Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO)

What is LASO?

The Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) is the next iteration of a universal consolidated application cycle that strategically batches grant funding opportunities that are supporting with continued learning acceleration and innovation opportunities.

LASO 2022-2023 Winter Grant Opportunities

LASO program grants will be focused on three of the five learning acceleration strategies: Instructional Materials, More Time and Innovative School Models.

Strategic Planning Instructional Materials Teacher Pipelines More Time Innovative School Models

icon


Strategic planning and performance management to prioritize, launch, and continuously improve learning acceleration strategies


icon


Rigorous, high-quality instructional materials designed to make up ground and master grade level TEKS


icon


Talent pipelines that support teachers to deliver excellence in the classroom, getting more than 1 year of growth in 1 year


icon


More time for the students in most need, including expanding instructional time in the summer and with targeted tutoring


icon


Innovative school models to incorporate all of the learning acceleration framework


For general follow up questions, email LASO@tea.texas.gov. For program specific questions, please email the contact for each grant found in the cards below.

Estimated LASO Funding and Award Ranges

Grant Program Estimated Total Funding Available Estimated Range of award Estimated Number of Awards
Strong Foundations Implementation Supports

~60 Million*​

In-kind​ 75-175 LEAs (will vary based on size of LEAs)
Strong Foundations  Planning Supports ~15 Million*​ ~ Up to $400K​ 50-250 LEAs (will vary based on size of LEA)
PTECH- Pathway in Technology Early College ~1 Million​ ~ Up to 100K​ 10 LEAs​
ECHS- Early College High School ~1 Million ~ Up to 100K 10 LEAs
School Action Fund ~9.5 Million ~ Up to 500K 30 campuses
Technology Lending Grant ~11 Million ~ Up to 225K 50-100 LEAs
Blended Learning Grant ~9 Million ~ Up to 500K 25- 50 LEAs
ADSY Planning and Execution Program - Summer ~1-3 Million* In- Kind 25- 50 LEAs

 

Key Grant Information

Instructional Materials

Strong Foundations Implementation Supports

Program Description

Two Strong Foundations grant supports will be offered: (1) Implementation Supports, for LEAs ready to implement high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) in school year 2023-24, and (2) Planning Supports for LEAs ready to commit to a planning year in school year 2023-24. 

This opportunity describes Option 1: Strong Foundations Implementation Supports grant, which provides in-kind supports for pre-implementation planning, as well as content- and product-specific professional learning for teachers, coaches, and administrators on effectively implementing HQIM.

▼ Read More and See Additonal Resources

Contact Information

Valerie Johnson
Director Instructional Materials & Implementation
strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov
512-463-6230

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Implementation of approved core products | Implementation with fidelity of approved core products for K-5 RLA (Amplify Texas Elementary Literacy Program, Amplify Texas Lectoescritura En Español) and/or K-5 Math (Eureka Math TEKS Edition), including following the year-long scope and sequence, meeting the minimum number of instructional minutes, and using the curriculum-embedded assessments
  • Participation of school leaders and coaches | Participation of at least 1 school leader per participating campus and at least 1 coach per product (coaches may include instructional coaches, administrators, or other individuals directly supporting teachers)
  • Participation of senior leadership | Participation of at least 1 senior district leader at monthly communities of practice
  • Professional Learning | Completion of all required professional learning by teachers, coaches, and administrators. 
  • Data | Commitment to submitting all required data
  • Printed Instructional Materials | Ensuring all participating teachers and students have print materials (note: in-kind print support is only included for LEAs awarded CRIMSI)

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~$60 million
  • Estimated range of award | This is in-kind technical assistance only with no direct funding for LEAs
  • Estimated number of awards | 75-175 LEAs (will vary based on the size of LEAs awarded)

Eligibility

LEAs implementing approved core products in one or more of the following:

  • K-5 RLA (Amplify Texas Elementary Literacy Program)
  • K-5  RLA (Amplify Texas Lectoescritura En Español)  
  • K-5 Math (Eureka Math TEKS Edition) 

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | March 2023
End Date | August 2024

Instructional Materials

Strong Foundations Planning Supports

Program Description

Two Strong Foundations grant supports will be offered: (1) Implementation Supports, for LEAs ready to implement high quality curriculum in school year 2023-24, and (2) Planning Supports for LEAs ready to commit to a planning year in school year 2023-24. 

This opportunity describes Option 2: Strong Foundations Planning grant provides support to LEAs to develop a strong instructional framework in math or literacy, provides optional adoption supports in selecting new HQIM if LEAs choose to make a materials switch; and trainings to support creating systems to effectively manage instruction at the district level.

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Hannah Cox
Director, High Quality Instructional Materials Adoption Strategy
strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Instructional Framework Creation | Create a vision and instructional framework for the content area (Math or Literacy) that the LEA selects
  • Collective Learning | Completion of all required trainings on the research-based instructional strategies covering math or RLA, assessment, and implementation best practices by LEA’s selected committee
  • Participation of senior leadership | Participation of at least 1 senior district leader at monthly communities of practice
  • Creation of District Committee | Districts must create a committee including teachers, coaches, school leaders, and district leaders to participate in collective learning on the research-based instructional strategies and contribute to the creation of an instructional framework

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~15 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~400K
  • Estimated number of awards | 50-250 LEAs (will vary based on size of LEA

Eligibility

LEAs are eligible to apply

  • LEAs that have previously engaged in the Strong Foundations Framework Development Grant may not re-apply for the same subject area focus as previous grant cycles
  • Prior grantees for the Strong Foundations Framework Development Grant are eligible applicants in new subject areas 

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | SY 23-24 
End Date | SY 24-25

Instructional Materials

Technology Lending Grant

Program Description

The Technology Lending Grant program awards grant funds to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide students the equipment necessary to access and use digital instructional materials at school and at home.   

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Lisa Walker
Digital Content Manager
Techlending@tea.texas.gov
512-463-9601

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Current Equipment and Tech Plan | Applicants must provide the availability of existing equipment to students in the LEA and other funding available for the purchase of student technology devices. TEA may request the LEA's technology plan.
  • ​​​​Performance Data | The LEA may, upon TEA request, provide any performance data necessary to assess the success of the program.
  • TEA Available Materials | The LEA must ensure that devices will be prioritized for classrooms and students using TEA available materials (Texas Open Educational Resources). 
  • Training | The LEA must provide the teacher, associated instructional coach, and students with training in the proper use of the device within 90 days of installation of the device in the classroom.

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~11 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~225K
  • Estimated number of awards | 50-100 LEAs

Eligibility

  • Eligible applicants include school districts and open-enrollment charter schools

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | February 2023 
End Date | April 2024

Instructional Materials

Blended Learning Grant

Program Description

The Blended Learning grant will support school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to plan and implement a high-quality blended learning model in math (through Math Innovation Zones - MIZ) and/or reading language arts (RLA) aligned with a TEA open education resource (OER) core curriculum.

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Michael Strange
Blended Learning Program Manager
blendedlearning@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9616
 

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Planning Deliverables | The LEA will submit items such as a master schedule, assessment calendar, stakeholder engagement plan, professional learning calendars, etc.
  • Project Management | The LEA will designate and provide a district-level project manager who will be available to dedicate approximately 50% of his or her time to designing and implementing the Blended Learning plan.  
  • Training | The LEA will complete all required trainings to build competency in the online curriculum.
  • Communities of Practice | The LEA will participate in required communities of practice and any additional grant program meetings. 

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~9 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~500K
  • Estimated number of awards | 25-50 LEAs

Eligibility

LEAs who have participated in:

  • COVID Response Instructional Materials Initiative (CRIMSI) or 
  • TCLAS Decision 2 State Approved Vendor List to implement a TEA-available math or RLA OER products

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | June 2023 
End Date | April 2025

More Time

Additional Days School Year Planning and Execution Program – Summer (ADSY PEP Summer)

Program Description

High-quality, evidence-based summer learning programs help to prevent summer slide, i.e., learning loss created by the lack of student engagement in rigorous content between academic school years. Prekindergarten through 5th grade campuses are eligible for this grant and will undertake a year-long planning process to design a research-based summer program that enables districts to strengthen implementation of Additional Days School Year (ADSY) funding.

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Brian Doran
Director of Expanded Learning Models
adsy@tea.texas.gov
512-936-6066

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Planning Deliverables | The LEA will complete and submit items such as a comprehensive strategic plan over the course of their planning year.
  • Project Management | The LEA will designate and provide a district-level project manager who will spearhead a steering committee to complete the Strategic Plan.  
  • Communities of Practice | The LEA will participate in required communities of practice and any additional grant program meetings. 
  • High Quality Instructional Materials | The LEA agrees to utilize high quality instructional materials for math and reading language arts instruction as defined in the program requirements.
  • Summer Program Parameters | The LEA agrees to design a research-based summer program of at least 25 6-hour days, with three hours devoted to math and reading instruction.

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available |~ 1-3 Million
  • Estimated range of award | This is in-kind technical assistance only with no direct funding for LEAs from TEA
  • Estimated number of awards | 25-50 LEAs

Eligibility

Any Local Education Agency (LEA) intending to utilize ADSY funding for a summer program that includes at least one grade level from PK-5 may apply. ADSY eligibility requirements, such as a 180-day instructional calendar at participating campuses, do not need to be met until the execution year (2024-2025). 

Participation in this grant program is not required to access ADSY funding itself, but rather is intended to strengthen ADSY implementation through evidence-based planning and implementation practices.

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | Summer 2024
End Date | Summer 2025

Innovative School Models

P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School)

Program Description

The P-TECH grant offers campuses an opportunity to plan to build a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) within their district.  P-TECH Academies offer opportunities for students to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously earning industry certifications, and/or an associate degree on or before the sixth anniversary of a student's first day of high school and at no cost to the student.

The P-TECH grant requires a campus to maintain a partnership with an institution of higher education (IHE) that will serve to provide dual credit opportunities to the P-TECH academy and with a business/industry partner to provide work-based support.

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Mary Hausle
CCRSM Coordinator
ccrsm@tea.texas.gov
512-463-9371

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • Community College Partnership | The LEA partners with the identified community college to implement the PTECH model
  • P-TECH Blueprint | The P-TECH campus will implement the design elements included within the 6 benchmarks of the P-TECH Blueprint and strive to fulfill the state standard for student success as measured by the outcomes-based measures.
  • Recruitment Plan | P-TECH campuses must establish recruitment and enrollment processes and requirements that are open to all students
  • CTE study | P-TECH campuses must provide for a TEA CTE program of study that enables a participating student in grade levels 9–12 to combine high school courses and postsecondary courses.
  • Postsecondary Training | P-TECH campuses must enter into an articulation agreement with accredited institution of higher education to postsecondary educational and training opportunities
  • Industry experience | P-TECH campuses must enter into a MOU with regional industry or business partners in Texas to provide access to students for appropriate work-based education at every grade level  

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~1 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~100K
  • Estimated number of awards | 10 LEAs 

Eligibility

LEAs that:

  • Serve students in Grades 9–12; or 
  • Will begin serving students in Grade 9 or students in Grades 9 and 10 in the first year of implementation (2024-2025) and will progressively scale up by adding at least one grade level per year after the first year of implementation
  • Recipients of the 2018–2019 P-TECH and ICIA Planning Grant 2019-2020 P-TECH and ICIA Planning Grant, 2018–2020 P-TECH and ICIA Success Grant, the 2019-2021 P-TECH and ICIA Success Grant, the 2020-2022 P-TECH and ICIA Planning and Implementation Grant, the 2021 – 2023 P-TECH Planning and Implementation grant, the 2021-2023 CCRSM P-TECH Planning and Implementation Grant, the TCLAS 1.0 Decision 9a P-TECH Planning and Implementation or 9b P-TECH Success or the 2020-2022 P-TECH Success Grant are not eligible for this grant.

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin date | SY 23-24 
End Date | SY 24-25

Innovative School Models

ECHS (Early College High School)

Program Description

The ECHS grant offers campuses an opportunity to plan to build an Early College High School within their district.  Early College High Schools (ECHS) offer opportunities for campuses to provide targeted supports for historically underserved students through rigorous instruction and accelerated postsecondary courses to provide academic and wrap around strategies that help students succeed in college level coursework at no cost to the students.

The ECHS grant requires a campus to maintain a partnership with an institution of higher education (IHE) that will serve to provide dual credit opportunities to the ECHS.

▼ Read more

Contact Information

Mary Hausle
CCRSM Coordinator
ccrsm@tea.texas.gov
512-463-9371

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • ECHS model planning and implementation | LEAs will engage in 29 months of ECHS model planning and implementation design elements and requirements aligned to the 2020-21 ECHS Blueprint
  • Crosswalks | Together, the LEA and IHE develop course equivalency crosswalks which lead to Level 1 and Level 2 certificates, associate degrees, or completion of the Texas Core Curriculum to provide stackable credentials as students advance on the academic pipeline.

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~1 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~100K
  • Estimated number of awards | 10 LEAs 

Eligibility

LEAs that:

  • Currently serve students in Grades 9–12 
  • Will begin serving students in Grade 9 or students in Grades 9 and 10 in the first year of implementation (2024-2025) and will progressively scale up by adding at least one grade level per year after the first year of implementation
  • Recipients of the 2021–2023 ECHS Planning and Implementation Grant and the 2022 – 2024 ECHS Planning Grant are not eligible for this grant.

Approximate Program Timeline

Planning Year | SY 23-24 
Implementation Year | SY 24-25

Innovative School Models

School Action Fund

Program Description

The SAF grant provides technical assistance, resources, and grant funds to support school actions for individual campuses. School districts also receive support in adopting a broader continuous improvement strategy to improve schools and provide parents and families with the schools and programs they want and need.

▼ Read more

Key Program Commitments to Consider

Note: Intended to provide key program commitments, not an exhaustive list of program assurances or requirements.

  • School Action Selection | The LEA will select one of the eligible school actions and related models (restart, create a new school, redesign, or reassign).
  • Commitment to a Whole School Action | The LEA will complete a whole school model action, which may require changes to current school approach to staffing, scheduling, curriculum, instruction, culture, and other aspects of the school model (depending on model selection).
  • Impactful School Leader Release Time | The LEA must craft methods to ensure campus leaders are guaranteed  release time to design, plan, implement, and shepherd the work of school actions for their school and community.
  • Project Management | Districts will identify a qualified Project Manager. The applicant may use grant funds or other funds for this position.
  • HQIM | LEAs will commit to selecting, adopting, and implementing with fidelity high-quality instructional materials to be integrated into the design and implementation of the chosen action.
  • Eligibility | Districts may apply for a school action at a Title I-serving Comprehensive OR Targeted campus. Districts may also opt to create a new school that will be Title I and prioritize students zoned for comprehensive/targeted campuses. Campuses with a School Action Fund grant in 2019 or later are not eligible. 

Funding Estimates

  • Estimated total funding available | ~7 million
  • Estimated range of award | LEAs can receive up to ~500K
  • Estimated number of awards | 30 campuses

Eligibility

  • Eligible applicants are LEAs serving Title I Comprehensive Schools and Targeted Schools, based on school year 2021-2022 ratings
  • For new schools, there must be clear intent to obtain Title I status for the SY 2024-2025
  • A campus may not have received funding from the 2019-2020 School Action Fund (SAF) Planning grant or any subsequent School Action Fund grants, or a TCLAS Decision 10 grant
  • Applicants pursuing a SAF implementation grant may not receive concurrent funding from the 2021-2023 Effective Schools Framework-Focused Support (ESF-FS) grant

Approximate Program Timeline

Begin Date | March 2023
End Date | June 2024

Campuses that meet program milestones may be eligible for continuation funding to support the implementation of the school action.

Date Event

October 17th - 18th, 2022

General Webinar

November 7th, 2022 Application Opening Date
November 14th, 2022

Grant Specific Webinars

November 15th, 2022

Grant Specific Webinars

November 16th, 2022

Grant Specific Webinars

November 17th, 2022

Grant Specific Webinars

November 18th, 2022

Grant Specific Webinars

December 22nd, 2022

Application Closing Date
Name Date Time Registration Link
Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI)

Tuesday, November 29

2-3 pm

Registration Link

Strong Foundations Planning (SFP) Wednesday, November 30 3-4 pm

Registration Link

Early College High School (ECHS) Friday, December 2 12-1 pm

Registration Link

Pathways in Technology Early College High School Friday, December 2 1-2 pm

Registration Link

School Action Fund Thursday, December 1 9-10 am Registration Link
Technology Lending Grant Thursday, December 1 10-11 am Registration Link
Blended Learning Grant Monday, November 28 1-2 pm Registration Link
Blended Learning Grant Monday, December 5 1-2 pm Registration Link
Additional Days School Year (ADSY PEP) Wednesday, November 30 2-3 pm Registration Link
SFI Print Materials Office Hours Tuesday, November 29 1-2 pm Registration Link
ESC Strong Foundations Implementation Supports Webinar Monday, December 5 9-10 am Registration Link
ESC Strong Foundations Implementation Supports Office Hours #1 Wednesday, December 7 2-3 pm Registration Link
ESC Strong Foundations Implementation Supports Office Hours #2 Friday, December 9 2-3 pm Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Webinar Thursday, December 1 9-10am Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Office Hours #1 Monday, December 5 10-11am Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Office Hours #2 Friday, December 9 10-11am Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Local Implementation Webinar Tuesday, November 29 9-10am Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Local Implementation Office Hours #1 Thursday, December 1 10-11am Registration Link
SFI CRIMSI Local Implementation Office Hours #2 Thursday, December 8 10-11am Registration Link
Strong Foundations Professional Development Tuesday, December 6 10-11am Registration Link
Strong Foundations Implementation Assurances Wendesday, December 7 10-11am Registration Link
SFI Amplify Texas Elementary Literacy Program (K-2) Monday, November 28 10am-11am Registration Link
SFI Amplify Texas Elementary Literacy Program (3-5) Wednesday, November 30 10am-11am Registration Link
SFI Amplify Texas Lectoescritura en Español (K-5) Tuesday, November 29 10am-11am Registration Link
SFI Eureka Math TEKS Edition (K-5) Friday, December 2 10am-11am Registration Link

 

Contact Information

For general questions, email LASO@tea.texas.gov. For program specific questions, please email the contacts below:

Grant Contact Name Email
Strong Foundations Implementation Supports

Valerie Johnson

strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov
Strong Foundations Planning Supports Hannah Cox strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov
Technology Lending  Lisa Walker techlending@tea.texas.gov
Blended Learning Grant Michael Strange blendedlearning@tea.texas.gov
ADSY PEP Summer Brian Doran adsy@tea.texas.gov
P-TECH, ECHS Mary Hausle ccrsm@tea.texas.gov
School Action Fund Laura Hyatt laura.hyatt@tea.texas.gov

Resources

Title Description
LASO Overview General Webinar (Recording | Slide Deck | FAQ)

The general webinar deck and recording provides information on the following:

  • Overview of Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) Grant
  • Application Timeline and Key Components
  • Key Resources Available
LASO Grant-Specific One Pagers

The LASO One Pager Overview document provides key preliminary grant information like: Program Description, Program Commitments, Eligibility, Program Timeline, Funding.

LASO Grant Overview Deck Provides overview of the grants included in the LASO cycle.
Strong Foundations Technical Assistance Provider Information More information for technical assistance providers interested in applying to become an approved provider for the Strong Foundations Planning grant.
LASO State Approved Vendors The Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) state approved vendor guide is a pre-vetted list of organizations that TEA has determined have the experience and expertise to support local education agencies (LEAs) with these grant opportunities. The vendor list is organized by LASO grant to help LEAs explore available support and vendor partnerships. 
Learning Acceleration in Math TEA Supports for Acceleration Math Achievement
LASO Award List The purpose of this document is to showcase the LASO award summary for LEAs. LEAs are listed alphabetically. Please find in the columns labeled for each LASO initiative a 'yes' indicating the LEA was awarded the corresponding LASO initiative grant, and a 'no' if the LEA was not selected for award for the corresponding LASO initiative grant.