School Improvement and Leadership
April 17, 2020
Grants, Grants and More Grant Info
Guidance on districts’ current School Improvement Grant and allowable expenditures in relation to Instructional Continuity can be found here- Federal Funding and Grants FAQ
TEA is currently working on an FAQ document for the TTIPS Grant to assist with support and resources related to this funding source.
Here are additional COVID-19 related FAQ documents that you may find helpful-
Coronavirus Costs and CARES Act Documentation FAQ
Expedited COVID Federal Grant Fiscal Waiver Request to USDE (April 10, 2020)
Reminder: Comprehensive Funding Report reviews
School Improvement specialists at TEA are continuing to review and develop feedback for districts on the Comprehensive Mid-year Funding Report. However, at this time, specialists will hold feedback until an appropriate time to share with DCSIs.
Instructional Continuity Grant
-For LEAs with Title I, Targeted Support and Improvement campuses to increase their capacity to facilitate instructional accountability (updated eligibility list )
-District awards will range between $10,500 and $220,000, depending on number of Targeted Support and Improvement campuses (does not include additional targeted support and improvement campuses)
-Eligible LEAs can apply by submitting an electronic application to grantapplications@tea.texas.gov
-Pre-award costs will be allowable from March 13, 2020 and the grant end date will be July 30, 2021
-Districts can reserve up to 50% to support federally identified campuses that are Title I and within one link in the feeder pattern. (Similar to SIG grant)
A Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document has been posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities page for this specific grant.
As of April 16th, only 82 of the 606 eligible districts have submitted a grant application. Please remember more money is at large if districts fail to apply for their share.
Accountability Updates
TEA School Improvement Guidance
New FAQs of Interest-
How will the statewide application of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster to all schools and districts in SY 2019-2020 affect the data used in the calculation of 2020-2021 accountability?
Decisions regarding accountability for the 2020-2021 school year have not yet been made. Two advisory groups will have an opportunity to provide input into these decisions: the Accountability Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC), comprised of representatives from school districts and regional education service centers; and the Accountability Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) comprised of representatives from legislative offices, school districts, and the business community. TEA will work with these stakeholders to determine how the accountability system will be affected in 2020-2021.
Will 2019-2020 PEIMS Summer Submission records have any effect on 2020-2021 accountability?
How any lagging data indicators reported in 2019–2020 will be used in 2020–2021 accountability is to be determined, based on decisions made in consultation with ATAC and APAC, as described above.
How will schools that were rated unacceptable or triggered HB1842 during the previous year will be treated in 2020-2021 after the 2019-2020 application of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster?
Any ordered sanctions and interventions carried out by districts and/or campuses in school year 2019- 2020 will carry over and continue for school year 2020-2021.
Assessment Info
- Fitnesgram Assessment and Reporting Guidance (PDF) March 27 2020
- Guidance on Grading and Graduation Requirements (PDF) March 30 2020
- SAT, ACT, TSIA, AP/IB FAQ (PDF) April 7 2020
- English Learner Guidance (TELPAS and LPAC) (PDF) April 17 2020
HB3 Reading Academies
Due to COVID-19, the Region 18 ESC Texas Reading Academies will begin registration on July 1, 2020. Region 18 ESC will continue to send you any updates related to the 2020-2021 Reading Academies, per TEA. Please visit our Region 18 Texas Reading Academies website for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Gabriel.
432.425.7570
Teacher Incentive Allotment
Region 18 Resource Page
Region 18 Trainings
June 2nd- Blended Learning in the Classroom Please check Workshop Schedule here
June 3rd- 4th-- Texas Instructional Leadership (TIL) Support in action Coaching Please Check Workshop Schedule here
June 9th -11th - AEL Register here
June 16-18th - T-TESS Training for Administrators Please Check Workshop Schedule here
June 23rd-25th - Assistant Principal Leadership Academy Register here
June 24th-25th - T-PESS Register here
July 14th - DMAC Academy : Day 1 State Data Appraisals and School Plans- Register here
July 15th - DMAC Academy : Day 2 Local Assessments Data and More- Register here
July 16th - DMAC Academy: Day 3 Creating Student Plans and Documentation Register here
July 14th-16th - AEL Please Check Workshop Schedule here
July 21st-23rd - T-TESS Training for Administrators Please Check Workshop Schedule here
July 22nd-24th - 1st Year and New Principal Bootcamp Please Check Workshop Schedule here
July 27th- Blended Learning in the Classroom Please check Workshop Schedule here
July 29th-30th - T-PESS Register here
July 21st am or pm - Chapter 37 Discipline Law and Order Refresher Please Check Workshop Schedule here
July 29th - Circle-Up for Restorative Practices Register here
August 11th-13th - T-TESS Training for Administrators Please Check Workshop Schedule here
August 26th-27th - T-PESS Register here
Sept. 15th- Blended Learning in the Classroom Please check Workshop Schedule here