In The News
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| Press Releases | | 03/1/2010 - | Responding to the Needs of Young Latino Children: State Efforts to Build Comprehensive Early Learning Systems | | | Recent policy developments and investments in early care and education (ECE) reflect a renewed commitment to improving the school readiness and, ultimately, the school success of young children. Most importantly, these new proposals present a prime opportunity to incentivize states to design early learning systems that meet the needs Latino children. This white paper examines how states are working to build comprehensive early learning standards and to address issues of professional development to ensure the success of Latino and English language learner children and families. Based on interviews with state leaders, the white paper reveals that states have a long way to go to develop early learning programs that are responsive to the needs of Latino and English language leaner children and families.
You can download the report HERE | | 02/10/2010 - | State Rep. Diane Patrick Speaks on the Veto of HB 130. | | | Many states confronting fiscal deficits have put pre-K expansion on hold or cut services. Texas, with its energy-rich economic base, was almost an exception. Last year, the Texas Legislature approved HB 130, a bill providing $300 million to expand full-day pre-K to 7,000 more kids and improve quality by reducing child-adult classroom ratios and phasing in higher teacher qualifications. In a move that surprised many, Governor Rick Perry vetoed the bill even though it enjoyed the broadest bipartisan support of any bill in the Legislature and was sponsored by fellow Republican Diane Patrick. As a result, pre-K's funding increase was cut to $25 million. Preschool Matters asked Representative Patrick, a former teacher, what she thinks about preschool education in Texas and the chances of revisiting her bill.
Read the interview from NIEER HERE. | | 02/8/2010 - | Letter to All Stakeholders Regarding Early Childhood Intervention Eligibility Criteria | | | From the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
In December 2008, stakeholders representing various perspectives on the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) were invited to participate in a two-day meeting in Austin. The goal of the meeting was to develop stakeholder-driven recommendations for potential changes to ECI eligibility criteria in the event that there was no increase in funding for the program in the 2010-11 biennium.
Looking ahead to the 2012-13 biennium, we again face the possibility that ECI services cannot continue to be delivered at current funding levels. Should that occur, a narrowing of eligibility for the program remains one of several options being considered. DARS conducted eight statewide meetings in January to allow stakeholders, especially families who have received ECI services, to share their ideas on how we might best use limited dollars to provide the services most important to children and families.
These efforts are part of a voluntary, comprehensive internal evaluation of the ECI program. The information gathered will help DARS provide valuable information to legislators as they consider the agency's funding request for ECI for the 2012-13 biennium. DARS anticipates a significant funding request and, coupled with the economic challenges facing the state, we must be prepared to offer alternative service levels in ECI consistent with available resources.
Some people have expressed concern that a narrowing of ECI eligibility is imminent, but that is not the case. The General Appropriations Act, 81R, Article II Sec. 47, prohibits the agency from narrowing eligibility in ECI during the current biennium without direction from the Health and Human Services Commission, the Legislative Budget Board and Governor's Office. Likewise, future decisions regarding changes to ECI eligibility will be conditioned on direction from the legislature.
Now that the public comment period is over we will focus on the next phase of the evaluation, in which we examine our contract structure with providers and explore ways to maximize funding while adhering to parameters imposed by Federal and State regulations. We are committed to investigating every available option to ensure maximum benefits for children who are in need of our services.
I would like to thank the parents, physicians and providers who spent several days together developing the recommendations presented for public comment, and the hundreds of people who attended and provided testimony at the hearings or submitted written comments. Your concern for children with developmental delays and your support for ECI is very evident and much appreciated. Our goal is to safeguard ECI's long term viability while ensuring alignment with the strengths and priorities of the program.
Thank you again for your continued support and interest.
Sincerely,
Terrell I. Murphy
Commissioner | | 02/4/2010 - | Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas first Native American tribe to achieve Texas School Ready! certification | | | Inside a meeting room on the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) reservation, a warm welcome awaits John Gasko, Ph.D., and his colleagues from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's Children's Learning Institute. The Houston contingent joins state lawmakers, superintendents, school board members, mayors from neighboring towns, educators, parents, children and a large contingent of tribal administrators and members, including Chairman of the Tribal Council Juan Garza, Jr.
To read the whole story click HERE | | 10/15/2009 - | Register now for the TAIMH annual meeting 11/19/2009 | | | The Texas Association for Infant Mental Health will host its annual meeting on November 19, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Don't miss out!
This year's Annual Meeting and Conference features a sample Food For Thought session, the Julie Ann Mason Memorial Lecturer, Dr. Carrie Contey, and 2008 T. Berry Brazelton, MD, Infant Mental Health Award Winner, Dr. Karyn Purvis.
Register at http://www.taimh.org/ | | 10/5/2009 - | Register now for the annual TAASPYC Symposium 10/19/2009 | | | The Texas Association of Administrators and Supervisors of Programs for Young Children (TAASPYC) is hosting their annual symposium In Houston, Texas, October 19-20, 2009.
Join other early childhood professionals to hear national and state speakers. This is an outstanding two day symposium focuses on early childhood education and advocacy.
For more information click HERE. | | 08/24/2009 - | New dropout research reveals striking costs to Texas economy | | | Press release from United Ways of Texas
New dropout research reveals striking costs to Texas economy
AUSTIN, Texas- August 24, 2009- On a day where many children and their families are gearing up for a new school year, a number of Texas students will not be taking steps through the school halls - those who have dropped out of school.
A recently released report commissioned by United Ways of Texas and authored by The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University shines new light on the economic implications of Texas’ dropout crisis.
The report, titled The ABCD’s of Texas Education: Assessing the Benefits and Costs of Reducing the Dropout Rate, found that based on Texas’ dropout rate, students that should graduate with the class of 2012 but drop out before graduation will cost Texas up to $9.6 billion over their lifetime.
The figure is based on cost projections for lost wages and taxes, increased welfare payments and incarceration costs. The report describes the economic implications of Texas’ dropout situation as “striking and worrisome”.
“The 9.6 billion dollar dropout price tag is astounding, but unfortunately it is not just a one-time cost to our state,” said Karen R. Johnson, President and CEO of United Ways of Texas. “A new cohort of students drops out each year, compounding the figure year after year and costing our state even more down the road.”
The report also found that because Texas will have fewer students in its education system, dropouts will actually save the state up to $1.1 billion in education-related costs each year. However, the report noted that despite the significant investment to keep these students in school, Texas would see a substantial long-term monetary gain from educating students who otherwise would have dropped out of school.
“We recognize that many lawmakers, teachers, administrators, organizations, parents and others are doing all they can to increase the numbers of students who graduate from high school,” said Johnson. “However, this report further indicates that in order to ensure Texas’ future economic health, our state has a lot of work still left to do. Most importantly, Texans need good information about the real cost of our inability to address the dropout crisis.”
For more information about the report, please contact Stephanie Guidry at stephanie.guidry@uwtexas.org or (512) 372-9209.
### | | 06/11/2009 - | Business Leaders Gather in Houston for Early Education Summit | | | Austin, Texas—June 11, 2009— On June 16, 2009, 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. business, education, and community leaders from across Texas will attend the Texas Leadership Summit on Early Education at the United Way of Greater Houston.
Keynote speaker, Robert H. Dugger Ph.D., Chairman of the Partnership for America’s Economic Success will address the audience with the key message that investing in children is investing in Texas’ economic success. His presentation will be followed by a panel of state and national speakers, including:
• Robert G. Lynch Ph.D., Author of Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development
• Marcia Page, President and CEO, Foundation for Community Empowerment
• Ken Zornes, Executive Director, Texas Business and Education Coalition
• Ken Wilson, President, Bank of America, Central and South Texas Market
“The best way we can ask for support from the business community is to provide these leaders with great examples of what works, and how to lead on this issue,” said Kara Johnson Executive Director of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC). “These speakers know what is needed and what can be done to help,” she continued.
The Texas Leadership Summit on Early Education is sponsored by ExxonMobil and is an initiative of TECEC, United Ways of Texas, and United Way of Greater Houston’s Bright Beginnings. The purpose of the event is to build a bridge between business and early education policymakers in Texas. Policymakers and early education experts are attending the event to serve as a resource to business leaders on this important topic.
The summit comes at a particularly interesting time in Texas early education politics, as early education supporters throughout the state are anxiously awaiting that Governor Rick Perry’s HB 130, the popular full-day high-quality pre-k bill that recently passed the Texas Legislature with overwhelming majorities in both the House and the Senate. The Governor has until June 21, 2009 to sign bills into law. After that deadline, pending bills will become law, unless the Governor elects to exercise his veto power.
“HB 130 and the upcoming Leadership Summit reflect the strong bi-partisan support behind early childhood education in Texas,” said Dr. Donald Smith, TECEC Director of Research and Public Policy. “This is an exceptional opportunity for Governor Perry to affirm bi-partisan politics in Texas, while supporting the education of thousands of our youngest Texans. We are hoping we can announce the signing of HB 130 to all of our important guest on June 16,” he continued.
### | | 04/13/2009 - | Catch Dr. Bruce Perry On LivingSmart on Houston PBS/Channel 8-May 10th at 3:00pm and May 15th at 10:00pm | | | Catch Dr. Bruce Perry On LivingSmart on Houston PBS/Channel 8-May 10th at 3:00pm and May 15th at 10:00pm
Living Smart is a weekly, half-hour interview and news magazine program focusing on personal well-being. Living Smart covers spiritual, financial, personal, mental, physical, emotional, and educational aspects of well-being. Living Smart provides a wealth of information to improve your quality of life.
The program features Dr. Bruce Perry, who, for the last 20 years, has been an active teacher, clinician, and researcher in children’s mental health and the neurosciences. He has been the Federal Government’s consultant for incidents involving traumatized children such as Branch Davidian siege, the Columbine school shootings, the September 11th terrorist attack, Katrina and Rita hurricanes, among many others.
Read more about Dr. Bruce Perry here.
Read more about LivingSmart here. | | 04/17/2008 - | House Subcommittee Meeting on Early Childhood Education on April 21 | | | The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, chaired by Rep. Diane Patrick, will meet Monday, April 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM in Room E2.036 at the Texas Capitol. The subcommittee will meet to consider Interim Charge # 3 that will “evaluate early childhood education programs and funding models on students’ school readiness and schools’ operational efficiency.”
| | | | Announcements - Coming Events | | 01/21/2004 - | NEW! The Texas Plan | | | The Texas Plan: Enhancing Early Childhood Education and Development The Texas Plan includes preliminary recommendations for a statewide early care and education system that is widely available, sets standards for quality, and advocates for the participation of parents and community. | | 06/11/2003 - | IBM Helps Spark TECEC’s Commitment to Early Care and Education | | | IBM donates computer hardware to TECEC | | | | In The News | | 06/3/2010 - | Public hearings on ECI in June and July | | | The Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program will be holding public hearings in June and July to give the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes in both our state rules, as well as on our proposed standards manual for our local contractors.
To see the hearing schedule as well as the items posted for comment, click HERE
Items that may be of particular interest to stakeholders include changes in the system of collecting fees from those families found eligible to pay for some services, and new requirements for criminal background checks for employees of local ECI programs. These changes are explained in more detail in the rules than in the standards for contractors. The proposed rules are expected to be in the June 11, 2010 Texas Register. The information from DARS/ECI also includes a link to the Texas Register.
Interested persons who are unable to attend a hearing are also invited to submit written comments.
| | 02/24/2010 - | 2010-2011 National Head Start Fellowship Applications Now Being Accepted | | | The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2010-2011 National Head Start Fellowships are now being accepted. Information about the fellowships program and the online application materials can be found at the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
The National Head Start Fellowship Program brings together experienced and dedicated professionals who support the ACF in developing and implementing long-term quality improvement initiatives. Through these fellowships, outstanding leaders in the early childhood community have the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences that offer a national perspective into the operations of ACF and other federal agencies serving children and families. In addition to work assignments, the Fellows will participate in professional education and leadership development programs.
The 12-month fellowships commence October 1, 2010 and end on September 30, 2011. Applications are due by April 1, 2010. | | 12/18/2009 - | RSVP now for the 1st meeting of the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care | | | The first meeting for the State Advisory Council will be Wednesday, January 13, 2010. The public meeting will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at room 1505-C of the University Center Tower building of the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, located at 7000 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030.
You can RSVP HERE
In October 2009, Governor Rick Perry appointed 18 members to the State Advisory Council.
This council is designed to bring together top decision makers for collective discussion about how to better coordinate services so that young children have the supports in place that they need. The Council provides an excellent opportunity to leverage federal investment, it can be an outstanding forum in which to build support for early learning, and should be viewed as a means to an end.
The members of the council are as follows:
Michael Berry, Office of the Governor
Denise Brady, Texas Health & Human Services Commission
LaShonda Brown, Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office
Mary Capello, TMC Teaching and Mentoring Communities
Deborah Cody, Mount Pleasant Independent School District
Gina Day, Texas Education Agency
Ana De Hoyos O'Connor, San Antonio College
Blanca Enriquez, Education Service Center - Region 19 Head Start
John Gasko, Children's Learning Institute
Dottie Goodman, Texas Education Agency
Elsa Cárdenas Hagan, Valley Speech Language & Learning Center
Angela Hobbs-Lopez, Texas Department of State Health Services
Robert Ott Jr., Killeen Independent School District
Sasha Rasco, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Elaine Shiver, Mental Health America of Texas/Parents as Teachers
Kimberly Wedel, Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services
Quincy White, City of Lubbock
John Whitcamp, Child Care Associates
| | 12/14/2009 - | The Texas Tribune Asks: Does Texas Pre-k Work? | | | Does Texas Pre-K work?
The battles over Pre-Kindergarten are no place for children. Scarce resources and passionate people make for the political equivalent of street fights.
At the middle of the maelstrom is the State Center for Early Childhood Education, housed within the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, which has come to dominate Pre-K in Texas. One-third of pre-kindergarten students learn under its model, and its director, Susan Landry, has helped to set statewide standards, create teacher training and bring together private and private facilities.
Read more HERE. | | 11/3/2009 - | DARS Seeks Recommendations at Public Hearings on ECI Family Cost Share | | | The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) is reviewing its family cost-share policies due to implementation challenges such as increasing need, limited funding, and changes in community resources for families.
Family cost share is a fee paid by families for certain DARS/ECI services when private or public insurance does not pay. The fee is based on a sliding scale and determined by the family’s income and other factors.
DARS/ECI is soliciting early public input regarding revising policy for how families help pay for these services. Any changes in family cost share for DARS/ECI services should be equitable, consistent, and cost effective. All areas of family cost share are open for input; however, specific topics for comment include:
* Collecting co-pays, deductibles, and/or co-insurance as required by insurance plans when billing insurance for services.
* Eliminating the option for a six-month waiver that allows DARS/ECI programs to waive family cost-share fees if the family consents to allow their private insurance to be billed. Input is requested on other methods to encourage the use of private insurance and other alternative health payment methods.
* Revising the sliding scale family cost-share system to:
-Require verification of income if family wants to qualify for the sliding-scale fee;
-Simplify the sliding-scale fee by reducing the number of categories;
* Change the sliding-scale fee from a monthly fee to a per-service fee.
To facilitate widespread public participation, DARS/ECI will hold hearings around the state, and members of the public also may submit comments in writing.
All hearings will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Persons requiring special accommodations should call the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115, TDD/TTY 1-866-581-9328, or email their request to DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us at least 72 hours before the public hearing. Hearing dates and locations are:
November 9, 2009
Garland, Texas
Garland ISD Special Events Center
4999 Naaman Forest Blvd.
Garland, Texas
November 10, 2009
Katy, Texas
Morton Ranch High School
2100 Franz Road
Katy, Texas
November 12, 2009
Lubbock Texas
Lubbock ISD Administration Offices East Building
Jay Gordon Room
1628 19th St.
Lubbock, Texas
November 13, 2009
Nacogdoches, Texas
Stephen F. Austin University
Multi-Media Room #2.106
1936 North St.
Nacogdoches, Texas
November 16, 2009
Corpus Christi, Texas
Education Service Center Region 2
Room 323
209 North Water St.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Written comments may be emailed by November 30, 2009, to ECI.Policy@dars.state.tx.us or mailed to:
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services
4900 N. Lamar, MC 3029
Austin, Texas 78751-2399
The links listed below provide additional information regarding Family Cost Share.
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/fcsfactsheet.shtml
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/FCSFeeScale.pdf
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/publications/FamilyCostShare.pdf
| | 09/22/2009 - | Early Learning Challenge Fund Moves Forward! | | | From The New York Times:
September 20, 2009
Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs
By SAM DILLON
Tucked away in an $87 billion higher education bill that passed the House last week was a broad new federal initiative aimed not at benefiting college students, but at raising quality in the early learning and care programs that serve children from birth through age 5.
The initiative, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, would channel $8 billion over eight years to states with plans to improve standards, training and oversight of programs serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
The Senate is expected to pass similar legislation this fall, giving President Obama, who proposed the Challenge Fund during the presidential campaign, a bill to sign in December.
Experts describe the current array of programs serving young children and their families nationwide as a hodgepodge of efforts with little coordination or coherence. Financing comes from a shifting mix of private, local, state and federal money. Programs are run out of storefronts and churches, homes and Head Start centers, public schools and other facilities. Quality is uneven, with some offering stimulating activities, play and instruction but others providing little more than a room and a television.
Oversight varies by state, but most lack any early childhood structure analogous to the state and local boards of education that govern public schools. A result is that poor children, even many who have access to government-financed early care or learning programs, tend to enter kindergarten less prepared for school than those with wealthier parents.
To qualify for grants, states would have to demonstrate that they have established or improved what the bill calls a “governance structure” for their networks of child care centers and prekindergarten programs.
The structure would include quality standards; a curriculum of sorts, appropriate for young children; a mechanism for reviewing programs and assigning quality ratings; minimum training requirements for providers; a plan for reaching out to parents; and a system for collecting data on children and families. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services would jointly administer the Challenge Fund.
Sharon Lynn Kagan, a professor at Teachers College who has traced the history of American child care programs back to the early 19th century, wrote a paper last year advocating federal aid to states in building a more coherent and robust early-childhood infrastructure.
“No one bill can solve everything,” Professor Kagan said, “but this will move us more than any other piece of legislation toward higher quality in early education, not just more spaces for children.”
Since the campaign, Mr. Obama has raised expectations among early learning advocates with his endorsements of public investments in the careful nurturing of young children, especially the disadvantaged. In the economic stimulus bill, Congress last spring appropriated more than $4 billion in new financing for child care and education efforts, including Head Start, the federal program that serves about 900,000 preschoolers.
Still, not all early learning advocates are satisfied that the administration is doing all it could to integrate early learning efforts into the nation’s broader public education system.
The Department of Education is already administering a separate $4.3 billion competition among states to reward and encourage improvements to elementary and secondary schools. In August, scores of early learning groups and advocates wrote letters to the department criticizing proposed rules for that competition, known as Race to the Top, as largely ignoring early childhood education.
“We don’t see how our country can race to the top when all kids are not at the same starting line” when they reach kindergarten, said Marcy Young, project director for the Pre-K Now program at the Pew Center on the States, one group that criticized the rules.
One reason the administration focused on elementary and secondary schools in the Race to the Top competition and early childhood in the Challenge Fund is that the two are at contrasting levels of development, administration officials said, with the public schools needing initiatives to improve teacher effectiveness, for instance, and early childhood needing basic structures of governance.
Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, “I haven’t talked with anybody who isn’t excited about the prospects for this Early Learning Challenge Fund.”
“But there is disappointment in some parts of the early childhood community that it’s not more focused on adding slots,” Ms. Mead said.
One reason advocates are especially concerned about slots for children is that after a decade in which states had taken the lead in expanding access nationwide, several with deep budget troubles have recently eliminated or reduced services for tens of thousands of children.
Illinois, for instance, cut the budget for its Pre-K for All program to $305 million this fiscal year from $338 million last year, eliminating slots for about 9,500 children, according to statistics provided by Albert Wat, a project manager at Pre-K Now.
In Ohio, lawmakers did away with a program known as the Early Learning Initiative, the budget for which last year was $125 million, Mr. Wat said. The action eliminated access for 12,000 children, he said.
“In some states, we’re seeing a disaster,” said Steve Barnett, co-director of the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.
But despite the tightest budgets in decades, nearly 30 states have chosen to protect or increase financing for early learning programs.
| | 09/10/2009 - | Attend a Child Care Minimum Standards Review Meeting Near You! | | | Mark your calendars. The Committee on Child Care Licensing Standards will hold public meetings throughout Texas this Fall. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Child Care Minimum Standards review process and to be heard on important issues related to child care in our state. There will be an opportunity for public testimony at each meeting. Don't miss this opportunity to be heard on the Minimum Standards.
Please see the schedule below for time and location of the next meeting near you!
You can also visit the DFPS site on on these regional meetings HERE
Killeen
Date: September 21, 2009
Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Workforce Solutions
Address: 300 Cheyenne, Killeen, TX 76542
Contact Person: Melissa McClung (254) 750-9374
Beaumont
Date: September 23, 2009
Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Beaumont State Bldg. 20th Floor Conference Room
Address: 285 Liberty Beaumont, TX 77701
Contact Person: Dawn Stanley (409) 951-3302
Odessa
Date: September 24, 2009
Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office
Address: 2525 N. Grandview #100, Odessa, TX 79761
Contact person: Eileen Garcia (432) 368-2693
Odessa
Date: September 25, 2009
Time: Center-based care 8:30 - 10:30 am
Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office
Address: 2525 N. Grandview #100, Odessa, TX 79761
Contact person: Eileen Garcia (432) 368-2693
Tyler
Date: September 30, 2009
Time: Center-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Robert R Muntz Library
Address: 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799
Contact Person: Sheralyn Oliver (903) 533-4140
Amarillo
Date: October 1, 2009
Time: Center-based care 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Home-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: The Church at Quail Creek Fellowship Hall
Please enter through Door #1 near the playground
Address: 801 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124
Contact Person: Tisha Batis (806) 354-5307
Abilene
Date: October 2, 2009
Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am
Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Building
Address: 4601 S. 1st Street, Abilene, TX
Contact Person: Mary Landeros (325) 691-8232
Abilene
Date: October 3. 2009
Time: Home-based care 8:30 - 10:30 am
Location: Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Building
Address: 4601 S. 1st Street, Abilene, TX
Contact Person: Mary Landeros (325) 691-8232
Pflugerville
Date: October 6, 2009
Time: Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Pflugerville Baptist Church Education Building
Address: 306 S. 10th Street, Pflugerville, Texas 78660
Contact Person: Julie Richards (512) 834-3230
El Paso
Date: October 9, 2009
Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am
Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso
Address: 1100 E. Cliff, Bldg. D, El Paso, TX 79902
Contact Person: Irene Yanez (915) 834-5735
El Paso
Date: October 10, 2009
Time: Home-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am
Location: Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso
Address: 1100 E. Cliff, Bldg. D, El Paso, TX 79902
Contact Person: Irene Yanez (915) 834-5735
Corpus Christi
Date: October 13, 2009
Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Education Service Center, Region 2
Address: 209 North Water Street, Room 311, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
Contact Person: Susana Juarez (361) 878-3456
Fort Worth
Date: October 15, 2009
Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Resource Connection Gym
Address: 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Contact Person: Vickie Polk (817) 792-4539
Plano
Date: October 17, 2009
Time: Center-based care 9:30 - 11:30 am
Home-based care 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Collin College Conference Center, Room C
Address: 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074
Contact person: Vickie Polk (817) 792-4539
Lubbock
Date: October 19, 2009
Time: Center-based care 9:00 - 11:00 am
Home-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Mahon Public Library
Address: 1306 9th Street, Lubbock, TX
Contact person: Deanna Castro (806) 698-5501
Houston
Date: October 20, 2009
Time: Center-based care 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: United Way Building
Address: 50 Waugh Drive. Houston, TX 77007
Contact person: Christina Harvey (713) 940-5102
Houston
Date: October 22, 2009
Time: Center-based care 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Home-based care 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall
Address: 2320 Hatfield Rd., Pearland, TX 77581
Contact person: Christina Harvey (713) 940-5102
San Antonio
Date: October 28, 2009
Time: Center-based care 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Home-based care 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office
Address: 3635 S.E. Military Drive, Room 3D66, San Antonio, Texas 78223
Contact Person: Raquel Botello (210) 337-3277
| | 08/26/2009 - | Secretary Duncan Announces $3.5 Billion in Title I School Improvement Grants to Fund Transformational Changes Where Children Have Long Been Underserved | | |
Press release from U.S. Dept of Education
FOR RELEASE: August 26, 2009
Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced draft requirements for $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants to turn around the nation's lowest performing schools.
“If we are to put an end to stubborn cycles of poverty and social failure, and put our country on track for long-term economic prosperity, we must address the needs of children who have long been ignored and marginalized in chronically low-achieving schools,” said Duncan, who made the announcement with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid at Harley Harmon Elementary School in Las Vegas. “States and school districts have an opportunity to put unprecedented resources toward reforms that would increase graduation rates, reduce dropout rates and improve teacher quality for all students, and particularly for children who most need good teaching in order to catch up.”
Proposed requirements for the grants have been published in the Federal Register, providing a 30-day comment period on the criteria. Title I School Improvement Grants are funded by $546 million in the fiscal year 2009 appropriation and an additional $3 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support the transformational changes that are needed to turn around the nation's lowest-achieving schools.
The secretary of education is required to award school improvement grants to each state education agency based on the proportional share of funds it receives under Title I. Each state must provide subgrants to local school districts that apply for those funds and have demonstrated the greatest commitment to serve their Title I schools identified for improvement, corrective action or restructuring under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The Obama administration's strategy includes: identifying and serving the lowest-achieving Title I schools in each state; supporting only the most rigorous interventions that hold the promise of producing rapid improvements in student achievement and school culture; providing sufficient resources over several years to implement those interventions; and measuring progress in achieving results.
“The large investment in school improvement funds made possible by the Recovery Act presents a historic opportunity to attack education's most intractable challenge -- turning around or closing down chronically low-achieving schools,” Duncan said. “Our goal is to turn around the 5,000 lowest-performing schools over the next five years, as part of our overall strategy for dramatically reducing the drop-out rate, improving high school graduation rates and increasing the number of students who graduate prepared for success in college and the workplace.”
The secretary would require states to identify three tiers of schools:
Tier I - The lowest-achieving five percent of Title I schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring in a state, or the five lowest-performing Title I schools, whichever number is greater.
Tier II – Equally low-achieving secondary schools that are eligible for, but do not receive, Title I funds. The secretary proposes targeting some of these extremely low-achieving high schools and their feeder middle schools. There are close to 2,000 high schools in this country in which graduation is at best a 50/50 proposition. U.S. Department of Education data indicates that fewer than half of these schools currently receive Title I Part A funds. If the provisions proposed become final, school districts would not be required to include Tier II schools in proposals. However, including Tier II schools would enhance a school district's likelihood for funding because states would be required to give priority to districts that commit to serve both Tier I and Tier II schools.
Tier III – The remaining Title I schools in improvement, corrective action or restructuring that are not Tier I schools in the state.
In its application to the state, each school district would be required to demonstrate its commitment to raising student achievement by implementing, in each Tier I and Tier II school, one of the following rigorous interventions:
Turnaround Model – This would include among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.
Restart Model – School districts would close failing schools and reopen them under the management of a charter school operator, a charter management organization or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to admit, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.
School Closure – The district would close a failing school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.
Transformational Model – Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformational model, 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies, 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools, and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.
Districts should choose the strategy that works best for each school. To ensure districts are choosing a variety of strategies, any district with nine or more schools in school improvement will not be allowed to use any single strategy in more than half of its schools.
Recognizing flexibility is needed, a state may award school improvement funds to a district that has implemented, in whole or in part, one of the interventions proposed in a Tier I school in the last two years. They must fully implement that intervention moving forward. Also, a state could seek a waiver to permit a school that implements a turnaround or restart model to “start over,” exiting school improvement and no longer needing to provide the public school choice option or supplemental educational services.
Additionally, a state could seek a waiver to enable a Tier I school that operates a targeted assistance program to instead implement one of the proposed interventions schoolwide.
In addition to flexibility, providing sufficient resources over several years is critical. The secretary proposes to require that states allocate to each district the maximum per-school amount permitted under ESEA for each Tier I school where one of the four interventions is approved for implementation. The secretary also would waive the period of availability of school improvement grants beyond Sept. 30, 2011, to make funds available to school districts for three years.
| | 07/17/2009 - | National effort represents a potentially large investment in early education | | |
As you may recall, President Obama promised a $10 Billion investment in early education while he was running for office. Recent developments in Congress show signs that this promise may be coming true.
Legislators have added language to the Student Aid and Financial Responsibility Act (SAFRA) that would infuse $10 billion into state-based early education programs over the next 10 years in the form of quality improvement and development grants.
The bill still has a long way to go before it becomes law, but this is a promising development nationally for high-quality early education.
Read more on this development at Early Ed Watch
Read an Op-Ed on this development by U.S. Representative Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) | | 06/24/2009 - | Gov. Perry Vetoes HB 130: A Message From Kara Johnson | | | As the Executive Director of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC), I wanted to personally thank you for all of your work during the 81st Legislative Session to build a high quality early education system in the state of Texas. As you may already know, TECEC’s priority bill, House Bill 130, was vetoed by Governor Rick Perry at 4:30pm on Friday. House Bill 130 would have ensured access to proven high quality, full day pre-k programs for thousands of military, foster care, homeless, and other at risk children.
Despite politics getting in the way, the Coalition has much to celebrate:
$25 MILLION. In spite of the veto, Texas will still see an additional investment of $25 million to its current pre-k program. This is the largest increase in the country. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will receive the $25 million originally budgeted for HB 130 to spend on other pre-k initiatives. This would not have happened without the tireless work of Coalition advocates.
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT. Despite the veto, House Bill 130 still passed the Texas Legislature with more co-authors than any other bill at the Capitol, and was voted favorably out of both the House and Senate with a two-thirds majority vote. You made this happen! More than 20,000 emails, letters, and faxes were sent to policymakers in support of this legislation. Stay strong, we will need this support as we head back to the Texas Capitol in 2011.
QUALITY MATTTERS. Thanks to HB 130, legislators are committed to quality and understand it can make the difference. House Bill 130 passed the House and Senate with research-based, enhanced quality components such as smaller class sizes, highly trained teachers, lower child to staff ratios, and approved quality curricula.
MEDIA ATTENTION. Throughout the session, every major newspaper in the state of Texas covered the story of HB 130 and the importance of high quality pre-k. Scores of articles were written, including opinion pieces in support of this important piece of legislation. Our advocacy day at the Capitol was covered by radio, television, and video blogs.
This is an important moment in the Texas early education movement. As a Coalition, we are more determined than ever to the development of a high quality early education system for children and families in Texas. Do not let the veto of HB 130 overshadow our other early education wins this session, including: 1) an investment of $25 million to the current Texas pre-k program; 2) the passage of Jacob’s Law to ensure additional training hours for child care providers; 3) additional legislative oversight and contracting transparency for the State Center for Early Childhood Development; 4) parent notification of prekindergarten eligibility; 5) the passage of legislation that ensures Head Start programs in Texas qualify for federal grant funding, such as the "E-Rate Program;" 6) the establishment of a Council on Children and Families; 7) additional funding for Early Childhood School Readiness Programs (TEEM and the School Readiness Certification System); and more.
After six years of success, the early education movement in Texas has grown to be so strong that its only critics are those who opposed any public investment, no matter how solid the research. This resistance is an unfortunate reality. However, with your commitment and passion, I know that Texas, ultimately, will have a high-quality early childhood education system.
This veto will not deter our efforts in the future, in fact it strengthens our resolve. TECEC is already in the process of working with legislators on interim charges related to pre-k and child care, which will ensure solid legislation as we head into 2011. Thank you again for all that you do and congratulations on a successful session.
Sincerely,
Kara Johnson | | |
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Only 2.2 percent of media coverage of education focuses on education of preschool-aged children
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