Weekly Update 6.25.2015
TEA Information
Instructional Materials Allotment for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017
The 2016‒2017 instructional materials allotment (IMA) allocations for each district and open-enrollment charter school are now available at The district IMA allocations are expected to be populated in the instructional materials ordering system known as EMAT by June 30, 2015.
House Bill 1474, passed by the 84th Texas Legislature and signed into law on June 17, 2015, changed the IMA from an annual allocation to a biennial allocation and requires the Texas Education Agency to make the full amount available to districts on September 1 of the first year of the biennium. Districts need to know that the amounts in the EMAT system must serve them for two full school years rather than just one. District personnel responsible for making instructional materials and educational technology purchasing decisions will want to carefully plan out the two years’ spending to ensure that appropriate funding is available for the full two school years. See the attached Letter to the Administrator.
TEA shares free summer reading resource
Commissioner of Education Michael Williams and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) encourage young Texans to continue reading throughout the summer. And to assist in that effort, TEA is sharing Find a Book, Texas, a free summer reading online resource.
Find a Book, Texas is an easy way to select books based on a child’s interests and reading level. A free search tool helps to build custom lists for readers at all ability levels and then locate the selections at local public libraries.
“Reading remains the one skill that can help combat the education summer slide for all students before the new school year,” said Commissioner Williams. “Through Find a Book, Texas, TEA joins with school districts, libraries and other organizations statewide providing resources that stress the importance of reading during the summer months.”
The Find a Book, Texas initiative is shared through MetaMetrics, an educational research organization that develops scientific measures of achievement. Find a Book, Texas utilizes the Lexile measure, which indicates the reading level of an individual or a book. By comparing a child’s Lexile measure with the Lexile measure of a book, a parent has a tool to help determine whether the text is too difficult, too easy or just right for a child’s reading ability.
MetaMetrics provides free online resources in reading and math for a number of states across the country. To learn more about Find a Book, Texas, visit the website at
Contracts and the New EDGAR
Many of you are preparing contracts for the new fiscal school year 2015-16 based upon the tentative entitlements your received recently. Under the guidance from TEA (see Handout #3, item #2) when negotiating a contract before the receipt of your NOGA. Item “a” states “The contract is only effective upon receipt of the NOGA from the awarding agency.”
Question: What do you do if services need to start July 1st?
Response: Ultimately services must still be provided regardless of receiving a NOGA or not. The recommendation is for your LEA to have two contracts for these few individuals/services that must start July 1, 2015 . One contract based upon 2014-15 federal funds from July 1-Sept 30, 2015 and one based upon 2015-16 federal funds Oct. 1-Sept. 30, 2016. Most likely you already have these funds accounted for in your prior grant to cover these costs. If not, then local funds would be used to provide services.
If you have questions, please contact Jerry Klekotta at , or 743-744-6393.
For Your Information
Assistive Technology Team Seminars
Assistive Technology Team Seminars online applications are due 6-30-15. Directors received application packets at the May SPED director’s meeting, or by mail if you did not attend. If you need another packet, or have questions, please contact Angela Standridge at , or 743-744-6831.
Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development
Access to the General Curriculum (AGC) Institute 2015
Join education professionals at this three day AGC Institute in exploring evidenced-based practices for creating effective learning environments for all learners. AGC Institute strands will includeSolutions 4accessing academic content, navigating federal and state accountability systems, achieving rigorous state assessment standards, creating 21stcentury digital learning environments, increasing student engagement, and implementing effective inclusive practices. Participants will leave the AGC Institute with practical strategies to promote access to and participation in the general curriculum. The AGC Institute will include general sessions from national speakers, the opportunity to attend concurrent break-out or workshop sessions,and our digital café where you can explore free Web 2.0 tools for the classroom. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Dates: July 21, 22, & 23, 2015
Session ID: 927507
General Session Presenters: Preston Swincher, Grace Dearborn, Rick Wormeli, Justin Porter
Time: 8:00 - 3:00
Fee: $135
Contact information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D., , 713.744.6361,
Methods and Principles of X-BASS (Cross Battery Assessment Software System)
Attend this session to enhance your understanding and utilization of the Cross-Battery Assessment Software System (X-BASS) for interpreting and presenting findings based on the methods and principles of cross-battery assessment. A review cross-battery principles and CHC theory will be completed.
Participants will be able to conduct an analysis of specific test data and information, and apply the analysis to answer questions pertaining to the 'pattern of strengths and weaknesses' component in SLD evaluations, as well as consider the test performance of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
NOTE: Participants should have an understanding and knowledge base of CHC Theory and Cross-Battery Assessment, 3rd Edition prior to attending this session. Participants should also have purchased or have access to the Cross Battery Assessment Software System (XBASS) prior to attending this session, and may wish to bring their laptop computer with software.
Session ID 1170477orSession ID: 1170480
Date: August 12, 2015Date: August 12, 2015
Time: 9:00AM-12:00PMTime: 1:00PM-4:00PM
Fee: $30Fee: $30
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Methods and Principles of X-BASS (Cross Battery Assessment Software System)
If you are interested in offering an X-BASS half-day or full-day training session in your district, either by hosting a open enrollment session or as a customized training exclusively for your staff, contact Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562