user of this list to determine whether any of the content is of value to them and whether or not the agency, service, or organization meets their specific needs.
________________________________________________________________________
National
- Emergency: (24/7): 911
- Referral Services: (crisis counseling, housing, food, health care, family services): 211 | https://www.211texas.org/
- Suicide Prevention: 988 | 988lifeline.org
- Self-Injury/Cutting: 1-800-366-8288 | selfinjury.com
- Eating Disorders: 1-800-931-2237 | nationaleatingdisorders.org
- Runaway Hotline: 1-800-231-6946 | 1800runaway.org
- Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 | childhelp.org/hotline/
- Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 | rainn.org
- Domestic/Relationship Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org
- Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline | samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- Other resources for developing healthy lifestyles, including mental and emotional help: helpguide.org
ESC 15 Counseling and Mental Health
Email: mentalhealth@esc15.net
Website: https://www.esc15.net/
Phone: (325)658-6571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Region15ESC/
Twitter: @Region15ESC
Lesley Casarez, PhD, CCTS-I, CTP, CSC
Greg Hickey, LPC
(325) 658-6571 x2113
Anne Hardegree, LPC-S
(325) 481-4019
Alex Robles, LPC
(325) 481-4009
Alex Nieto
(325) 481-2151
Ella Nichols, LBSW
(325) 481-4062
Noemi Ucuk
Jessica Flores, LPC, BCBA
(325) 481-4057
Carol Stevens, M.Ed. CSC
McKinney-Vento, HELP Grant, and Counseling
Stephanie Soto
(325) 658-6571
Dava Rabb
(325) 658-6571 ext. 2120