HB3 Reading Academies | Region 8 ESC

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

Online Model consisting of 12 Modules
Provide artifacts for Modules
Demonstrate proficiency in competencies through artifact submission and assessments
Approximately 60 hours to complete
11 months available to complete
$400 per participant

Comprehensive Model

10 days face-to-face professional development
4 individual coaching sessions (one may be virtual)
Submit artifacts for modules
Must complete competency exercises
$3,000 per participant

Academy Timeline

Teachers and administrators have 3 school years to complete the academies: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023.
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.
This includes new teachers and teachers moving from another assignment to K-3.

Region 8 Academy Dates

Region 8 ESC will launch 2021-22 blended model cohorts in June, July, and August. The 2021-22 Comprehensive Model face to face dates are July 20-22, September 20, November 8, January 24, April 11, and June 1-3.

Academy Content

There are 3 paths available in the academies. All cover the same 12 modules:

ELAR Pathway: Intended for generalists and SPED teachers who instruct in English
SLAR Pathway: Intended for generalists and SPED teachers who instruct in Spanish
Administrator: Intended for administration/leadership

Additional Information

Districts can spread out the enrollment of teachers in the academy over 3 years.
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.
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.
Registration in Canvas is expected to open late-April 2021. Pre-registration is required and is open now.
Artifacts for teachers and administrators are different, and do not rely on availability of students to complete.
Starting in June, TEA is modifying content to make the reading academies available for K-5 teachers. At this time, 4th and 5th grade teachers are not required by law to attend.