Performance Ratings for Community and Student Engagement: TEA Info

The Texas Education Agency posted information on June 20th regarding reporting requirements for community and student engagement indicators. Please see the posting for full details.

Highlights:

All school districts and charters are required to assign a performance rating of Exemplary, Recognized, Acceptable, or Unacceptable to the district and each campus for overall performance and the following categories:

• Fine arts
• Wellness and physical education
• Community and parental involvement
• The 21st Century Workforce Development program
• The second language acquisition program
• The digital learning environment
• Dropout prevention strategies
• Educational programs for gifted and talented students

View the latest post here.

• Districts are required to post the ratings and compliance statuses for the district and each campus on the school district’s website by Aug. 8.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Region 7 ESC is offering Mental Health Education Training on June 25th and August 12th. This TEA-endorsed training will meet the requirements of SB 460, and is open to teachers, counselors, principals, and all other appropriate personnel. 

This session is a 3-hour training and the service center will offer two sessions on each of the above dates. 

Session numbers for June 25 are 044071 (AM) and 044073 (PM). August 12 sessions are also available: 044075 (AM) and 044077 (PM). 

For more information contact Adrian Knight in the Federal Programs Department at 903-988-6810 or Tricia Honzell at 903-988-6906.

SB 460 requires prospective teachers, counselors, principals, nurses, and all other appropriate personnel to be trained in how to:

· Recognize students at risk of committing suicide, including students who are or may be the victims of or who engage in bullying;

· Recognize students displaying early warning signs and a possible need for early mental health or substance abuse intervention, and

· Intervene effectively with students by providing notice and referral to parent or guardian so appropriate action (such as seeking mental health or substance abuse services) may be taken.

ABC, Easy as 1-2-3 Pre-K and Kindergarten Academy

Instructional leaders and teachers of our youngest students know the dynamic difference they make in closing gaps early, fostering a love for learning and building a strong foundation for success over the span of a child's journey through the grades of our school system.

Did your teachers attend the recent Pre-K and Kindergarten Academy at Region 7 ESC in May? 

Don’t worry if they missed out on the first Academy, called, "ABC, Easy as 1-2-3", it is scheduled again on Oct. 23rd because of popular demand. 

Teachers are encouraged to come join us as we explore ways to put the "cool in school" (pre-school and kindergarten that is!) Teachers will move and groove through a series of cross-curricular stations designed for our early childhood students. 

Participants leave with innovative ideas that will rock their classrooms. But don't take our word for it - watch a video on the blog, "The Essential Seven".  

For more information contact: Amber Johnston Region 7 ESC, ajohnston@esc7.net (903)988-6817 

Next Academy is October 23, 2014 

Save the Date!  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & REGISTER

School Leaders with Head Start, PPCD and Pre-K - Must See EcoLand!

EcoLand Training for Adminstrators

School administrators are invited to attend a preview of EcoLand, Region 7’s new hands-on learning environment for early childhood. Participants will experience a ride through the Serengeti, building with “ice” in the polar region, and a host of other engaging activities.

June 24th Session# 044034
July 25th Session# 044038

Read more about the new space!

Head Start, PPCD, and Regular Pre-K teachers must attend an EcoLand Certification workshop prior to scheduling their classroom visits, so administrators can attend a session to discover what the interactive learning looks like and what their teachers can expect from their training.

EcoLand is more than a fun outing for the kids; it is an actual extension of the classroom, where teachers and assistants teach their students in the exhibit areas. For detailed information please watch this short video and download the flyer.


Download / View the Flier.

Please register for one of the sessions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Legal Q & A: Cheerleading and Title Nine

Legal Issues…

Q: I just learned that the UIL will recognize cheerleading as a sport beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. Does that mean I will be able to consider cheerleading for Title IX purposes?

A: No, at least not yet. While the UIL may recognize cheerleading as a sport, the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (DOE-OCR) does not allow school districts to classify cheerleaders, sideline or competitive, as athletes for purposes of Title IX without specific authorization from the DOE-OCR.

As you know, Tile IX regulations require institutions to “provide equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes.” The DOE-OCR enforces these regulations by comparing participation, amenities, and financial assistance for each athletic program. See 34 C.F.R. § 106.41(c). In 2008, the division released a dear colleague letter that addressed the criteria the DOE-OCR considers when determining if a sport qualifies for purposes of these Title IX comparisons. The two main categories include 1) program structure and administration, and 2) team preparation and competition. At that time, cheerleading did not qualify. With that said, most determinations are very fact specific, and as such, the determination could change in the future once “Game Day Cheer” is analyzed. But until then, take note that UIL’s action in no way impacts Title IX. That is, you do not get to include cheerleaders in your numbers and/or cost comparisons when looking at equality in your male vs. female programs for Title IX purposes.

This update brought to you by the law firm of Karczewski | Bradshaw L.L.P.