COUNSELOR CONNECTION
ESC Region15
DECEMBER 14, 2020
WISHING YOU A PEACEFUL WINTER BREAK!
ESC 15 will be closed from 1:00 pm Friday, December 18 to 8:00 am Monday, January 4th.
QUICK ACCESS TO SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
Texas Education Agency Pauses A-F Ratings For 2020-21 School Year
AUSTIN, Texas – December 10, 2020 – The Texas Education Agency announced today that A-F ratings would be paused for 2020-21 school year due to the ongoing disruptions associated with COVID-19. The STAAR test will proceed for the 2020-21 school year in order to provide critically important information about individual student learning that teachers and parents can use to help students grow. For those schools that incorporate STAAR results into teacher evaluations, TEA is providing flexibility to allow them to remove that component this school year.
Ensuring that STAAR is made available has been recognized as vital by education leaders around the state. STAAR results will allow schools, teachers, and parents to see how individual students are performing while also giving education leaders and policymakers across Texas a comprehensive picture of what are likely to be sweeping impacts of the pandemic on student learning, helping policymakers craft solutions for the years ahead. However, the STAAR will not be used for accountability purposes this school year.
“The last nine months have been some of the most disruptive of our lives. The challenges have been especially pronounced for our parents, teachers, and students. We continue to prioritize the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in our schools this year, while working to ensure students grow academically,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
“The issuance of A-F ratings for schools has proven to be a valuable tool to support continuous improvement for our students, allowing educators, parents, and the general public to better identify and expand efforts that are working for kids. But the pandemic has disrupted school operations in fundamental ways that have often been outside the control of our school leaders, making it far more difficult to use these ratings as a tool to support student academic growth. As a result, we will not issue A-F ratings this school year,” added Morath.
School systems are required to make STAAR available to every eligible student. The test will be administered on school campuses across the state or at other secure alternative testing sites. The test is an assessment of the grade level expectations of Texas students, with questions designed by subject matter experts and committees of Texas teachers to measure how well students have mastered knowledge and skills in various grades and subjects. STAAR will continue to be administered only in secure environments to ensure the results remain valid and reliable.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships: Now Available for Juniors
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program is now available for all juniors. Since 2018, nearly one million students have joined this program, which provides students with a digital college planning guide and chances to earn $500 for each action they complete. When students complete all six steps, they earn a chance at a $40,000 scholarship. Students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year have double the chances to earn scholarships.
High school juniors can visit cb.org/opportunity to join. This year, the College Board Opportunity Scholarships is introducing some changes, all to support more students with planning and paying for college, especially in these challenging times:
· More Winners: Starting with the class of 2022, the program will recognize even more students. More than 7,000 students will earn a scholarship each year, nearly double the number of winners recognized in previous years.
· New Explore Scholarships Step: There is a new step to help students find other scholarships that may be a good fit for them. Students can earn chances at $500 scholarships by exploring a personalized list of scholarships and other aid on College Board Scholarship Search.
· Practice for the SAT Step: This simplified step guides students to get started with personalized skill recommendations, a best practice behavior associated with higher score gains. Students can become eligible for $500 scholarships by completing one Timed Mini Section or one Diagnostic Quiz on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy.
The earlier juniors get started, the more opportunities to earn scholarships!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
TSI Assessment, 2.0 (TSIA2) Learning Resources Live Demonstration
Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 1-2:30 p.m. (CT)
With the launch of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment, Version 2.0 (TSIA2) on January 11, 2021, both students and educators will have access to a new and free tool, TSIA2 Learning Resources. Powered by Pearson’s Perspective platform, TSIA2 Learning Resources is an online library of instructional and practice materials directly related TSIA2 content. After the live demonstration, THECB staff will provide guidance on suggested use and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Webinar highlights include:
- How to navigate TSIA2 Learning Resources
- How TSIA2 Learning Resources can be used in preparation for the TSIA2
- How students can use a Learning Locator Code for customized access to TSIA2 Learning Resources based on diagnostic test performance
- Educator accounts and features (e.g., create customized assignments, share assignments with students, etc.)
Training credit for TSIA platform Institution Administrators
If you are a TSIA platform Institution Administrator (IA), attending this session will count towards Session #4 (TSIA2 Learning Resources) of the required TSIA2 trainings. At time of registration, please indicate you are an IA.
Have questions? Let us know in advance
You may submit questions in advance of the webinar using the following link, https://tinyurl.com/TSIA2LR. Responses will be used to inform webinar content. You do not have to attend the webinar to submit questions, but please do so by 12 noon (CT) on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Unable to attend
For those unable to access the webinar live, a recording of each webinar will be available on or before COB, Monday, December 21, 2020 on the THECB’s YouTube Channel using search term "TSIA2" or link, https://tinyurl.com/TSIA2Rec.
Building the Capacity of All Families Virtual Training
The Title I Part A Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative announces the training by Steve Constantino, Building the Capacity of All Families.
Dr. Steve Constantino will focus on how to create a truly inviting culture for successful community and family partnerships. Participants will build an awareness of the important role of family engagement in the academic lives of children and will be given tools to achieve authentic family engagement that is linked to learning.
- This is a VIRTUAL two-day training
- It is offered two times, March 1-2 and March 10-11, 2021
- The registration fee is $35.00 per person, and make payment to IMP/International Meeting Planners
- Register through IMP/International Meeting Planners,https://buildingallfamilies.com/
- The Zoom link will be provided after registration (and possibly only a week or two before the event)
Hope you will be able to join in March for this timely and relevant event!
RESOURCES
New Toolkit: COVID-19 and Mental Health Considerations Amid Reintegration to School
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented change to schools and has significantly impacted children, their families, and school staff. The Texas School Safety Center has developed a new toolkit to address mental health considerations for supporting students, staff, and parents in the transition back to school. These mental health considerations are divided into eight topics:
1) Impact of Stress and Trauma
2) Re-engaging Disconnected Students
3) Abuse, Neglect and Domestic Violence
4) Bullying in the Classroom
5) Child and Mental Health Awareness
6) Non-Suicidal Self Injury
7) Substance Use
8) Developing Resiliency
Each topic includes information applicable to a school setting, key takeaways, and additional resources. Whether students return in-person or participate in a mixture of remote and in-person instruction, proactively providing behavioral health services and supports in the school environment can help prevent academic and emotional decline.
The toolkit may be downloaded by topic or in its entirety.
Texas Workforce Commission Webinars
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has been working with our academic partners to create a webinar series that features our role with The Foundation High School Program legislation (HB 5) in an effort to help all academic audiences learn about and understand how to use all of the TWC resources available to the public. In addition, these webinars highlight what we do, as a state agency, for students, parents, teachers, counselors, and all academics in regard to career and college exploration. Please take a look at any of the webinars you think may be useful to you, and don’t forget to browse the corresponding Q&A documents that accompany each webinar. Also feel free to share the webinar content, this website, and/or our contact information with anyone you think the TWC can help in regard to all things relating to the new Foundation High School Program and the endorsement options Texas students have. For comments, questions, or webinar content requests, please email careerinformation@twc.state.tx.us. Additional webinars are available at https://lmci.state.tx.us/counselors/presentations/presentations.asp.
11/20 Webinar.
November 18, 2020
11/20 Webinar Power Point Presentation
11/20 Webinar Notes
View the 11/20 Webinar Video
"Knowledge for College" Digital Content Package
Click HERE to view the newest Digital Counselor Package, which features articles, videos, and downloadable resources on FASFA, financial aid, and more college application support. Check these resources out, pass them along to students, post them in your virtual classroom, or link them on your school website!
For more information, and to view the rest of the Digital Counselor Packages, visit Get Schooled's FFTX landing page.
For general information about the campaign, and to sign up to receive email updates, visit the FFTX homepage!
HIGHLY MOBILE & AT-RISK DIVISION WEBSITES
Child Abuse and Maltreatment Prevention: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Safe_and_Healthy_Schools/Child_Abuse_Prevention/Child_Abuse_Prevention_Overview/
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Support_for_At-Risk_Schools_and_Students/Texas_Education_for_Homeless_ Children_and_Youth_(TEHCY)_Program/
Human Trafficking Prevention: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Human_Trafficking_of_School-aged_Children/
Mental and Behavioral Health: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Mental_He alth/Mental_Health_and_Behavioral_Health/
Pregnancy Related Services: https://tea.texas.gov/texas_schools/safe_and_healthy_schools/pregnancy_related_services/
Military Connected Students: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Military_Family_Resources/
Hurricane Harvey Recovery Mental Health Resources for Schools: https://tea.texas.gov/Harvey_Recovery_MH/
Foster Care and Student Success: