Strong Start Resources

Learning Acceleration Framework

Strategies for Learning Acceleration: Planning for Just-in-Time Interventions in Math

Webinar to support LEAs in developing a just-in-time Tier One instructional strategy for learning acceleration for all learners, leveraging high quality instructional material examples from THL products.

  • LEA Curriculum & Instruction Leaders
  • Campus Leaders
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Teacher Leaders

March 25

Math Just-in-Time Interventions Presentation Slides

THL Adoption Conference

Through a series of recorded webinars and live, virtual events, districts will receive support for local-decision making related to adopting THL products. Events will include live district panels, in-depth looks at Research Based Instructional Strategies, sessions on setting your vision, opportunities to learn about the budgeting and procurement process, and many more.

District and School Leaders overseeing materials selection

Conference launches on 3/22, registration will open by 3/11

Adapting or Adopting Curriculum for Remote Instruction

Webinar series to support school districts as they consider how to adapt their current curriculum or adopt new curriculum for remote learning environments for SY20-21.

Chief Academic Officers or senior staff charged with leading or supporting curriculum or instructional materials adaptations or adoptions

Completed - click row title for links to webinars

Click link in row title

Excellence in Remote & Concurrent Instructional Delivery: Best Practices

Webinar series in a “See It, Name It, Do It” format with relevant, actionable best practices that can be implemented in any grade and content area. These are turnkey trainings designed for LEAs to turn around and deliver at the district or campus level.
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  • LEA Curriculum & Instruction Leadership
  • Campus Leaders
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Teacher Leaders
  • Teachers

January 22 –
February 10

Staffing Approaches for Delivering a Mix of Remote and On-Campus Instruction(PDF)

Webinar series to support LEAs in decision-making and teeing up implementation of alternative staffing and scheduling approaches to deliver remote and on-campus instruction, to better meet family and student needs

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Megha Kansra atMegha.Kansra@tea.texas.gov

LEA Leadership Team (Superintendents, Chief Academic Officers, and Talent/HR Leads recommended)

November 10 - December 10

Session 1 (Nov 10): Introduction to Staffing Approaches (Slides | )

Session 2: Virtual Academy Implementation Guidance (Slides | )

Session 3: Split Staffing Implementation Guidance (Slides | )

Session 4: Split Scheduling Implementation Guidance (Slides | )

The COVID Recovery Instructional Materials Support Initiative is for districts, individual schools, or open-enrollment charter schools interested in piloting Texas Home Learning (THL) Instructional Materials with a subset of schools, grades, or teachers in the spring of 2021. This pilot provides remote learning training and support for teachers, extra materials like text sets for RLA materials, and stipends for participating educators.

District and School Leaders Applications requested by 1/29/2021

Learn more in theapplication(Word) orinitiative overview(PowerPoint)

Excellence in Remote & Concurrent Instructional Delivery: Overview

Free training to prepare principals to lead remote instruction in their schools

TAA:Free “Excellence in Remote Instructional Delivery” for Principals

Principals

July 20 - August 7

Module A: Introduction to Remote Learning
(Slides | )

Module B: Driving Remote Instruction Quality and Improvement
(Slides | )

Module C: Building Staff Capacity to Deliver Remote Instruction
(Slides | )

To be posted by 12/18: Session 4: Differentiation
(Slides | Recording)

Principal Resource Guide

OnRamps Distance Learning Catalog

Free, self-paced professional development modules for educators teaching in distance or hybrid learning environments.

TAA:OnRamps Distance Learning Catalog for middle and high school teachers

Middle and High SchoolTeachers Available beginning August 13, 2020


September 10, 2020

Trauma-informed training video series for teachers designed to address these extraordinary and unprecedented needs and connect teachers to relevant science and strategies that can help address their own emotional needs as well the needs of students and colleagues.

Teachers N/A N/A

Planning
Tools
Sample
School Models

Planning Tools

Strong_Start_2020-2021.png

2020-2021 Planning Support


Tool

Description Intended Use Release

Reflection tool

Preliminary planning checklist and reflection tool that districts can use to consider how lessons from spring 2020 may translate to fall planning; Includes topics such as leadership, student performance, family engagement, technology, operations, academics, staffing, etc.

Serve as inputs into the guidebook to help LEAs develop their re-opening strategy (e.g., school models, curriculum, schedule, teacher deployment, use of space, etc.)

Posted

Survey resource

Survey question bank and guidance for LEAs to ask families and staff about their spring experience and fall desires

Posted

Planning guidebook

Set of considerations and resources for districts to use as they determine their school models and district design (curriculum, schedules, staffing, professional development, etc.) and plan for in-year contingencies

Guides LEAs through the process of designing their district and school re-opening strategy

Posted

Phased Reopening Guide

Set of considerations and guidance for districts to use as they consider how to phase-in reopening over the first 4-8 weeks of school

Guides LEAs through the process of designing a phased re-opening process Posted

Other useful planning tools & guides

  • San Antonio ISD Academic Recovery and Instructional Continuity Plan:
  • Education Resource Strategies Guiding Principles for district design:
  • Education Resources Strategies COVID Decision Points:
  • Transcend Education Planning Tools:
  • Transcend/AASA: 5 District Plans for Launching Your Schools:
  • Bellwether Education Reopening Workbook:

Other useful survey tools

Sample School Models

Model Name

Students are

Considerations

Release

Fully on-campus school models
Grades K-5, blended learning

On-campus 100% of the time

  • Provides an option for families that request 5 day a week on-campus instruction
  • Blended learning model seeks to personalize student education and experience
  • Blended learning model could transition to remote, if circumstances require it
  • Hybrid models allowed only if the district also provides daily on-campus instruction for allfamilies that request it

Posted

Grades 6-8, blended learning

On-campus 100% of the time

Posted

Grades 9-12, blended learning

On-campus 100% of the time

Posted

Fully remote school models
Grade Pre-Kindergarten

Remote 100% of the time

  • Provides an option for families that opt for completely remote learning
  • Models designed for a purely remote experience
  • Models intentionally mix synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences
  • Remote models allowed only if the district also provides daily on-campus instruction for all families that request it

Posted

Grades K-2, mix of synchronous and asynchronous

Remote 100% of the time

Posted

Grades 3-5, mostly synchronous

Remote 100% of the time

Posted

Grades 6-8 Remote 100% of the time Posted
Grades 9-12, mostly synchronous

Remote 100% of the time

Posted

Grades 9-12, mostly asynchronous Remote 100% of the time Posted
Hybrid school models
Grade Pre-Kindergarten In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings
  • Provides an option for families that prefer some on-campus and some remote instruction
  • Hybrid school models allow for more social distancing within facilities
  • Hybrid models allowed only if the district also provides daily on-campus instruction for all families that request it
Coming Soon
Grades K-5, A/B schedule

In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings

Posted

Grades K-5, Dual Track w/ one group of students attending daily

In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings

Posted

Grades 6-8, A/B schedule

In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings

Posted

Grades 6-8, Dual Track w/ one group of students attending daily

In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings

Posted

Grades 9-12, A/B schedule

In an intentionally planned mix of on-campus and remote settings

Posted

Other Sample School Models information:

  • Education Resource Strategies Key Decision on Remote School Models:
  • Education Resource Strategies Fully Remote School Scheduling Companion Guide:
  • Education Resource Strategies Six COVID Comeback School Models:
  • Transcend Education Student Grouping and Scheduling for Hybrid Learning:
  • Third Future Schools SY20-21 School Model:
  • Copenhagen International School Return to School Design:
  • Transcend Education Library of School Designs:
  • Lubbock ISD: What will a COVID day in Pre-K look like
  • Pre-K 4 SA: Remote Early Learning