Strong Foundations Math and Literacy Framework Development Grant

The Strong Foundations Math and Literacy Framework Development Grant application is now open for local educational agencies (LEAs), including districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The grant provides technical assistance to support a comprehensive collective learning experience with leaders and staff across the LEA, focused on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and what research says about how students learn reading and math. The grant also provides technical assistance to help LEAs develop a strong literacy and/or math framework aligned to current research. The goal of the framework is to help LEAs ensure all existing instructional priorities are aligned with research and to build a shared understanding and unified vision of success with LEA staff around the “why” behind all LEA priorities to support learning acceleration. LEAs who have completed this work have highlighted it as a critical component to manage change in the aftermath of COVID-19 response. LEAs awarded can also provide stipends to participating LEA staff and join communities of practice with other LEA leaders doing this work.

This grant is one component of the broader Strong Foundations Grant Program (Texas Education Code, Sec. 29.0881) established through House Bill 4545, 87th Regular Session, 2021, that offers multiple years of LEA support and is intended to increase the percentage of third grade students reading on grade level. Therefore, LEAs participating in this grant will receive priority access to future TEA planning and implementation supports that are part of the broader Strong Foundations program.

Grant Release Timeline

There are two main grant timeline options for LEAs to choose from based on their local context.

The first option supports LEAs who want to complete this work during the upcoming 2022-2023 school year (SY). This will allow LEAs to access additional implementation supports coming available for SY 2023-2024. For LEAs interested in this timing option, the application opened on June 22, 2022, and will have two closing dates to accommodate LEAs applying:

• July 29, 2022 – First Closing Date
• August 26, 2022 – Second Closing Date

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will process and award applications after each closing date and will hold slots for LEAs for both closing date options. The July application closing date will allow LEAs to start grant activities earlier in the school year, but both closing dates set LEAs on an ideal timeline to implement their framework and aligned supports during SY 2023-2024.

The second timing option supports LEAs that want to delay the start of this work until SY 2023-2024 to support changes they want to make in SY 2024-2025. A winter 2022 application will be available for LEAs that prefer this timing option.

Next Steps

Step 1: Learn more about the grant through a variety of offerings

The application is designed to confirm whether an LEA is interested in this grant and willing to commit to grant assurances. There are no written or narrative responses required to access funds. Given this, TEA seeks to provide LEA leaders with multiple learning opportunities while the grant application is open to help them explore whether they wish to apply to the grant. All learning opportunities are open to all LEA and campus staff based on available capacity. All learning supports are outlined below and will be recorded and posted on the TEA website while the grant application is open.

1. Grant Overview Webinars – Join TEA for a webinar covering an overview of the grant, key district benefits, requirements, timelines, and FAQs. Select from the following dates:
   Grant Overview Webinar Registration for June 27, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
   Grant Overview Webinar Registration for July 11, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
2. District Panels – Join sessions to hear from districts that have recently developed a math/literacy framework and/or are starting some of this work. They will share their experience, why they invested in this work and how it has helped them better serve students.
   District Panel Registration for June 28, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
   District Panel Registration for July 14, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
   District Panel Registration for August 18, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
3. Research Learning Series – Join a literacy and/or math research overview series to learn about research topics that LEAs can more deeply explore within their LEAs as a part of this grant.
   1. Math Research-Based Topics
      Math Research-Based Learning Session Registration for June 29, 2022, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT
      Math Research-Based Learning Session Registration for July 18, 2022, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CT
      Math Research-Based Learning Session Registration for August 19, 2022, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT
   2. Reading Language Arts Research-Based Topics
      RLA Research-Based Learning Session Registration for June 30, 2022, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT
      RLA Research-Based Learning Session Registration for July 19, 2022, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CT
      RLA Research-Based Learning Session Registration for August 25, 2022, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT

Step 2: Let us know you are interested

Submit this short Notice of Intent Form, if you plan to apply. This will help us determine if we can offer additional learning supports while the grant application is open.

Step 3: Apply!

If interested, submit your application by July 29, 2022, or by August 26, 2022. The application is posted online at the Strong Foundations Math and Literacy Framework Development Grant application.

Questions?

District or charter leadership may schedule a 1:1 consultation with the team to discuss local context and needs. Schedule a Strong Foundations Math and Literacy Framework Development Grant Consult with TEA.

LEAs may submit any outstanding questions to TEA via Strong Foundations Math and Literacy Framework Development Grant District Questions or may contact StrongFoundations@tea.texas.gov for more information about this grant opportunity.