The Agenda for our upcoming convening on Tuesday April 5th
Information and Links to ADA adjustment information that was released from TEA this week
Update from NEISD CTE campus visits
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Julia
Spring Convening - April 5th
On April 5th from 1pm - 5pm we will gather at the Witte Museum's Prassel Auditorium for our Spring Convening.
Our focus for the convening will be developing the first part of our legislative agenda as well and conducting a robust discussion with a panel of legislators.
Here is an overview of agenda for the convening:
An update on BCEC operations
A review of BCEC's Legislative Agenda for The 87th Legislative Session
A review of legislative topics developed from 2021/2021 district visits
A vote on and develop of top issues for 88th Legislative Agenda
A Legislative Panel with: Senator Menéndez, Representative Allison, Representative Bernal, Representative Gervin-Hawkins, and Representative Lujan
Please let me know (if you haven't already) if any of your team will be joining you for the convening.
ADA and Operational Minutes Adjustment
Earlier this week Governor Abbott announced a "funding adjustment" in order to "sustain in-person instruction." While the details at the time of the announcement were thin, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, and Commissioner Morath all made statements celebrating the announcement.
On Wednesday, TEA released a "To The Administrator Addressed" communication describing the methodology of the adjustment. You can find that communication here.
To summarize: TEA has developed a "Target Percentage Attendance Rate" (TPAR) based on average attendance of the first four six-week grading periods of the 2019-2020 school year. If a district's TPAR is higher than the attendance rate for the first four six-weeks of the 2021-2022 school year, that district's 2021-2022 school year's ADA will be automatically replaced with 2019-2020's TPAR.
On Thursday, TEA released TPAR's for each district. You can find that list here.
During an off-cycle commissioner zoom meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Morath stated that the original replacement of this year's first six-week period based on the attendance rate of this year's last six-week's period would no longer be active. He also stated that if school districts experience attendance loss during the last six-week periods district will need to apply for the low-day attendance waiver.
BCEC Campus Visits - NEISD CTE Programs
Several weeks ago I was able to visit several of NEISD's CTE programs. Huge thank-yous to Deb Caldwell for being my tour guide and the incredible campus leaders that took time out of their day to talk about the work that they are doing for NEISD students.
While our coalition has discussed the impact of recent adjustments to CTE funding and accountability, being able to speak with campus leaders about the effect of policy decisions on their students day-to-day was incredibly helpful. I now have direct educator stories that I know will be effective when meeting with elected officials. Furthermore, BCEC will now have several additional subject matter experts that we can call on during the upcoming legislative session to discuss CTE funding and accountability.
I'd love to get to know more of your campuses, add to the list of incredible subject matter experts that we can call on during session, and hear the concerns and issues that are impacting your educators.
