Newly approved second cohort will open up approximately $43 million in funding that is destined for more than 4,600 Texas educators

AUSTIN, Texas — May 27, 2021—The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced four additional public school systems have been approved for a Local Designation System as part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). This announcement paves the way for 4,616 highly effective Texas educators to be recognized and additionally compensated for their excellent work in the classroom.     

The agency is currently calling for Purple Star Campus Designation applications; a webinar for interested schools will be held May 4

On March 2, 2021, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34 which addresses the statewide wearing of face coverings (i.e., masks), which takes effect March 10, 2021. TEA’s authority to implement operational requirements for public schools remains in effect (e.g., TEA’s Public Health Guidance). 

“Governor Abbott’s Executive Order (GA-34) takes effect next Wed., March 10, 2021. Updated public health guidance from TEA will be coming this week.”
 

Robust response to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has ensured Texas public school students continue to have their educational needs met

AUSTIN, Texas – January 28, 2021 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced today the release of the 2020 Annual Report and School Year 2019-20 Pocket Edition. 

Assessment results were used by schools to help inform curriculum and instruction in the fall to maximize support for students
 

“In October 2020, the Texas Education Agency conducted an intermediary data collection to better understand enrollment trends in Texas public schools year-over-year.  
 
“While overall, three percent fewer students are enrolled in public education in Texas so far this school year (SY 2020-21), the majority of that reduction is represented by early education, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten, which are optional enrollment grades. Enrollment in grades for which school attendance is mandatory (grades 1-12) has dropped by one percent. 
 

STAAR testing will proceed so parents and educators continue to understand what students have learned this year, and to gauge the impact of the pandemic on education
 

AUSTIN, Texas – November 19, 2020 – The Texas Education Agency today announced the next set of instructional materials – a full suite of resources and tools for prekindergarten – that will be made available to school systems through the Texas Home Learning 3.0 (THL 3.0) initiative. Like other THL 3.0 offerings, these instructional materials are optional, customized for Texas, and aligned to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)—the state standards for what students should know and be able to do.