House Bill 3 (HB 3) requires all K-3rd grade teachers and principals to attend a Texas Reading Academy by 2022 (enrollment in the 2022-2023 school year is acceptable). We will be updating this site as we receive new information. Please contact Debbie Crooms (dcrooms@reg8.net) or Melanie Tidwell (mtidwell@reg8.net) for more information.
Implementation Models
Both models will cover the same content using the same HB 3 learning management system (Canvas) and will require submission of the same artifacts. Districts choose one or both models, depending on individual needs.
Blended Model
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Online Model consisting of 12 Modules
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Provide artifacts for Modules
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Demonstrate proficiency in competencies through artifact submission and assessments
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Approximately 60 hours to complete
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11 months available to complete
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$400 per participant
Comprehensive Model
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10 days face-to-face professional development
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4 individual coaching sessions (one may be virtual)
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Submit artifacts for modules
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Must complete competency exercises
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$3,000 per participant

Academy Timeline
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Teachers and administrators have 3 school years to complete the academies: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023.
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After 2023, before a teacher (or principal) can be assigned to a K-3 class/campus, they must: have already completed the academy, or be enrolled in the academy.
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This includes new teachers and teachers moving from another assignment to K-3.

Region 8 Academy Dates
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All Region 8 2020-2021 Reading Academy cohorts will begin in August 2020. The Comprehensive Model face to face dates at Region 8 ESC are: August 10-12, September 22, October 27, January 21, March 2, June 9-11.

Academy Content
There are 3 paths available in the academies. All cover the same 12 modules:
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ELAR Pathway: Intended for generalists and SPED teachers who instruct in English
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SLAR Pathway: Intended for generalists and SPED teachers who instruct in Spanish
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Administrator: Intended for administration/leadership

Additional Information
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Districts can spread out the enrollment of teachers in the academy over 3 years.
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Districts can choose to partner with an Authorized Provider and hire a Cohort Leader to implement the academies in their district (Local Implementation). The cohort leader must first pass the TEA screening process.
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Participants’ artifacts will not be graded by their cohort leader. Region 11 will assign 2 other cohort leaders to grade a particular cohort’s artifacts.
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Registration is expected to open before June 2020. Pre-registration is required and opens in March.
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All artifacts for all participants will be the same and will NOT rely on availability of students to complete.
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After implementation of the K-3 Reading Academies, TEA plans to provide additional Reading Academies content for Pre-K and 4th & 5th grade educators. More info to come in early 2021.

Cohort Leaders
Anyone interested in becoming a cohort leader please click here.
Contact
Melanie Tidwell
Debbie Crooms