Grades 3-8 Math STAAR to be Excluded from 2015 Ratings

Commissioner of Education Michael Williams announced that results of 2015 State of TexasAssessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) in mathematics for grades 3–8 will be excluded from the 2015 state accountability system.

According to the press release published on the TEA website, Commissioner Williams reached his decision following numerous discussions with math teachers, parents and superintendents across the state regarding new curriculum standards in mathematics for grades K–8. New rigorous math standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in April 2012 with implementation now taking place this current school year.

“The teachers I have spoken with have confidence that Texas students will, in time, adjust to the more rigorous math standards, but for accountability purposes asked for a transition year,” said Commissioner Williams. “Based on what I hear from those working in the classroom, I agree and will not count grades 3–8 math assessment results in 2015 accountability ratings for schools, charters and districts.”

Although the grades 3–8 math assessment results will not be part of the 2015 state accountability system, campus-level results will still be reported to school districts and charters. The results, based on actual student performance standards, will be provided to school districts, charters and parents in early September.

TEA Announces Early College High School Designations

Commissioner of Education Michael Williams recently announced final approval of 44 Early College High School (ECHS) designations for the 2015-2016 school year. With these designations, Texas will become home to 154 ECHS campuses across the state, several of which are in Region 7 area.

Early college high schools are innovative high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and either an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. Under this model, an ECHS provides dual credit at no cost to students; offers rigorous instruction and accelerated courses; provides academic and social support services to help students succeed; increases college readiness; and reduces barriers to college access.

“School districts continue to see the value in providing an avenue for students to not only earn college credit, but also potentially earn an associate’s degree while still in high school,” said Commissioner Williams. “Texas remains a national leader in the early college high schools and will continue to be as more districts and charters embrace this innovative concept.”

School districts, charters and campuses given final approval for a 2015-2016 ECHS designation include:

·         Abilene ISD – Holland Medical Early College High School

·         Alice ISD – Alice Early College High School

·         Austin ISD – South Austin Early College High School at Travis

·         Brownsville ISD – Gladys Porter Early College High School

·         Del Valle ISD – Del Valle Early College High School

·         Diboll ISD/Hudson ISD/Lufkin ISD – Angelina County Cooperative CTE Early College High School

·         Dilley ISD – Dilley Early College High School

·         Ector County ISD – ECISD Early College High School Academy

·         Fort Worth ISD – Tarrant County College South/Fort Worth ISD Collegiate High School

·         Freer ISD – Freer Early College High School

·         Galena Park ISD – Galena Park Career and Technical Early College High School

·         Grand Prairie ISD – Grand Prairie Early College High School

·         Grand Prairie ISD – South Grand Prairie Early College High School

·         Harlingen CISD – Harlingen High School

·         Harlingen CISD – Harlingen High School South

·         Hays CISD – Hays Early College High School

·         Jim Hogg County ISD – Hebbronville Early College High School

·         Karnes City ISD – Karnes City High School Early College High School

·         Killeen ISD – Killeen ISD Early College High School

·         La Vega ISD – La Vega Early College High School

·         Longview ISD – Longview Early College High School

·         Miami ISD – Miami High School

·         Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD – Pecos High School

·         Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD – PSJA Elvis J. Ballew High School

·         Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD – PSJA College, Career and Technology Academy

·         Riviera ISD – Riviera Seahawk Early College Academy

·         Royal ISD – Royal STEM Academy

·         San Antonio ISD – Early College Academy at G. W. Brackenridge High School with St. Philip's College

·         San Diego ISD – San Diego Early College High School

·         San Felipe Del Rio CISD – Del Rio Early College High School

·         Slaton ISD – Slaton High School

·         Socorro ISD – Socorro Early College

·         South San Antonio ISD – South San Antonio Early College High School

·         Tioga ISD – Tioga Early College High School

·         Tyler ISD – Tyler ISD Early College High School

·         United ISD – United Early College High School

·         Weslaco ISD – Weslaco Early College High School

·         Weslaco ISD – Weslaco East Early College High School

·         West Oso ISD – West Oso High School

·         Wink-Loving ISD – Wink-Loving Early College Academy

In addition to the ECHS designations listed above, four ECHS campuses with a career technical education (CTE) focus will be designated as part of the tri-agency CTE ECHS Initiative by the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission. School districts and campuses to be designated as part of the CTE ECHS Initiative include:

·         Alief ISD – Alief CTE Early College High School

·         Dallas ISD – H. Grady Spruce High School

·         Ector County ISD – Odessa College Technical Early College High School

·         Houston ISD – Houston CTE Early College High School

A school district or charter must obtain an ECHS designation from the Texas Education Agency to allow high school students to enroll in more than two dual credit courses per semester and enroll in dual credit coursework with freshman or sophomore standing.

School districts and charters approved for an ECHS designation must complete technical assistance activities during the spring. In addition, a final, signed memorandum of understanding with an institution of higher education partner must be submitted to TEA before the start of the 2015 school year.

More information about early college high schools can be found on the TEA web site at http://tea.texas.gov/index2.aspx?id=4464&menu_id=814.

Nominations are Open: You Can Make a Difference

Nominations Open for Texas Teacher of the Year

Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher. Facilitated by TASA, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Learn more or nominate a teacher.

Two President's Awards Honor Student Achievement and Citizenship

The President's Education Awards Program gives you the opportunity to honor both student achievement and hard work with the Nation's most prestigious awards for individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education. With the American Citizenship Award, you can empower role models in your school to shine. Learn more.

Celebrate Assistant Principals with a Special Recognition

Celebrate your assistant principal during National Assistant Principals Week, April 13-17.
This is a great time to honor and recognize the contributions of assistant principals to the success of students.

Activity Ideas for Parents, Teachers and Students

Activity Ideas for Principals 

Pinterest Board: Assistant Principal

Principal Surveys to Evaluate Texas Educator Preparation Programs

Texas Education Agency (TEA) has distributed a survey to campus principals across the state today, Tuesday, April 7, 2015. All surveys must be submitted by Monday, June 15, 2015.

The survey will collect data regarding the performance of first-year teachers and the effectiveness of educator preparation programs in preparing first-year teachers to succeed in the classroom.    

Texas Education Code (TEC) §21.045 and Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs, require accountability standards for Texas educator preparation programs. Current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules require each principal who has a first-year teacher on his or her campus to complete a brief survey.

Prior to the distribution of the survey, superintendents, human resources personnel, and principals will have access to training modules posted on the TEA website about how to complete and submit the surveys. The surveys are located in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) for principals with first-year teachers on their campus.  Principals will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits upon completion of each survey. Additional information regarding the survey will be emailed to superintendents, human resources personnel, and principals using email addresses in the Texas Education Directory (AskTED). If you have not already done so already, please confirm with your TED administrator that your district and campus TED contact information has been updated by Wednesday, March 11 so that you and your staff are able to receive this important information.

TEA will begin the survey collection on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. All surveys must be submitted by Monday, June 15, 2015. 

Questions regarding principal survey can be submitted to principalsurvey@tea.texas.gov.
For more information, visit the TEA website, or contact Viviana Lopez, Texas Education Agency
principalsurvey@tea.texas.gov

iBooks and eBooks from TCEA

Did you know the Texas Computer Education Association, TCEA has iBooks available in the iTunes

store? Books are specifically designed for viewing and interactivity on your iPad,

The iPad in Elementary: Science ($2.99) and The iPad in Elementary: ELA ($2.99) include lesson plans, recommended content, and iPad tips and tricks that can help you engage young learners. Both books have received great comments from educators

You'll also find some free photo iBooks from TCEA events, including the 2013 Convention & Exposition, the 2013 Tots and Technology summer conference, and the 2013 state robotics contest. These free titles offer a glimpse of events you might not yet know about, and they may also inspire you to create your own iBooks with your students.

What topics would make for a useful guidebook on your campus? The TCEA team is preparing to create eBooks on a variety of trending topics in education, including GBL, PBL, and social media in schools. These guides will offer thought leadership, tools, recommendations, and best practices. Email Alexis with suggestions or ideas that would support your teaching and learning.

TEA to Launch Pilot for use of Student Learning Objective Process

In 2015-2016, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will pilot the use of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) as a measure of student growth within teacher appraisal systems. Pilot participants will guide and shape an instructional focus on student growth options.

What are Student Learning Objectives?

Student Learning Objectives are long-term goals for student learning crafted by teachers and administrators. Often working in teams with peer, school, and district support, teachers develop these goals to help define what success looks like for their students and plan backwards to ensure that instruction is purposefully guiding schools, teachers, and students toward a common vision of success.

Pedagogical considerations that a teacher juggles throughout the year – curriculum, instruction, assessment, adjustment, and evaluation are center stage. The process encourages and prompts continual reflection and self-assessment so teachers can focus on aligning curriculum, instruction, and student performance.

Participation

Participation in the pilot can be an entire campus or a single grade or subject on a single campus, although it is recommended, for the sake of efficiency, that districts participate with ten or more teachers.  Contact Tim Regal at tim.regal@tea.texas.gov with any questions or to inquire further about participation in the SLO pilot.

Benefits

Districts participating in the pilot year will benefit with opportunities to:

• Send representatives to the free training from content experts;
• Get continued support throughout the pilot year from TEA, ESC staff, and Central Texas Assessment Cooperative (CTAC), including webinars and support sessions to assist in implementation;
• Customize policies and procedures to fit the local context while using a general framework; and
• Provide feedback for refinement of the process for developing the system of Student Learning Objective.

For more information on the SLO process and the SLO pilot, please view the following resources found on the TEA website under the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System page:  SLO Pilot Overview.

Please contact Tim Regal at tim.regal@tea.texas.gov with any questions or to inquire further about participation in the SLO pilot.  

View or download a copy of the Student Learning Objective Process Overview  (.pdf file)

View a copy of this press release on the TEA website.

Explore Section 504 and Guardianship Case Law

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Section 504, the Civil Rights Law, is becoming a hot topic among advocates and in courtrooms.

Come explore case law with Jan Watson for practical applications and things to avoid. Guardianship, another hot topic, is difficult to navigate but is required in certain instances. Participants will walk through case law and acquire new knowledge of practical applications that will keep districts out of litigation. Questions are encouraged.

Save the date: April 15th 

>>Click here to REGISTER 

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