Reading Academy Information

ESC18 Support Model:

General Education Comprehensive Path- General & Special Ed teachers, and Admin, NO bilingual content. Tentative dates for the Comprehensive Path at Region 18 ESC: July 27th, 28th, 29th; Sept. 15th & 16h; Jan. 12th & 13th; June 8th, 9th, & 10th.
General Education Blended Path- General & Special Ed teachers, and Admin, NO bilingual content.
Blended Biliteracy Path- Bilingual General and Bilingual Special Ed teachers providing Spanish instruction (dual or bilingual).
Blended Administrators- Principals and any other leadership staff.
- Tentative BLENDED cohort start dates: July 13th, July 20th, and August 10th.
Fast Track Option- ESC 18 has applied to offer this, more details coming soon.
April 27, 2020- District will be able to register for cohorts in CANVAS https://www.tealearn.com

Local Implementation Model:

Enter an MOU with Region 18 as your Authorized Provider & provide your own district cohort leader. District cohort leader provides content support to Reading Academy participants.
MOU information will be provided during the first week of April, Nicole Gabriel will contact districts by April 6, 2020

Perspective Cohort Leaders:

Apply here->https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/reading-academies-cohort-leader-screener-registration
Plan to take the cohort leader screener in the window below
After the Screener is completed, results will be shared with the applicants and Authorized provider (ESC 18)
Applicants can re-apply in another window, applicants can only apply 3 times in a year
Authorized Providers (ESC 18) will be responsible for ensuring leaders hired for the local implementation model have met necessary requirements. The ESC 18 interview team will host interviews virtually the week of April 20th, 2020.
Cohort leaders can only lead one path, blended or comprehensive

Reading Academies - Authorized Provider FAQ

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/reading-academies-authorized-provider-faq

1. What costs are associated with Reading Academies?
Costs are dependent on the implementation structure your district chooses.

2. What funds can be used to pay for Reading Academies?
New reading funding sources, such as the Early Education Allotment, the Dyslexia Allotment, and/or the Basic Allotment increase can be utilized. In addition, you may consider Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) funds, the Bilingual Allotment, or Compensatory Education funds. The decision of which funds to utilize, or to use funds outside this list, is at district discretion.

3. How will we know which Regional Educational Service Centers (ESCs), districts or other non-profit organizations are selected to be Authorized Providers?
The list of Authorized Providers for 2020-2021 are on the TEA website above. It includes all 20 Regional ESCs. Authorized Providers are approved in an annual cycle.

4. How long will it take for a teacher/administrator to complete Reading Academies?

It is designed to be completed in no more than 10 full days over an 11-month period. Districts can personalize time frames for teachers, as long as the teachers are able to complete the full training within 11 months of beginning online content.

5. Is TEA planning to release a professional development schedule that districts should follow in order to ensure participant completion of the Reading Academies?
TEA will not release a required professional development schedule. Districts entering into a MOU/contract with an Authorized Provider should work with the Authorized Provider to determine scheduling. TEA is pleased to provide sample schedules as they come available that can be used to begin planning.

6. Will TEA provide a screening assessment for districts to determine which participants should be enrolled in a comprehensive versus blended model?
There will be no screening assessment provided before teachers begin Reading Academies content. For more information on Reading Academies assessments, please see the Assessment and Exemption section of this FAQ.

7. Can district administrators attend either the TEA Authorized Provider training or Cohort Leader training in order to gain deeper knowledge around Reading Academies?
Unfortunately, due to space and time constraints, TEA will only be able to offer training to selected Authorized Providers and Cohort Leaders. However, we will release general information included in these trainings for district use and are always available to answer questions.