TEA Posts Accountability and School Improvement FAQs
TEA just posted the following accountability and school improvement updates on the new COVID-19 website:
Accountability FAQ dated April 2
This new FAQ document answers a few of the questions TSA members have asked regarding:
1. 2020 accountability ratings =>”Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster”;
2. 2020 sanctions & interventions => “shall continue to implement any previously ordered sanctions and interventions”; and
3. Lagging CCMR indicators =>”asked the US Department of Education for guidance”
Access the new Accountability FAQ here.
School Improvement FAQ dated April 2
TEA’s new School Improvement document answers specific questions about interventions, sanctions, ESF, and School Improvement Grants.
Access the new School Improvement FAQ here.
TELPAS & LPAC Guidance dated April 2
TEA has updated this document and includes an answer to this FAQ, “ What if we are unable to complete all four domains of TELPAS?”
Access the updated TELPAS & LPAC Guidance here.
Members are encouraged to check the agency’s COVID-19 website daily for assessment and accountability updates.
USDE Approves Texas’ ESSA Waiver
Dr. Frank T. Brogan, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, approved Texas’ request to a waive the assessment, accountability and reporting requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.
A copy of the USDE letter to Commissioner Morath may be accessed here.
THANK YOU NOTE: Thanks to all of the TSA accountability experts who provided feedback, comments, and recommendations on the Texas ESSA Waiver due to COVID-19. Your comments were included in TSA’s letter that was submitted to TEA.
UPDATE: Which States Have Cancelled Spring Tests Because of Coronavirus?
Education Week reports that, “As of March 31, the U.S. Department of Education had granted waivers to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Bureau of Indian Education.” Read the blog here.
Which States Have Closed School Buildings for the Academic Year?
A picture really is worth 1,000 words. Here is Education Week’s latest carto map, charts, and graphics showing School Closures: https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/map- coronavirus-and-school-closures.html
Included is a State-by-State map, the 9 states that have closed schools for the academic year, the 4 states and 1 territory that are “closed until further notice” , and for all of the other states like Texas…there is a bar graph that shows when schools anticipate re-opening.
A stark reminder of the challenges still to come.