Building Capacity…

…at the State level

Rapid Response Service

TEA staff can call upon Center staff to compile research-based information to address specific policy and NCLB implementation questions. This service is designed to assist TEA staff in promptly addressing queries from policymakers or school district personnel, as well as to help inform them on aspects of their own work.

Technical Assistance Sessions

The Center will provide logistical support, facilitation, and resources for TEA staff to collaborate on development of plans or products that address a specific need. The Authentic Task Approach will be employed to offer participant teams approximately three to four days of sheltered time to focus on a self-defined problem, identify desired outcomes, utilize resources, reflect on progress, and create a finished plan or product.

Technical Assistance Descriptive Data System (TADDS)

TADDS is complex database that captures a wide array of data and supports TEA in their efforts to monitor and assess the impact of the technical assistance and professional development occurring in high-needs schools in Texas. This tool is currently under development and will be linked to the Database of High-Needs Schools (described below).

Database of High-Needs Schools

In collaboration with TEA, Center staff will conduct an annual review of school performance data to identify and develop profiles for two categories of high-needs schools: those that have failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for a single year, and those identified for School Improvement. The database, accessible through a password-protected area of this Web site, will include demographic and performance data, and serve as an information resource and planning tool for Center and TEA staff.

Annual Texas Forum

The Texas Comprehensive Center conducts an annual forum to address key NCLB-related topics for the staff of TEA, the School Improvement Resource Center, the Statewide School Support Initiative, and NCLB technical assistance providers at intermediary agencies. These forums are designed to facilitate networking, share information about how Texas is addressing problems and challenges related to NCLB implementation, provide updates on Federal guidance, present information from other states regarding their practices related to this guidance, and to increase understanding of priority issues.

…at the Regional level

Instructional Leadership

Training of Trainers for Regional ESC Specialists to build their capacity to conduct needs assessments and assist high-need schools select a focus for improvement efforts, establish goals and develop plans, select and implement research-based instructional materials and approaches, monitor activities designed to improve student outcomes, and reflect and collect and analyze data to evaluate the impact of efforts on student achievement.

Instructional Practice

Training of Trainers for ESC specialists to assist high-need schools in selecting and implementing research-based instructional materials and approaches, and in monitoring implementation of activities designed to improve student outcomes, particularly for English language learners, special education students, and students at risk of failing to complete high school. Areas of focus will include language and literacy, special education, mathematics, and science.

Web Based Resources

Best Practices

Information and links to best practices addressing a range of school improvement and instructional content areas for closing the achievement gap among different groups of students. It will also include emerging strategies for increasing high school completion, encouraging post-secondary education, and information regarding the extent to which these practices, activities, strategies, or programs meet the NCLB definition of research-based.

Online Professional Development

Regional ESC staff may participate in the facilitator training for ALT Online and then offer this course to teachers in their respective regions. Over time, additional online professional development will be offered.

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The Texas Comprehensive Center is housed at SEDL in Austin, Texas. Our partners include the Texas Education Agency, the Regional Education Service Centers of Texas, and the Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations.