In response to Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part II, Chapter 110, representatives from the 20 Education Service Centers (ESCs) and the 50 largest school districts were invited to attend Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) adopted by the State Board of Education in 2008. The TOT sessions provided trainers with the knowledge and materials necessary to deliver professional development for the K-12 Language Arts and Reading teachers across Texas during the transition to the new curriculum standards. The training also included the Spanish Language Arts and Reading TEKS (SLAR), the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), and the incorporation and implementation of the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).
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In the spring of 2009, the Institute for Public School Initiatives, in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, held three TOT events for 529 participants representing the 20 ESCs and the 50 largest school districts in Texas. Each participant attended one of the following training sessions:
- ELAR Grade K-2
- ELAR Grade 3-5
- ELAR Grade 6-English IV (6-12)
- SLAR Grade K-2
- SLAR Grade 3-6
Each session covered a range of grade levels and focused on either the English or Spanish Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (ELAR or SLAR TEKS). Additionally, each session integrated the ELAR and SLAR TEKS with the ELPS and CCRS. Upon completion of the TOT, participants were expected to deliver the training to additional trainers and/or directly to teachers in their respective regions or districts.
The training materials and resources can be found on the ELAR/SLAR website. The materials available on this website were originally disseminated during the spring and summer of 2009 at professional development sessions across the state of Texas. The goals of the professional development materials are to help teachers and administrators understand the purpose, structure, and classroom implementation of the 2008 curriculum standards.
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IPSI has converted the face-to-face professional development sessions into online courses that will be available in Project Share. The courses include the following:
- ELAR K-2: This course provides an introduction and overview of the K-2 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading.
- ELAR 3-5: This course provides an introduction and overview of the English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for grades 3-5.
- ELAR Foundations: Designed for teachers of all grades, the Foundations module provides an in-depth look at the purpose and structure of the three sets of standards (TEKS, CCRS, and ELPS). For training on ELAR K-2, ELAR 3-5, SLAR K-2, and SLAR 3-6, the Foundations module is optional; however, for training on grades 6 and higher, the Foundations module is required.
- ELAR 6-8: This course provides an overview of the English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grades 6-8.
- ELAR 9-12: This course provides an overview of the English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grades 9-12.
- SLAR K-2: This course provides an overview of the Spanish Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) K-2.
- SLAR 3-6: This course provides an overview of the Spanish Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grade 3-6.
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Karen Nelson |
Director,
Academic Foundation Initiatives |
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Faith Stevens |
Project Manager,
Academic Foundation Initiatives |
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