COUNSELOR CONNECTION
ESC Region15
JANUARY 2021
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Follow this LINK for additional information on how to observe this day.
State Board of Education Rules
The following rule actions were filed with the Texas Register for publication in the December 18, 2020 issue:
Summary: The proposed amendment would update the rule to align with the requirement in House Bill 3, 86th Texas Legislature, 2019, that students complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA) as a requirement for high school graduation.
First Reading and Filing Authorization: November 2020 SBOE meeting
Public Comment Period: December 18, 2020-5:00 p.m. on January 22, 2021. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in January 2021 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed SBOE rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: August 1, 2021
Please see the TEA website to view proposed State Board of Education rules.
Commissioner of Education Rules
The following rule actions were filed with the Texas Register for publication in the December 25, 2020 issue:
Summary: The proposed amendment would add the new Texas Success Initiative Assessment, Version 2.0 (TSIA2) to the list of approved substitute assessments.
Figure: Substitute Assessments Standards
Publication in the Texas Register: December 25, 2020
Public Comment Period: December 25, 2020-January 25, 2021. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: April 4, 2021
Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.
Commissioner of Education Rules
The following rule actions were filed with the Texas Register for publication in the January 1, 2021 issue:
Summary: The proposed new rule would specify applicable guidelines for the annual calculation of the college, career, or military readiness (CCMR) outcomes bonus added by House Bill 3, 86th Texas Legislature, 2019.
Publication in the Texas Register: January 1, 2021
Public Comment Period: January 1, 2021-February 1, 2021. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: April 4, 2021
Summary: The proposed repeal would remove the rule since its authorizing statute has expired.
Publication in the Texas Register: January 1, 2021
Public Comment Period: January 1, 2021-February 1, 2021. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: April 4, 2021
UPCOMING OBSERVANCE FOR FEBRUARY
Transition Assistance for Highly Mobile Students Who Are Homeless or in Substitute Care
As the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year begins, please keep the following statute in mind concerning students in substitute care.
§89.1605. Development of Systems to Ease Transitions and Establish Procedures to Lessen the Adverse Impact of Movement of a Student.
(b) A school district or an open-enrollment charter school shall convene an enrollment conference with the student within the first two weeks of enrollment or within the first two weeks after the student is identified as homeless or in substitute care.
LINK to full statute:
Chapter 89. Adaptations for Special PopulationsSubchapter FF. Commissioner's Rules Concerning Transition Assistance for Highly Mobile Students Who Are Homeless or in Substitute Care
Foster Care & Student Success/Concho Valley Consortium Session
Transition Assistance for Highly Mobile Students Who Are Homeless or in Substitute Care
As the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year begins, please keep the following statute in mind concerning students who are homeless..
§89.1605. Development of Systems to Ease Transitions and Establish Procedures to Lessen the Adverse Impact of Movement of a Student.
(b) A school district or an open-enrollment charter school shall convene an enrollment conference with the student within the first two weeks of enrollment or within the first two weeks after the student is identified as homeless or in substitute care.
LINK to full statute:
Chapter 89. Adaptations for Special PopulationsSubchapter FF. Commissioner's Rules Concerning Transition Assistance for Highly Mobile Students Who Are Homeless or in Substitute Care
Upcoming Webinar
Texas OnCourse is hosting a free webinar to cover alternative options available to students. Get ready to expand your knowledge on Texas certification programs, community college programs, technical school offerings, and innovative concepts like coding bootcamps that offer skills in high-need areas. Hear from experts in the field on program offerings from these institutions. Date: January 12, 2021 Time: 10:00 a.m. (CT)
Upcoming Future Focused Texas Webinars
Alternative Opportunities to Four-Year Degree Programs
When: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10:00AM
Host: Texas OnCourse
https://page.texasoncourse.org/register-for-alternative-opportunities-to-four-year-degree-programs-webinar
"What Happens When "Good Enough" Displaces "College Match?"
When: Feb 3, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://EdTX.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErdO-qrjkuH9P4peD0fl8v8xrWW6NCrTTF
FAFSA Completion Series (Parts 1 and 2)
When: January 20, 2021 from 10:30am to 2:30pm
Host: uAspire
Register HERE
Whether you have decades of experience with the FAFSA or you are just starting out, this is a great look under the hood of the most frequently used financial aid form. This training will walk you through the online form, give you opportunities to practice with complex scenarios, and highlight the potential pitfalls all practitioners and students should be aware of. No matter your experience level, you will learn something new! Highlights include: best practices for working with special student populations; dependency/independency and parental requirements; and tips for completing the financial section of the FAFSA with confidence.
Student Aid Report & Verification + FAFSA Completion Q&A
When: February 3, 2021 from 9:00am to 11:00am
Host: uAspire
Register HERE
The FAFSA may feel like the entire financial aid process but, in reality, it is just the beginning. There are many more steps needed to ensure your students receive the financial aid they deserve. This training will address common challenges and best practices of FAFSA follow up, including the importance of reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR) for potential issues, navigating special circumstances that may arise, and handling the complexity of verification, both federal and institutional. Participants will have opportunities to practice with scenarios and develop ways to build SAR and verification programming into their work. This session will also include a Q&A opportunity for FAFSA related topics.
National Summit for Dual Credit Programs
When: March 7-9 2021
Host: South Texas College
Register HERE
The National Summit for Dual Credit Programs is a premier conference tailored for higher education institutions, school district personnel, and State/National entities. The National Summit for Dual Credit Programs is hosted by South Texas College, which has one of the largest dual credit programs in the State of Texas with over 16,000 students. South Texas College's Dual Credit Programs was the first in the State of Texas to receive accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership (NACEP). The National Summit for Dual Credit Programs will provide attendees with valuable information and key takeaways regarding dual credit and college readiness.
- YMHFA - Assisting Someone Distressed by the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Supporting Children and Teens during this Holiday Season
- Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic-Grief Related to COVID-19
- Holidays, Celebration and Traumatically Bereaved Children
School Safety and Mental Health
- Suicide Prevention
- Early Mental Health Intervention
- Mental Health Promotion
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Substance Abuse Intervention
- Trauma-Informed & Grief Informed Practices
- Social/Emotional Skills
- Positive Behavior Interventions
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Human Trafficking
- School Safety
- Mental Health and Behavioral Health
- Safe and Supportive School Climate
- Counseling and Mental Health Services of the Coordinated School Health Model
- Health, Safety, & Discipline
Training
COVID-19
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:
Carol Stevens, M.Ed.
Region 15 Education Service Center
Office: (325) 481-4047
Cell: (325) 651-0101
Gregory Hickey, LPC
Mental Health Specialist
Region 15 Education Service Center
Office: (325) 658-6571 ext. 2113
Cell: (325) 650-8261