Bilingual/ESL/Title III/Migrant

We understand that the beginning of the school year is a very busy time for all districts and want to provide important and updated information pertaining to emergent bilingual students. Please take some time and read thoroughly for new and updated information.

We are very excited to support you this year! Join us for two exciting ongoing opportunities! Leadership Learning and Data-Driven Impactful Instruction for Academic Achievement 2024-2025 Cohort. Links included in downloadable PDF.

Title III Fall Round Table Meeting (Required attendance for all Title III SSA Leads)

Session #656703:

Date: November 13, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ELPS-TELPAS Connection Dig Your Data!

Session #656711:

Date: November 13, 2024

Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Session #677286: Laying the Groundwork: Essential Foundations for EB Achievement

Date: September 17, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Session #677287: Pathways to Proficiency: Second Language Acquisition and Literacy Development

Date: September 24, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Session#677288: Pedagogy Playbook: Strategies to Strengthen EB Instruction

Date: October 1, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

September 18th Leadership Academy!

Register using the following link: https://txel.org/academyregistration/…

Register for 2024-2025 Communities of Practice: Click Here

If you are in your first or second year as your district's coordinator/director/lead, register for the EB Support Division's new engagement opportunity just for you!

This Funding Guidebook provides guidance on the use of the Bilingual Education Allotment (state) and Title III, Part A (federal) funds. This guidebook serves as a tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to align with each program’s statutory authority, policies, and practices.

Note: If your district is not part of our SSA, please refer to this guide to ensure funds are used accordingly to stay in compliance.

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, please visit the LPAC Framework site which includes clarification of the legal requirements for the LPAC and provides supplemental resources to ensure the appropriate identification, placement, assessment, services, reclassification, and monitoring of emergent bilingual students.

The updated 2024-2025 Beginning of the Year LPAC Guidance Checklist can be found on the LPAC Frequently Used Resources page of the EL Portal. This resource provides a quick guide for LPAC members to conduct responsibilities, including completion of last year’s reclassification process (as needed), ensuring the appropriate identification and placement of new and transfer students, and communicating with parents and families on their child’s progress.

For answers to common questions regarding English learner programs and LPAC procedures, see our general FAQ for English Learners and LPAC.

• Schedule parent LPAC training as needed
• Schedule and conduct beginning-of-year (BOY) LPAC meetings for newly enrolled (required) and returning ELs (best- practice)
• Review teacher certifications and credentials to prepare for state bilingual exceptions and/or ESL waivers
• Confirm staff knows and understands the instructional and linguistic needs of their ELs (including F, S, and parent denials)
• Provide professional development in ELPS/TELPAS
• Collaborate with ARD/SPED Committee to review and discuss identified ELs
• Review Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) coding

LPAC On-Going Activities

• Schedule LPAC meeting for new enrollees within four weeks of initial enrollment
• Monitor linguistic and academic progress for EBs
• Collaborate with special programs, such as special education, gifted/talented, etc., to ensure student success.
• Ensure PEIMS data is up-to-date and accurate
• Provide professional development

As the year begins, please ensure to refer to the newly updated Instructional Accommodations Checklist when serving your current Emergent Bilinguals. Ensure to place the completed form in the student's permanent folder.

Please replace older unused versions of this checklist with this newly updated checklist. ENGLISH LEARNER INSTRUCTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS CHECKLIST

• LPAC BOY Procedures Checklist
• TEA LPAC Resources
• Guidance on Identification and Placement of EB students Prior to Kindergarten
• TSDS PEIMS Code Guide
• EL Program Implementation Resources
• Register for TEA Division Support TASIs
• LPAC Year at a Glance
• EB Reclassification Chart
• LPAC and EB FAQ

• Parent Notification on Student Progress – Monitoring After Reclassification
• Parent Notification on Student Progress - Bilingual Education Program
• Parent Notification on Student Progress – English as a Second Language
• Parent Notification on Student Progress – Parental Denial

What are the expectations for bilingual and ESL teacher certification?

Teacher certification requirements for serving English learners and providing equitable access to the appropriate bilingual education or ESL program have not changed.

• If the LEA does not have the appropriately certified teachers to implement the bilingual education and/or ESL program, the LEA must apply for a bilingual education exception and/or ESL waiver on or before November 1st, 2022. We will notify districts as soon as documentation is made available.
• For further information, see the Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver FAQ.

As the LEA considers staff and student learning arrangements, it is important to be mindful not to overly complicate student arrangements in order to bypass applying for a bilingual education exception or ESL waiver.

• Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver Resources
  
• Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver FAQ

Does your district have teachers who are needing their Bilingual or ESL certification? Click on the pic below for FREE Prep classes!

These resources, tools, and web pages provide guidance on bilingual and English as a second language (ESL) program requirements:

• FAQ - LPAC and Emergent Bilingual Students/English Learners (Updated January 2023)
• Building Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs as a Local Education Agency (LEA)
• Guidance on Identification and Placement of English Learners Prior to Kindergarten (Updated November 2021)
• Funding Guidebook (May 2022)
• LPAC Guidance for Deaf or Hard of Hearing English Learners and associated training video
• Bilingual Education Certification Pathways
• TSDS PEIMS Code Guide for Bilingual and ESL Program Association
• EB Student/EL Decision Chart for the LPAC with PEIMS codes (Updated November 2021)

Program Requirement Resource Web Pages

• Framework Manual for the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) Process (outside source)
• Guidance Related to ARD Committee and LPAC Collaboration
• Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver Resources
• Single, Statewide Assessments for Emergent Bilingual Students
  • Identification: Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) LAS Links Battery of Assessments (Texas-dedicated site)
  • Reclassification (Academic Achievement Component - Grades 1, 2, 11, and 12): Riverside Insights, Iowa Assessments, Form F (Texas-dedicated site)

Please note the following update related to the review and revision process for the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).

At the June 2024 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE gave preliminary approval to proposed new ELPS for first reading and filing authorization. The SBOE is scheduled to consider the proposed new ELPS for second reading and final adoption at its meeting next week, September 10-13.

The proposed new ELPS are Item 3 in the SBOE’s agenda during the Committee of the Full Board meeting on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. The SBOE meeting can be viewed via the live webcast. The webcast will also be archived and available via the same link after the meeting.

Additionally, the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division has produced a short video providing an overview of the proposed new ELPS. You may view the video at: https://youtu.be/stIOt1aXNRs.

Family and Community Engagement activities must include interactive activities with families and/or community members at a separate time during the general school-wide activity.

To better help and guide compliance, please ensure to submit your agenda prior to the planned activity to javier.deleon@esc9.net

The TEA English Learner Support Division is excited to host three virtual T3 Engagement Series this upcoming school year. Families will have an opportunity to attend watch parties hosted by schools or watch virtually from home on a smart device. Our first event will focus on what educational equity looks like to meet the language and academic needs of your child. Check with your child’s school to see if they are hosting a watch party for this event. Registration coming soon!

Interested in learning more about how to Make Your Mark and support your child’s learning journey to meet academic standards? Come learn about impactful practices happening in districts, schools, and classrooms and be the spark for change in your child’s school. This in-person conference for educators and parents will take place in Houston, Texas on October 16-18, 2024 and registration is open!