Administrators and Counselors: Need GT Training?

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State Will Continue with Plan to Launch New Evaluation System in 2016-2017

Texas Education Agency (TEA) released a press release this week noting that the office of the United States Department of Education (USDE), had rejected the State’s guidelines for a new teacher and principal evaluation system. 

“Based on the review of Texas’ guidelines and taking into account the feedback from the expert peers, I have determined that Texas has not yet adopted guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation and support systems that meet all requirements of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility, nor does it have a process for ensuring that each district in Texas develops, adopts, pilots, and implements teacher and principal evaluation and support systems consistent with those guidelines as required by ESEA flexibility,” wrote Deborah S. Delisle with the USDE.

In 2013, Texas secured a conditional waiver from USDE, that gave school districts and charters relief from certain ESEA provisions. That waiver was provisionally granted as the department reviewed the state’s new teacher and principal evaluation systems. 

In TEA’s press release, Commissioner of Education Michael Williams noted that much of the feedback the USDE provided related to items that would require either statutory changes to TEA authority or specific mandates to school districts from the state.  As the state continues working with USDE on this matter, the commissioner will seek input from state leadership and education stakeholders on the potential future of the state’s waiver.

Williams said that regardless of what occurs with the federal waiver, the state will launch new evaluation systems for teachers and principals in 2016–17.

To view TEA’s press release

To view the letter from USDE to TEA

Effective Practices Yield High Dividends!

Research shows that student achievement is positively influenced by the incorporation of effective, research-based, high-yield instructional strategies that are implemented based on student needs. But do our teachers know just how to effectively incorporate instructional strategies that foster student engagement and increase time on task, leading to improved student performance?

Even the most seasoned teachers need models, practice and training to help them strengthen the role of becoming a skilled facilitator, and to guide students to take ownership of their own learning.

Campus leaders now have the opportunity to provide teachers with a powerful series of learning sessions that will support them and help them effectively incorporate instructional strategies that foster student engagement.

This training, which focuses on High Yield Instructional Strategies works hand in hand with Robert Marzano’s “The Highly Engaged Classroom."
View the series in a shared folder.

Date: February 10, 2015
Time: 9:00 am—4:00 pm
Session: 047583

Region 7 ESC, Oak Room

A webinar series is also available on each of the instructional strategies, which can be accessed on demand.  This is a great support for collaborative learning teams or individual teachers.

Presenter: Vicki Weatherford
vweatherford@esc7.net

Contact: Tricia Honzell
thonzell@esc7.net

903.988.6850

Fee Waived for members of: Title I Complete, Title I, Part A
SSA, Title II, Part A SSA, Focus Schools

Geometry in Construction: Real-World Engaging Instruction

Are you looking for ways to include real-world applications in math class, and to integrate academic and CTE skills and knowledge?  Then take a look at Geometry in Construction, which is an integrated, contextualized geometry and construction program intended to increase achievement scores and provide an engaging learning sessions for students!

Geometry in Construction—geometry taught in the context of construction—is currently taught by several mathematics and construction teachers in the region. The content of the traditional geometry curriculum, which is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

Principals and administrators are encouraged to email or phone in questions for the panel discussion. The session will be recorded for future access.

Geometry in Construction Panel Review

February 10, 2015
1:30 – 3:30

Are you searching for a way to make Math/Geometry relevant to the students?

Teachers of Math and Career Technology Education, who have been teaching the program Geometry in Construction, will provide a question and answer time for districts.  Educators from any districts will be able to call or email questions regarding the Geometry in Construction curriculum.

For more information contact
Sherry Morton smorton@esc7.net 903-988-6743
Adrian Knight aknight@esc7.net 903-988-6743

Motivating the Underachieving Student who is Academically Gifted

Underachieving students have a significant gap between their ability - what they produce - and what they achieve in the classroom. 

In this 6 hour Gifted/Talented update, participants will look at various strategies to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. Please forward this email to any teachers you know that need a 6 hour G/T update!

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