Weekly Update (2.4.2016)

TEA Information

STAAR On-line Tutorials Now Available

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) online tutorials are now available through the STAAR Online Testing Platform. The STAAR practice tests will be released in the next few weeks as they become available. The tutorials and practice tests are designed to provide opportunities for students and staff to familiarize themselves with the online testing environment and embedded tools. It is expected that all students participating in an online test administration complete the tutorial and practice tests prior to taking the assessment. This includes students taking STAAR end-of-course (EOC), STAAR standardized oral administration (SOA), STAAR L, and STAAR A online assessments.

Tutorials

The tutorial is the first step for students to learn about the online testing environment. The tutorial shows students how to navigate through the test, respond to the different question types, and access the available tools. Tutorials are available for each grade/subject and course that is offered online.

Practice Tests

The practice tests are the second step for students to learn about the online testing environment. The practice tests provide students with an opportunity to interact with the test interface, respond to questions, and locate and use available tools. Practice tests will be available for each grade/subject and course that is offered online. The content used in an individual practice test is representative of content for that grade band and subject but does not necessarily align to the specific curriculum standards for that test. The STAAR Online Testing Platform operates through a secure browser that must be installed on a desktop or tablet. Instructions for downloading and installing the secure browser are included in the attachment.

For questions about the STAAR program, call TEA’s Student Assessment Division at (512)463-9536. For questions about the STAAR Online Testing Platform or for support installing the secure browsers, call the Texas Assessment Support Center at (855) 333-7770.

STAAR Online Testing Platform instruction

Additional information can be found at TEA’s Student Assessment page.

STAAR A TETN

TEA recently posted a STAAR A TETN event scheduled for Monday, February 8th, 2016 from 9:00am-11:00am. This TETN is open to districts/charters and will hopefully provide updates to many of the questions we have regarding our 2016 administration of STAAR A. If you would like to register to attend this session at Region 4, please click here to be taken to the Region 4 registration page(Session ID #1219996). This is a free session.

Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, r 713.744.6361

Special Education Monitoring TETN

There has been a slight change for the February 19 TETN. It was originally scheduled for 10:00-12:00.However, it had to be changed to1:00-2:00.Would you mindgetting the message out to all your districts.Handouts will be available by Wednesday, Feb. 17.

2015 Federal Report Cards Now Available

The U.S. Department of Education requires each state to publish an annual report card with specific district- and campus-level data. Federal Report Cards for the state, district, and campuses are now available on the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) website. Although TEA received an ESEA Flexibility Waiver on September 30, 2013 waiving various ESEA requirements, the requirement of disseminating a federal card was not included in the waiver.Each LEA that receives Title I, Part A funding is responsible for disseminating the State, LEA and campus-level report cards. Click on link for more information.

For questions .

State Board of Education awards contracts for high school equivalency assessments

The Texas Education Code authorizes the SBOE to provide for the administration of high school equivalency examinations. The SBOE has given the TEA the authority to administer the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. TEA is the only agency in Texas that is authorized to issue a certificate of high school equivalency. Three companies responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) the SBOE issued during its September 2015 meeting. The State Board of Education (SBOE) voted Janaury 29, 2016 to award contracts to three separate companies to provide high school equivalency assessments. The high school equivalency assessment serves as the basis for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to issue the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. The vote by the State Board marks a shift from the use of a single testing provider to three. For more information go to

Reclarification of Travel Reimbursement for Non-Overnight Meals

Individuals on non-overnight travel status and LEAs should both be aware of a provision of the General Appropriations Act that applies specifically to reimbursement for meal expenses incurred during non-overnight travel (six or more consecutive hours of business conducted outside the employee’s designated headquarters).

If the LEA chooses to reimburse employees for meal expenses incurred during non-overnight travel, local policy must document the expense as allowable for reimbursement and the procedure used for the reimbursement.

The LEA must include any funds used for non-overnight meal reimbursement in the employee’s total taxable wages. The income listed on the employee’s W-2 must include any reimbursement paid during the tax year for non-overnight meal expenses.

Employees should be prepared to pay federal income tax on the reimbursement they receive for meal expenses incurred during non-overnight travel.

For Further Information

If you have any questions, please submit a request through the TEA Help Desk.

HFC Update and Attachments

In an attempt to help districts prepare for the opening of the HCF Eligibility application (still targeted for February 29th), we are sending the following guidance. Please share this with districts and charter schools that may be considering submitting a HCF Eligibility application

  • The most recent APPE for Texas is $9,273. This means that a district has spent $27,820 or more to meet the educational needs of a student identified as a high need child with a disability
  • Remember that a district should limit the number of applications to 2% of the population of students with disabilities in the district. Districts may ask for exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Decisions to allow additional applications will be based on availability of funds.
  • A pro-rating calculator tool is attached for your use in determining whether the $27,820 threshold has been met. Please print each calculation and include the results with the application for the student.
  • A HCF Cover Sheet is attached. The HCF team requires this coversheet to be completed and submitted along with the IEP and appropriate expense documentation for each child.

For Your Information

February is Heart Month

President Obama helped kick start the annual awareness campaign against the nation’s No. 1 killer by declaring February as American Heart Month. This coming National Wear Red Day, Feb. 6, 2015, marks the 12-year anniversary. The American Heart Association shared the following progress

  • Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change.
  • More than one-third of women have lost weight.
  • More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
  • 6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
  • More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.
  • One third of women have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.

Check out resources for Heart Month at

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • American Heart Association
  • Million Hearts

Got Spring Fever? Try Hiking or Star Gazing

Take a hike

  • Check out Texas Parks near Houston at
  • Find an event in an around Houston like Beachcombing 101 on Feb 13th or Geocaching 101 (What?) at the State Park on Galveston Island.

Try star gazing

  • Get stargazing tips at

Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife site.

Why is Mentoring Important

The case for mentoring is compelling. According to an emerging workforce study, 35 percent of employees who do not receive regular mentoring are likely to look for another job within 12 months. In contrast, just 16 percent of those with good mentors expect to leave their jobs.

Why provide mentoring?

  • Attract and retain high performers.
  • Upgrade employee skills and knowledge.
  • Promote diversity of thought and style.
  • Develop leadership talent.
  • Preserve institutional memory.
  • Create inclusion.
  • Develop a line of succession.
  • Foster a collaborative environment.
  • Ease the transition to new assignments.
  • Strengthen corporate competitive advantage.

There are five essential components of mentoring programs.

  • Determine the purpose of the mentoring initiative and set specific goals. Frequently cited outcomes include high potential development, leadership development, support for diversity initiatives, knowledge transfer, and retention of key individuals.
  • Identify and match mentors and mentees.
  • Train mentors and prepare mentees by helping them define their goals for the mentoring relationship.
  • Monitor the mentoring process to make sure that mentees are achieving their goals.
  • Evaluate the program. Base your program evaluation on the overall objectives for the mentoring initiatives.

Adapted from ATD’s TD at Work Issue: Mentoring – Exploring the types and ROI of mentoring.

Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development

Transition Planning to Meet the Unique Needs of Students with Autism

Attend this session to learn how the unique needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism impact the transition planning process. In this session, participants will 1) gain understanding of both federal and state legislation relating to transition and autism, 2) explore the strengths and needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism, and 3) apply knowledge by practicing transition planning for students with autism through the use of case studies.

Session ID: 1143589

Dates: February 10, 2016

Time: 9:00 – 4:00

Fee: $45

Contact information: Karen Pepkin, , 713.744.4470; Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801

The Teacher and Paraprofessional Team: Enhancing Communication and Instruction

Explore practical strategies for improving communication, problem solving, and team performance. Topics to be addressed include leadership, team personalities, the team building process, time management strategies, and effective communication.

Session ID: 1201005

Date: 2/17/16

Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m

Location: MCC 104

Fee: $45

Co-Teaching: Taking Your Practices to the Next Level (Dr. Wendy Murawski)

Join Dr. Wendy Murawski, a nationally recognized expert on co-teaching and learn to expand your effective co-teach practices to produce greater instructional intensity in your co-teach classrooms than if only one teacher were present. Discover ways to incorporate and utilize common planning for co-teachers that will enhance units, lessons, instruction, and overall classroom management to increase your student's performance. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants

Session ID: 1177227

Date: 2/28/16

Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m

Location: Crown Plaza - Brookhollow

Fee: $45