August 2024 - LEA Newsletter

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ⭐ PRIOR EDITIONS OF THE NEWSLETTER

While our title has changed slightly, the work of the Title IV-A School Capacity Building Initiative still remains a collaboration with TEA and ESC 14 to create and provide training, resources, guidance, and build capacity to ESCs and LEAs in implementing Title IV, Part A program requirements. This State Initiative now supports all three content areas: Well-Rounded Education (WRE), Safe & Healthy Students (S&H), and Effective Use of Technology (EUT). The contents of the newsletter fall within authorized T4PA topics.

Federal Reports Due

• September 3, 2024
• Formula Grants Consolidated Schedule (SC5003) submission window closes.
• 2024-25 LEA ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application submission window closes.
  
• 2024-25 Private Nonprofit (PNP) School Equitable Services (SC3099) submission window closes for LEAs as part of SSA for all programs.
  
• September 30, 2024
• ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports
  
• Rural and Low-Income Schools Report
• September 30, 2024
• 22-23 Random Validations Resubmissions: LEAs that received an an "Improvement Needed" status are required to resubmit documentation showing evidence of compliance for the 2024-2025 year by September 30th. LEAs required to resubmit will be sent a reminder email via Smartsheet WorkApp system on July 29, 2024. Questions or information requests can be sent to ESSAsupport@TEA.Texas.gov.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

• August 19, 2024 (Deadline) | 2023-2024 Federal Program Compliance Division Customer Satisfaction Survey - NOW OPEN | Survey Link | News Bulletin
  

• August 7, 2024 | 2024-2025 Statewide LEA Private Nonprofit (PNP) Affirmation of Consultation Smartsheet WorkApp Data Submission Virtual Training | 9:00 – 10:00 am CT | Register
  
• October 2, 2024 | 2024-2025 FPC Program Monitoring Validations Process - LEA Statewide Virtual Informational Session | 1:30 - 3:30 pm CT | Register
• Participants will learn about the parameters for LEA selection, the programs included in the monitoring process, the requirements selected for documentation review, and process timelines.
• Resources will be shared, and time will be allotted for questions.
• A link to access the recording and handouts will be posted to the Statewide Training Series webpage after the training.

• October 16-18, 2024 | Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Fall Conference | Register | Houston
  
• October 29-November 1, 2024 | ACET Fall 2024 Conference | Houston - Registration opens September 1st.
  

• TEA Title IV, Part A Subpart 1: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program Guide (update coming this Fall, 2024)
  
• Guidance: ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports Resources, ESSA Program Monitoring - Random Validations
  
• TEA Unsafe School Choice Option Guidance Handbook

• Important Dates

• Order of Submission

• Grant Resources Webpage

• ESSA Training Videos (by section)

• Program Guidelines

• Sample ESSA Consolidated Application

• Planning Amounts (Alpha by District) FY 2025 | (Alpha by Region) FY 2025

• Grants Administration Region/District Negotiator

We hope you find inspiration in these innovative program options that fall within the scope of T4PA Grant intent and purpose.

• Galena ISD (Region 4) is using T4PA funding to implement a successful STEM program.
• Vogel Elementary in Seguin ISD planned and implemented a blended learning model.
• Fort Worth ISD's P-TECH program allows students to earn an associate degree tuition free.

• TEA Information | TEA Accelerated Instruction Webpage
• TEA: Middle School Advanced Math Program Update
  
• CTE Programs of Study - Refreshed

The 87th Legislature passed House Bill 1525 in 2021, which included revisions to statutory regulations regarding human sexuality instruction (see Section 7 of the bill). Among other things, this legislation requires a school system to first obtain written consent from a parent before a student may receive instruction in human sexuality. Also, before a student may receive any instruction related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking a district must obtain written consent from the student’s parent. (TAA from August 1, 2024)

Science Near Me is a free resource to help you quickly find opportunities to engage in all types of science, technology, engineering, math, (STEM) events, projects, and programs near you, in person and online.

STEM one-pagers and briefs that align with the K–8 technology applications: STEM toolkit

TXVSN can help meet students’ needs through TEA-approved online courses including provides fifteen unique social studies courses to help students meet their learning goals and graduation requirements.

The following TEA curriculum newsletters can help provide LEAs with possible uses of T4PA funds and state requirements in order to find ways to go over and above those requirements with T4PA funds. (Each district must consider SNS implications.)

Current Editions: RLA (English) | Social Studies | Math | Science | STEM | CTE | Fine Arts | Health and PE | LOTE | Spanish Curriculum Stds | Technology Apps

• August 30, 2024 | Initial Intruder Detection Audit (IDA) District Verifications & Setup Due
• August 30, 2024 | School Safety Formula Grant Reporting Due
• August 30, 2024 | SY2023-2024 Bus Collision Reporting (Deadline extended)
• August 30, 2024 | SAFE Grant - Cycle 1 Reporting Due (if applicable)
  
• August 31, 2024 | SAFE Grant - Cycle 2 Reporting Due
  
• September 1, 2024 | All public school districts and charter schools MUST be in compliance with Minimum School Safety Standards.
• October 23, 2024 | Deadline Extended! Multi-Hazard EOP Basic Plan and Cybersecurity Annex submission deadline to TxSSC for all LEAs and open-enrollment charter schools. Connect with your TxSSC Regional EOP Specialist for more information.
• June 2, 2025 | Last Day to Amend SAFE Grant (Cycle 2 )
  
• August 31, 2025 | Grant End Date SAFE Grant (Cycle 2 )

Reminders:

• Distribute Safe Firearm Storage Resource letter to parents/guardians.
• Establish SSSP Team and conduct training before first day of school.
• Schedule fall Safety and Security Committee meeting. (SSSC Committee Guidelines)
• Office of School Safety Regional Contact Information
  

• Make data-based decisions to improve school climate
• Coordinate with other teams that serve the campus to align MTSS processes
• Ensure that team members have completed behavioral threat assessment training
• Determine the training for staff and students on identifying and reporting concerning behaviors
• Review SSSP data from previous years to improve school safety
• Support the School Safety and Security Committee with planning and implementation of the campus multihazard emergency operation plan and safety training for school staff

Resources: Safe and Supportive Schools (PDF Excel Spreadsheet)

Questions: Email safeandsupportiveschoolprogram@tea.texas.gov

School Safety Dashboard Release: Sentinel will serve as the data reporting mechanism and repository for all safety and security-related data submitted by school district, open-enrollment charter school, campuses and other entities to TEA. This dashboard will be similar to last year's Intruder Detection Audit (IDA) Dashboard but all-encompassing for school safety. Login credentials are the same as what you used for the IDA Dashboard. Learn more

(Sentinel Update, June 27, 2024)

⭐NEXT STEPS⭐

1. Superintendent add district designee(s) to Sentinel platform.
2. District designees participate in TEA webinars (August 14th, 1:00-2:00 PM | Zoom).
3. District designee uploads district calendar into Sentinel (professional development days, school closures, early release days, etc). Requires manual upload, not PDF or file version.

• Four Primary Components of Sentinel
• Statewide Programs - school safety initiatives required by state statute and under the purview of TEA’s Office of School Safety and Security which include:
• Intruder Detection Audits,
  
• Behavioral Threat Assessments,
• District Vulnerability Assessments, and
• Emergency Management;
• Data Integration - connecting data from multiple sources across an organization to provide a complete, accurate and current dataset for data analysis and other applications and business processes;
  
• Tools and Resources - elements or components of the systems that the user can interact with or use to gain a better understanding of their work; and
  
• System Supports - elements and processes designed to facilitate the functioning, optimization and automation of the system.
• All BTA reports must be loaded into Sentinel.
  
• Districts are encouraged to review the District Vulnerability Assessment (DVA) rubric to determine how districts will be evaluated on school safety and mental health training, policies, and procedures.

For questions, information, or guidance related to this TAA, please contact the Office of School Safety and Security at SafeSchools@TEA.Texas.gov.

• AskTED Reminder: 2024-2025 AskTED update with new district/campus personnel for district programs, such as Business Manager, Counselor, Homeless Liaison, etc.
• The TEA Office of School Safety and Security will now be responsible for the Safe & Supportive School Program (SSSP) data collection due in June each year (data previously submitted to TxSSC). The TEA contact is Casey Stump, School Safety Data Analyst (casey.stump@tea.texas.gov).
• The TEA is committed to supporting LEAs in their efforts to improve the safety and security of school facilities. This TAA provides information related to the technology vendor directory referenced in TEC, Section §48.115.
  
• Texas has amended its education rules to require high schools to record student completion of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training on official transcripts. This change goes into effect on August 1, 2024. Previously, only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training was required to be documented. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)

• Texas has updated its education requirements to include AED (automated external defibrillator) training in addition to CPR for all students in grades 7-12. This change is effective August 1, 2024. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.38, Requirements for Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Texas has updated its school safety regulations. The new rules, which go into effect on August 11, 2024, are based on recent state legislation (Senate Bill 838 and House Bill 3) and aim to improve security in public schools. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter CC, Commissioner's Rules Concerning School Facilities, §61.1031, School Safety Requirements

• House Bill 1525, passed in 2021, temporarily required schools to get written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. This requirement expired on August 1, 2024. However, even without this specific mandate, schools still have the authority to require parental consent for such instruction under existing Texas law. Also, before a student may receive any instruction related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking a district must obtain written consent from the student’s parent. TAA: Updated Guidance on Parental Opt-In Requirement

• Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 61, Commissioner’s Rules Concerning School Facilities | Effective Date: August 11, 2024 | Changes since published as proposed

August 7, 2024 | Administrators Only - 2024-2025 Student Discipline Training | Register

August 21, 2024 | PEIMS Coordinators Only - 2024-2025 Student Discipline Training | Register

Note: The 2024-2025 trainings are the same trainings offered the past 2023-2024 school year.

TEA Student Discipline Webpage - Technical Resources

• PEIMS Discipline Data - Questions and Answers
• PEIMS Discipline Data - Disciplinary Action Reason Codes and Definitions
• PEIMS Discipline Data - Chart for Determining Mandatory and Discretionary DAEP Placements and Expulsions
• Behavior Supports and Guidance for Students with Disabilities
• Discipline flowchart for Students with Disabilities
• Monthly Supportive Schools Newsletter Subscription

For questions regarding student discipline policy and procedures please email: StudentDisciplineSupport@tea.texas.gov

• September 18-19, 2024 | Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium | Mesquite | Register
  
• September 25-26, 2024 | 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security | Virtual/Online - Registration opens in late July.
  
• October 17, 2024 | Region 4 ESC Emergency Management and School Safety Expo | Houston
  
• November 6, 2024 | Region 10 ESC School Safety & Mental Health Summit | Richardson
• March 5-6, 2025 | Region 13 ESC Safe & Supportive Schools Symposium | Austin | Register Day 1, Register Day 2
• April 2, 2025 | Region 10 ESC Safety 1st Conference | Richardson
• June 2, 2025 | Region 16 ESC Safety Summit
• June 12, 2025 | Region 6 ESC School Safety Conference
• June 12, 2025 | Region 15 ESC School Safety Summit
• July 10, 2025 | Region 12 ESC School Safety Summit

September 12, 2024 & November 20, 2024 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST | Hosted by U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) | Register

(intended for school administrators, educators, and other school safety stakeholders)

SchoolSafety.gov launched its 2024 Back-to-School Campaign, a month-long initiative that highlights resources and guidance K-12 school leaders, educators, staff, and parents and caregivers can use to help prepare for a safe return to school.

• SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Checklist
  
• SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Reading List
  
• SchoolSafety.gov’s new Facebook page
  

Nemours KidsHealth provides online safety tools for parents, guardians, and families. This resource is also available in Spanish.

Crime Stoppers team is dedicated to providing free, relevant, and engaging crime prevention programming across the state. View the updated Statewide Menu of Services including these new topics: Fentanyl Awareness; Substance Abuse Prevention; Mental Health; and Prom Safety.

This free resource is designed to help strengthen communication between schools and law enforcement. Watch the recording and learn more about this combined effort from Education Service Center 11, Minaret Foundation, and Crime Stoppers.

House Bill 3 - Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 153, School District Personnel, Subchapter BB, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Professional Development, §153.1015, Mental Health Training | The proposed new rule would implement the mental health training requirement established by House Bill 3, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

• Public Comment Period: July 19, 2024-August 19, 2024.
• Proposed Effective Date: November 5, 2024
  

August 20, 2024 | 9:30-11:00 am MST | Facilitated by Stephanie Lerner, TEA | Zoom Link

Join the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) for the "Back to School Updates from T.E.A." training provided by, Counselor Support Program Manager, Stephanie Lerner!

Live Panel Discussion | August 21, 2024, 12:00 PM | Hosted by Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente | Register

• Topic: Building a culture of caring schools can address chronic absenteeism
• What You'll Learn: Concepts for addressing chronic absenteeism, including creating a personal caring presence and creating a caring classroom environment (including a Q&A led by students, educators, and other experts on building caring environments to ensure a sense of belonging)

• September 6, 2024 (10:00-11:00 AM) | TxHHSC Language Matters Webinar | Register (Contact suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov)
• September 13, 2024 (10:00-11:30 AM) | TxHHSC Thriving Together: Building Workplace Resilience Through Connection Webinar | Register (Contact suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov)
• September 18-19, 2024 | Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium | Register | Mesquite
  
• September 27, 2024 (11:00-12:30 PM) | TxHHSC Lisa Morgan: Suicide Prevention for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Webinar | Register (Contact: suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov)
  

A train the trainer opportunity for Texas educators. Video preview below. Learn more

Naloxone Texas is a statewide initiative that aims to end the state’s overdose epidemic through medication distribution, public awareness, and workforce empowerment. To access virtual, on-demand, training in evidenced-based strategies for overdose reversal and prevention, visit the training webpage. For questions, please email naloxonetexas@uthscsa.edu.

Free Narcan Order Form: https://naloxonetexas.com/

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) has created a Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Toolkit for schools, parents, and communities. It includes resources like information on Texas laws, educational materials, and access to naloxone. Contact TxSSC for more details.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission shares ample information on Fentanyl and the One Pill Kills Campaign teaching about how to stay away from Fentanyl and drugs. Teachers, staff, and parents can find more information on the campaign webpage.

Truth Initiative, Kaiser Permanente, and the American Heart Association have teamed up to create a free online program designed to prevent vaping among students called Vaping: Know the Truth. Learn more about the program and download the course overview on the curriculum webpage.

Walk the Talk America provides resources to bridge the gap between mental health and responsible gun ownership including free online mental health screenings.

TCHATT provides Texas schools with telemedicine access to mental health professionals helping to identify and address student behavioral health needs, ensuring they can reach their full potential. If your child's school district participates in TCHATT, reach out to them to learn more (tcmhcc@utsystem.edu).

The Building Strong Foundations: Children's Mental Health infographic examines the state of children's mental health across the US, as well as strategies and solutions to promote adolescent mental health and well-being

The Texas School Safety Center released a podcast episode where two Say What! Teen Ambassadors sit down with Leanne Foell, LCSW a mental health therapist and teen advocate.

The Child Mind Institute offers helpful information about childhood anxiety. Discover tips for parenting anxious kids, managing anxiety in school, understanding specific phobias, and learning about different types of anxiety.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunizations Program provides information on required vaccines to keep children from kindergarten through 12th grade. DID YOU KNOW? DSHS maintains the Texas Immunization Registry (ImmTrac2) to assist residents with tracking vaccination records (opt in required). These are great resources to share as we start a new school year!

Disaster behavioral health (DBH) planning is both essential and complicated. SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) explores DBH planning challenges and highlights from professionals across the nation. As professionals share their thoughts and experiences working in DBH, they offer guidance and support for other practicing professionals pursuing DBH planning in the 21st century.

• SAMHSA Disaster Mobile App
• Ready.gov Make a Plan
• Red Cross Mobile Apps
  
• Caring for Children in a Disaster: For Kids and Families
  
• Stop Disasters!
  

Personalized professional learning empowers educators through tailored support, technology, and collaboration. By focusing on individual needs, this approach enhances teaching, boosts student achievement, and fosters a collaborative learning community.

Learn more

• Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) & Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) - Bipartisan support from the Senate for these two bills. Neither has gone to the House, but keep an eye on future updates regarding these pieces of potential legislation.
• The 2024-2025 school year marks the implementation of the new Technology Application TEKS for grades K-8.

TalkSTEM, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to transforming STEM education. Educators can access the video library to enhance their lessons or create engaging STEM stop videos. The organization’s mission is to empower educators with the necessary tools to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

During the sessions, the Learning Undefeated team will walk educators through the free hands-on engineering design challenges available through the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory. Sessions will also guide participants in developing and facilitating their own TEKS-aligned engineering design challenges. Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory lessons are cross-curricular, and all lessons are aligned with science and math TEKS and other subject areas as applicable.

• Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | Grades K-5 | Register
• Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | Grades 6-8 | Register

August 26-28, 2024 | Region 13 ESC | Register

This professional development prepares teachers for successful implementation of STEM instruction in their classrooms by immersing teachers directly in the role of STEM learner, engaging first-hand in high-impact STEM practices such as project-based learning, design-based challenges, and computational thinking.

Launch_K5 CS is a dynamic three day hybrid workshop designed for K–5 educators, crafted to align seamlessly with the new K–5 technology applications TEKS set to be implemented in the 2024–2025 school year. Each workshop spans two or three in-person days and an asynchronous course, providing all necessary resources and materials to help teachers successfully train students in these essential 21st-century skills (including up to $200 worth of physical computing kits). These workshops are free of charge and open to any interested Texas educator.

• August 30, 2024 | Grades K-5 | Region 12 ESC | Register
  

• September 17-18, 2024 | Grades K-5 | Region 20 ESC | Register
  
• September 23, 2024 | Grades K-2 | Region 3 ESC | Register

• September 25, 2024 | Grades 3-5 | Region 3 ESC | Register

• September 26, 2024 | Grades K-2 | Region 12 ESC | Register
  
• September 26, 2024 | Grades 3-5 | Region 12 ESC | Register
  
• September 30, 2024 | Grades K-5 | Region 7 ESC | Register
  

• February 1-5, 2025 | TCEA Convention & Exposition | Austin - Registration opens in September.
  
• June 29-July 2, 2025 | ISTE Live 25 | San Antonio - Registration opens at a later time.

TCEA's EdTech Club Podcast

Naomi Meredith (The Elementary STEM Coach, STEM Career Quest)

ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov | PNPOmbudsman@tea.texas.gov

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, email t4si@esc14.net.

Monthly newsletters are posted on the Title IV, Part A State Initiative website under District/LEA Resources.