TEA released 2020 Annual Report and SY 2019‐20 Pocket Edition

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced that the 2020 Annual Report and the 2019-20 School Year (SY) Pocket Edition are now available online.

The 2020 Annual Report highlights areas of progress within the Texas public school systems and describes where investments must be maintained to ensure the ongoing success of student outcomes. The 2020 report chronicles TEA’s response to the pandemic, the recruitment and retainment of teachers and principals, reading and math learning models, college readiness, and the improvement of low performing schools.

The SY 2019-20 Pocket Edition provides an overview on the Texas student population, students by program, Special Education services, Kindergarten readiness, and a summary of public education spending for the 2019 fiscal year.

Board Training - Team of Eight

Each session will begin at 6:00 P.M. with a meal and a one hour training on Safe and Supportive School Programs for Board Responsibilities. Team of Eight training will then follow. Each participant will leave with 4 hours of board training. ($500 per board)

February 10 – Bangs ISD – Bangs Middle School Cafeteria (max 6 boards) – 6:00 P.M.

February 23 – Region 15 - Conference Center (max 6 boards) – 6:00 P.M.

February 24 – Junction ISD – Junction Middle School Library (max 4 boards) - 6:00 P.M.

March 3 – Region 15 – Conference Center (max 6 boards) - 6:00 P.M.

Please register your board for training with Sheri Durham sheri.durham@esc15.net

Teacher Incentive Allotment - District Contact for TEA

Districts who have not submitted contact information or an Letter of Intent, please complete the link to ensure communication of Teacher Incentive Alotment reports if you employ a designated teacher - https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6o0ZMXwWkfINiXb

Teacher Incentive Allotment Training Zoom sessions

March 3, 2021 – 1:00 to 4:400 Student Growth Update and Spending Plans (TRS and TASB Policy) Session 037854

April 7, 2021 – 1:00 to 4:00 Application Review and Data Collection Session 037856

Upcoming Zoom Changes

Last week, we heard from Zoom that the 40 minute time limit will be reinstated on all FREE BASIC ACCOUNTS on July 31, 2021. Zoom had temporarily removed this limit for school districts due to COVID-19. If you received your licensing through Region 15, you have an EDU license which does not have a time limit. If you are relying on these FREE BASIC ACCOUNTS, then you will need to take these changes into consideration for next year. You can contact Randon Lance (randon.lance@esc15.net) for more information.

February Monthly Reminders are located at the end of the newsletter.

Laura Strube

325-481-4065

laura.strube@esc15.net

For business and finance needs, contact

Henri Gearing
830-683-7615
henri.gearing@esc15.net

STAAR Writing Ready for 4th and 7th

Find session details HERE.

Gear up your students to be successful on their STAAR Reading 2021 assessment!

Grades 3-5 STAAR Reading Field Test Questions

Find session details HERE.

TEKSCon is Coming!

July 27-29, 2021

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

San Antonio, TX

Find more information HERE.

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ESC Region 15 is offering a face-to-face PPR review/test prep session on February 25, 2021. Due to test security, this session cannot be offered virtually. To register, use this link: https://mis.esc15.net/CatWksp.asp?type=subject&Subject=All+Educators&Wksp_Num=022677

Registration closes on February 18, 2021. For more information, please contact Torrey Clay at 325-481-4045 or Brenda Moeller at 325-658-6571.

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FaBOOKalous Fridays

Live Author Visits Every Friday at 10:30 am

You, teachers, and students are invited to...

join us each Friday morning for the opportunity to experience authors from around the globe as they graciously lead a session for the students, teachers, and sometimes parents, in Region 15. While sharing their stories, they have been able to weave inspiring and instructional words leading all to pursue the art of reading and writing to deeper levels.

The ZOOM opens at 10:15 for classes and virtual students to begin joining for the 10:30 session, and we would LOVE to 'see' you there!

Find more information and schedules HERE.

Questions from the Chat Box: Lit and Lunch with Vivian Kirkfield--From Here to There

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Remote & Hybrid Instructional Best Practices Statewide Series

Webinar series in a “See It, Name It, Do It” format with relevant, actionable best practices that can be implemented in any grade and content area. These are turnkey trainings designed for LEAs to turn around and deliver at the district or campus level.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Theresa Spewak at Theresa.spewak@tea.texas.gov.

Audience:

• LEA Curriculum & Instruction Leadership
• Campus Leaders
• Instructional Coaches
• Teacher Leaders
• Teachers

Session 6: Giving High Quality Feedback to Students - Feb. 10th 1:30-3:00

Strategies for giving high-quality feedback on lessons, assignments and assessments in a remote or hybrid setting

For your curriculum and instruction needs, please contact

David Bedford

325-481-4023

david.bedford@esc15.net

For your data service needs, please contact

Melissa Anthony

Data Service Coordinator

325-481-4093

melissa.anthony@esc15.net

The following workshops are now scheduled for the spring.

February

16th—CNA/CIP (Register here)

17th—Certification Fundamentals (Register here)

25th—Proclamation 2021 for Pre-K (Register here)

March

1st-3rd—AEL (Register here)

3rd—TIA Cohort D: Spending Plans (Register here)

24th-25th—Staffing and Master Schedule (Register here)

April

7th—TIA Cohort D: Application Review and Data Collection (Register here)

19th-21st—T-TESS (Register here)

For Administrative Services assistance, please contact

Robin Graves

325-481-4026

robin.graves@esc15.net

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In place of the face to face textbook showcase (previously scheduled 2/25) we have coordinated with publishers to offer a 1-hour preview of PreK instructional materials. The calendar is linked on the ESC 15 Instructional Materials home page. Sessions begin January 26. Visit the Updated PreK Calendar of Events to register.

Please check with your elementary principal and see if they submitted the PreK Contact - Proclamation 2021 form some of the publishers would like to send materials to districts prior to their zoom session.

Also, the ESC Region 15 Proclamation 2021 Preview Sign Up form is available for anyone who would like to schedule a time to preview materials. PreK materials will be displayed in the conference center Feb. 24-26. No publishers will be present.

If you would like to be added to the ESC 15 textbook listserv, monthly Instructional materials newsletter or have questions related to proclamations, please contact traci.terrill@esc15.net or 325-481-4074.

For Federal Programs assistance, please contact

Robin Graves

325-481-4026

robin.graves@esc15.net

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If you have Special Education-specific questions, please contact:

Jam Page

Special Education Director

jam.page@esc15.net

325-481-4054

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Accountability and Assessment –

Ensure Federal Report Card and School Report Card have been released and distributed

TELPAS window opens

Administration and Leadership –

Develop district goals

Develop school calendar 2021-2022

Review Valedictorian & Salutatorian selection

Update Ask TED

Charter Specific –

Charter Amendments close April 1st

Expansion amendments open (TAC§100.1033(b)(9)&(10))

Update Ask TED with TEA Charter Division

Federal and State Programs –

Review/implement district/campus improvement plans in accordance with district planning process (TEC§11.251)

Finance –

Begin bid for depository contract (due June 15th)

Calculate State Aid using end of fourth six weeks’ student data

Establish scope and details of financial audit

Calculate enrollment projections

Review student attendance figures as compared to prior year and budget projections

Review preliminary 20120 CPTD Values

Appeal preliminary 2020 CPTD Values, if necessary

Begin budget calendar and budget process for 2021-2022

Food and Nutrition –

Food Service Management Company Request for Proposal deadline is February 15th

Verification Report deadline is February 1st

School Board –

*Call Trustee election for May

Review Superintendent evaluation instrument & procedures, including training for new Trustees

*Administrator contracts

Review schedule for Texas Public Schools Week

*Approve school calendar

Schedule Board candidate workshop

*Approve waivers as needed

Special Education –

Begin budget process for 2021-2022

Final TEAL TSDS Core (SPPI-14) submission due February 18th for 2020-2021 student data

Monitor special education expenditures from the general fund to ensure on track for MOE (Maintenance of Effort) compliance

Texas Student Data System/PEIMS –

Crisis Codes 1A, 1B, and 1C submission due to TSDS on February 5th

PEIMS Mid-Year resubmission due to TEA on February 11th

PEIMS Fall data available to customers on February 11th

ECDS Kindergarten data available to customers on February 11th

TSDS State Performance Plan Indicator 14 (SPPI-14) submission due by February 18th

TSDS Classroom Roster winter snapshot date February 26th

*Requires Board action/approval