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Curriculum Connections
 ESC Region 12 General Education Department

The latest news in curriculum, instruction and assessment
In This Issue
Upcoming Sessions
Click to Register
Sept. 2 STAAR - New District Test Coordinator Training

Sept. 7 Social Studies for New Teachers, Grades 4-12

Sept. 8 Instructional Coaches Academy
Sept. 13
Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair

Sept. 13
Sept. 13
Sept. 14
 
Sept. 16
Sept. 19
Sept. 20
Sept. 21
Sept. 21

Sept. 22
Sept. 22

Sept. 22
Sept. 22
Sept. 22
Phonological Awareness for Pre-K, eCircle Facilitated Course

Sept. 23
Texas Wildlife Association, Grades 6-12
Sept. 26
Principal as Instructional Coach - Refining Instructional Leadership Skills

Sept. 28

Sept. 29
5th Grade Science Academy
Sept. 29
Using Mentor Texts to STAARt Conversations in Grades 6-12

Sept. 29
Oct. 5
Roam Around the World: Teaching Grade 6 Social Studies

Oct. 6
G/T Basic II: Assessing Student Needs for Identification

Oct. 6
Oct. 6
Oct. 6
Oct. 12
Oct. 12
PM TEKS Resource System Leadership Network

Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Grade 8 Social Studies STAAR Institute: Day 2 - The Constitution, New Republic, and Age of Jackson

Oct. 18
Oct. 18
PLC Building for Administrators
Oct. 19
G/T Basic II: Curriculum and Instruction for G/T Students - Differentiating the Curriculum

Oct. 20
Profiling Engaged Learning
Oct. 21
Hot Science Cool Talks - Some Like it Hot, Hot, Hot: When Primates Roamed Texas' Rainforests

Oct. 25
P.R.I.M.E. Time Plus: Grades 4 and 5
Oct. 26
Letter Knowledge in Pre-K, eCircle Facilitated Course

Oct. 26
P.R.I.M.E, Time Plus: Algebra 2 and Precalculus

Oct. 27
K-4 Science Acadmey: Force and Motion

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
for September & October 2016.
SCHOLAR Resource!
Check out the Secondary Counselor Handbook of Online Listing and Resources for CCRS Information, Graduation Plan Information and MORE!  Visit our website!
HB5 Information
Social Media Links!
MATH

ELA/R
Facebook: ESC Region 12 ELAR
Twitter: @Region12ELAR

Social Studies
News & Updates
Who's Who and What's New in the ESC Region 12 General Education Department
An introduction from Andi McNair, General Education Digital Innovation Specialist

I would like to introduce myself as the new Digital Innovation Specialist at Region 12. As we all know, education is changing and so are our students. I look forward to working with the districts in Region 12 to create and design innovative learning experiences for our students.  I am also excited about providing engaging professional development that will prepare teachers to integrate technology and implement innovation in the classroom. 
Because of the technology that is available for today's classrooms, we have unique opportunities to do things that have never been done. We are able to give our students real life experiences resulting in opportunities to make connections to the standards. In doing so, we create learning that is not only relevant, but also engaging. 
Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions at all. As the Digital Innovation Specialist, I am available to offer instructional coaching as well as presentations for your district. I look forward to working with you and bringing digital innovation to Region 12!

email | amcnair@esc12.net
phone | (254) 297-1291
First District/Campus Leadership Meeting: John Wink with Data Driven Excellence
JOIN US on September 20 for Data Driven Excellence with John Wink

In this training, participants will learn how to select the right data to transform the mindset of passing tests into guaranteeing growth in every learner. Leaders will walk about with an action plan to help their teachers select the most relevant data with 4-6 reports that will support teachers in isolating their areas for improvement by content, by class and by individual student.

Cost $85 |  Leadership Co-op attends at no additional charge. Enhanced Curriculum Co-op attends for $40
Click to access a FLIER,
Register Today!
 
We're saving you a seat!
School administrators, including principals, assistant principals, and curriculum directors are invited to receive FREE attendance for General Education sessions at ESC Region 12. Click the link for access to the flier above! Spread the word to all your campus administrators!  Link
Science TEKS Streamlining Survey
Science TEKS Streamlining Survey

The streamlining process for the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) is scheduled to begin this summer. As part of the TEKS streamlining process, the Texas Education Agency on behalf of the State Board of Education will collect information from educators regarding the scope of student expectations for each grade level/course to inform the work of SBOE-appointed streamlining committees. Educators can access the survey at the following link:

The survey will remain open until September 19, 2016.
GenEd Session Alignment to T-TESS
Beginning in the fall, our General Education Department session descriptors will include alignment to at least three dimensions of T-TESS as shown above. Following the session descriptor, you will see a section called "Important Session Information". This is where the alignment will be posted.  Click this  LINK  to see the alignment shown above in more detail.
If you have a teacher struggling with a certain dimension of the T-TESS rubrics, you can target sessions to support each teacher's growth. We hear your feedback, and we are trying to be explicit in connecting teacher learning at ESC Region 12 sessions to classroom practice. These dimension connections will point you to a rubric that contains "look fors" that were discussed in the General Education session and that are emphasized in our new Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System.
Texas High School Mock Trial 2016-2017
Government: Texas High School Mock Trial
This program provides a way for students to gain an insider's view of our judicial system. A team of 6-10 students compete against their peers by analyzing and trying a real case in a mock trial court. Students improve their critical thinking and public speaking skills while teachers touch on Social Studies, Government, and CTE TEKS! 
http://www.TexasHighSchoolMockTrial.com

Mock Trial Brochure and How to Start a Team Packet
 

Regional Competition: TBD - between January 6 and February 10, 2017
Texas SUCCESS: Students Using Curriculum Content to Ensure Sustained Success

The following approved vendors have a statewide license to provide FREE supplemental reading and mathematics instruction to all Texas students in grades for which accelerated instruction is required. For more information visit the following TEA website:  www.texassuccess.org

Texas SUCCESS approved vendors for FREE access by Texas districts:


Got data, but need data processes?

Best practices support systemic data use characterized by alignment, integration and collaboration. How is your district supporting administrator, teacher, and student use of data to improve achievement? Let us help you analyze your current plan and support you, your administrators, and teachers in exploring ways to make data use more efficient and effective in your district and on your campus(es). Click the image to access our Data Analysis Programs and Services Flier.
Self-paced Online HB 18 Course Available to Texas Districts
  
world_grad_cap.jpg Region 12 has created an online course for HB18. This course is for Middle School teachers who will take on the task of teaching Career and College Readiness to 7th or 8th grade students as required by HB 18.

What is HB18?
House Bill 18 requires that students be taught about the diploma, coursework options,and career pathways that are available through the new Foundation HS Program. This material is required to be taught at least once to a student in 7th or 8th grade.

Before September 1, 2016, register for session #97472.

Beginning on September 1, 2016, register for session #105243

For more information, contact Andrea McNair or Denise Bell.
Continuous Improvement
Are you looking for processes to make your campus(es) more effective. If so, consider the following continuous improvement programs for your district or campus:
Build capacity and leadership on your campus to support growth and create sustainability!

In Case You Missed It: TEA Updates 

The following are links to correspondence from TEA regarding or impacting curriculum, 
instruction and assessment.
__________________________
STAAR/EOC Released Items
  • STAAR Raw Conversion Tables - 
    The raw conversion tables for all assessments have been posted to the TEA website. CLICK here to access the documents.
  • 2016 STAAR and EOC Assessments -  
    CLICK 
    here to access the released tests.
  • Statewide Summary Reports - 
    CLICK 
    here.
  • Statewide Item Analysis Reports (coming soon) -
    CLICK 
    here.
  • STAAR Student Expectations Tested - CLICK here.

The 2016 accountability ratings are available at the link below. Click the link to access accountability reports, which show accountability ratings and index scores. Please note, distinction designatio
  reports and tables sho nwing the data used to assign the ratings and award distinctions will be posted at a later date.
  • Search for ratings by district.
  • A full report of statewide ratings is also available in PDF or EXCEL format.
  • Timeline of Accountability Releases


Session Spotlights
2016-2017 Instructional Coaching Academy
Join us for a year-long journey of learning and networking in the ESC Region 12 Instructional Coaching Academy. Build the capacity of your campus-based instructional specialists and/or coaches through ongoing collaboration, support, and learning.  Topics include: leading peers, facilitating  meetings and various coaching models.

September 8 | December 12 | April 11
Cost: $295 | Includes book.
Reduced cost for Enhanced Curriculum Co-op and for campuses sending multiple coaches.

Register today to build capacity on your campus!


Contact Denise Bell with any questions:
dbell@esc12.net | (254) 297-1227
Click for a  FLIER.

Save the Date: 2016-2017 Curriculum Council & TEKS Resource System Leadership Meeting Dates


Join us in 2016-2017 for timely updates from TEA in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment and accountability,

  • September 20, 2016, Session #91484 (ILN/CC with John Wink)
  • October 12, 2016, Session #91542
  • November 16, 2016, Session #91543
  • February 15, 2017, Session #91544
  • March 21, 2017, Session #91545
  • April 18, 2017, Session #91547 (CC/ILN - World Cafe)

Send district or campus leaders in 2016-2017 to get timely content updates and implementation support for your teachers.
  • October 12, 2016, Session #91391
  • February 15, 2017, Session #91394
  • March 21, 2017, Session #91395
  • April 18, 2017, Session #91397
CLICK to access flier with all leadership meeting dates.
2016-2017 Math Series Back by Popular Demand: P.R.I.M.E. Time + PLUS

Back by popular demand!
  • Just-in-Time support for upcoming critical content standards
  • Focused sessions within narrow grade bands
  • Collaboration with colleagues from around the region
  • Personalized support from dedicated specialists

NEW features for 2016-17:
  • Fewer meetings (about every 9 weeks instead of every 6 weeks) - Only 2 sessions per semester which means less time away from instruction!
  • Explicit connections to effective mathematics instruction - Experience and explore the critical characteristics of effective math teaching to promote deeper conceptual understanding.
  • T-TESS Connections - Relating principles of effective instruction to the new T-TESS Teacher Evaluation Rubrics.
  • Accelerated meeting dates for Grades 5 and 8 - Timely support to accommodate early STAAR testing schedules.

Our first sessions start the week of September 12. We wish you well as you start a new school year and we hope to see you soon!

For session numbers and/or a flier click this LINK .
Instructional Practices Inventory

The Instructional Practices Inventory tool is an instrument that can be used on campuses to collect data about student engagement. The instrument provides an optimum profile of student engaged learning. The purpose of the instrument is to engage teachers in reflective, problem solving conversations so instructional change evolves.

Training Dates:
  • September 22, 2016, Session #
  • October 20, 2016, Session #
  • November 10, 2016, Session #
  • December 8, 2016, Session #
  • January 12, 2017, Session #
  • February 9, 2017, Session #
  • March 23, 2017, Session #
You will not be able to register online. Contact Donna Savage (297-1240) or Kristin Arterbury (297-1115) to get your campus team signed up to be trained to implement this continuous improvement process on your campus.
FREE! Hot Science, Cool Talks
Hot Science - Cool Talks is presented by the Environmental Science Institute (ESI).
This nationally recognized outreach series has been providing a means for leading researchers from the University of Texas and other prominent universities to communicate their research to the public in general and the K-12 educational community in particular since 1999.
The events feature various STEM topics, attract hundreds of attendees each time, and are held six times each academic year. Click the following link for a flier to share. Link

  • The Amazing Mission to Pluto: Three Billion Miles and We Made It! September 16, 2016
    with Dr. Alan Stern, Lead Scientist, New Horizons Mission The mission's scientific leader shares the remarkable journey and latest discoveries from the outskirts of our solar system. 
  • Some Like It Hot, Hot, Hot: When Primates Roamed Texas' Rainforests, October 21, 2016                              with Dr. Christopher Kirk, Anthropology Professor, UT Austin - Professor Kirk takes us millions of years back and discovers a time when parts of Texas were tropical rainforests and curious primates roamed.
  • Never Wait for a Doctor Again? Revolutionizing Medical Care, December 2, 2016
    with Dr. Clay Johnston, Dean, Dell Medical School
    What does the future of medical care hold? Hear how the new Dell Medical School can help make Austin a model healthy city.
           
Math Education Professional Development Opportunity
When? September 13, 2016, 5 pm - 7pm
Where? Baylor University, Marrs McLean Sciences Building

Come participate in a special professional development opportunity focused on the development of Algebraic Thinking across grade levels. After an overview provided by a national leader in mathematics education, breakout sessions for Elementary, Middle, and High school teachers focused on the use of manipulatives and technology will be offered. Door
prizes will be given out in the Closing Session.