Educator Certification Updates & NCLB Guidelines

1. Human Resources Advisory CouncilOctober 16, 2014 Facilitated by Melissa Aguero Ramirez HR Director Region One ESC

2. Welcome, Introductions & Announcements • Jim Hogg CISD – Dr. Darlene Villafranca Congratulations to TASB – 30 years strong!! Retirements?

3. Educator Preparation Programs • ACT.RGV – Dr. Kathleen Vinger • Project Pace & ILP3– Sandy McConaughy

4. Certification • 1. PPR less than EC-12; need to finish by Aug 31 2014 (see bottom of 1st page of handout) application deadline is October 31 • 2. 7-12 (Math, Chemistry, Life Science, Physical Science)exams from 8-12 (this summer will be last administration of 8-12; they have until Aug 2015 to meet cert requirements) see p. 3 of handout • REMIND teachers - they must APPLY for certificates once they pass exams • 3. BTLPT - still required for Standard but not for Probationary *******for PERMITS need to submit as Hardship if haven't passed BTLPT BUT can use Fluency requirement documentation as supporting doc for permit hardship******

5. Certification continued • Generalist EC-6 (191) and Bilingual Generalist EC-6 (192) and 4-8 Generalist (111) • current exam will still be offered 14-15 - changes: timed AND must pass each section vs. overall score - DIFFERENT: if going through EC-6 OR 4-8 by Aug 2015, have until 8/31/17 to get certificate (including Bilingual and ESL generalists but won't issue these certs anymore after; only supplemental) • New Generalist called Core Subjects - start being offered January 2015 (old and new exam going to be offered at same time) - Generalist EC-6 STILL will include core content plus health, technology, fine arts & PE (total of 5 sections); each section is timed - if don't pass all sections will need to retake only those sections that weren't passed - new test numbers will be in the 800s - $60 a section to retest - over 200 questions and rigor increased but not more time (5 hours total)

6. News from ETS • Test format and testing dates and • Limited Administration exams http://www.texes.ets.org/epp/eppresources • Preparation manual and tests at a glance available: www.texes.ets.org/texes/prepmaterials. * new online format and include links and bookmarks to help users find information quickly and easily. • Change in Test Retake Policy • Texas Education Code §21.048 • now requires no more than 45 days to elapse before an educator is eligible to retake a test. • This policy is effective September 1, 2013.

7. NCLB HQ Survey 14 - 15 • TAA Letter dated 8/13/14 • Sample 14-15 NCLB HQ survey • Instructions for 14-15 NCLB HQ survey • Region One ESC Contact: • Dr. Tina McIntyre (984-6027) or tmcintyre@esc1.net • Melissa Aguero Ramirez (984-6100) or maramirez@esc1.net • TEA NCLB Contact: Viviana Lopez viviana.lopez@tea.state.tx.us (512) 463-5280

8. NCLB 2014-2015 Timeline • Campus Reporting of Highly Qualified Teacher Compliance Report as of September 16, 2014(2014-2015 Highly Qualified Teacher Data)—Due Date November 17, 2014 • LEA Public Reporting of Progress in Meeting Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements(2014-2015 Highly Qualified Teacher Data)—Due Date December 15, 2014 • Principal’s Attestation of Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements (2014-2015 Highly Qualified Teacher Data)—Due Date December 15, 2014

9. NCLB HQ Guidance Document Updated 9/5/14 • Adjusting the grades associated with elementary assignments from EC-6 to EC-5 and with secondary assignments from 7-12 to 6-12. • Removing the requirement for a Focus Data Analysis for districts that are not 100% Highly Qualified. • Adding and editing language to clarify that test bands do matter – a 4-8 test demonstrates subject matter competency for grades 4-8 only (with certain Special Education exceptions). • Passing the 4-8 Generalist test does not make someone HQ for a 3rd grade assignment. • Adding and editing language to clarify that life skills teachers would have a Highly Qualified requirement if they have the primary responsibility of delivering core academic content to any student. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=25769817480

11. Continued uses of HOUSE • Rural multi subject secondary teachers • Multi-subject Sp. Ed. Teachers (after 1 year of teaching) • Visiting international teacher (good for 3 years) • Secondary foreign language teacher (until tests created) • TEA approval • Elementary* – eligible during 09-10 • Secondary* – any experienced secondary teacher * Updates / revised

12. CTE courses = HQ requirement • Science: Advanced Animal Science, Advanced Biotechnology, Advanced Plant and Soil Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Engineering Design and Problem Solving, Food Science, Forensic Science, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Principles of Technology, Scientific Research and Design • Mathematics: Mathematical Application in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Statistics and Risk Management; Advanced Quantitative Reasoning • English: Business English • Fine Arts: Principles and Elements of Floral Design, Digital Art and Animation, 3-D Modeling and Animation

13. Paraprofessional Requirements • an Associate’s degree or higher; OR • have completed two years of study at an institute of higher education, OR • passed a rigorous state or local assessment demonstrating one of the following: • Knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing in the core academic subject areas; • Reading readiness, writing readiness, or mathematics readiness, as appropriate

14. Institution of Higher Education – Paraprofessional Requirements • admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate; • is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education; • provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; • is a public or other non-profit institution; and • is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted pre-accreditation by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time. NCLB: Section 9101(24)

15. Validation • Randomly selected • 3 separate processes • Teacher Status Validation • TEA validates LEA’s determination of HQ status • Starts in October • Principal Attestation Validation • LEA will submit principal’s attestation(s) as requested • Starts after 12/15/14 • Parent Notification Validation • LEA will submit copies of letter to parents notifying them that child was taught for 4 or more weeks by a teacher that wasn’t HQ • Starts in late September

16. NCLB sample forms • The following forms can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4749&menu_id=798 • Parent “Right to Know” notification of teacher qualifications • Parent notification of child being taught by a Teacher that is not HQ • Principal Attestation

17. NCLB Sample Worksheets • Teacher worksheets: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=2147485438&menu_id=798 • For Elementary teachers (PK – 6) • New Elementary Teacher • Experienced Elementary Teacher • Elementary Special Education • Elementary HOUSE • For Secondary teachers (7 – 12) • Secondary Teacher • Secondary HOUSE • Secondary Special Education • Secondary Special Education HOUSE • Secondary CTE/Technology Applications • Secondary CTE/Technology Applications HOUSE • Instructional Aide worksheet:http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4670&menu_id=798

18. NCLB Flexibility Waiver • Core Academic teachers & Title I Instructional Aides STILL required to be 100% HQ • If LEA isn’t 100% HQ = HQTCIP • BUT keep at district level • HQTFDA no longer required by anyone • Instead….Priority and Focus Schools identified • Interventions required

19. LEA consequences for not reaching 100% HQ Teachers • HQTFDA & HQTCIP due December • Template & instructions available • http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=2147485439&menu_id=798 • Support provided by Region 1 ESC • HQTFDA • Equitable distribution of Highly Qualified Teachers (LEA will be notified by TEA if need to complete equity analysis) • HQTCIP • Strategies & activities identified here must be incorporated into LEA’s district improvement plan.

20. LEA consequences for not reaching 100% HQ Teachers • Paraprofessional Action Plan • Content Requirements for Letters Submitted in Lieu of HQTFDA and HQTCIP

21. Exceptions to consequences • If not HQ due to multi-subject new special education teacher or multi-subject rural teacher flexibility • NOT required to submit interventions to TEA • Interventions are to be maintained locally • Must send letter to NCLB notifying them that this is what they are doing

22. Exceptions to consequences cont’d. • If not 100% HQ on 9/16/14 (“as of date”) but 100% by 12/15/14, the LEA must: • Update campus report(s) on website AND • Submit a letter to NCLB stating that are now 100% HQ

23. NCLB Technical Assistance Workshops • Technical assistance workshop – Oct 16th from 1:30-4:30 (after HR meeting) - #44063 • Technical assistance HQTCIP workshop  - Nov 20th from 9-12 #44064

24. CTE Updates • CTE Certification Chart 2010 • Approved Health Science Technology Occupations • HB5 impact on CTE courses….NCLB • Presented by Eduardo Garcia • edgarcia@esc1.net • 984-6243

25. Bilingual Education Exceptions/Waivers for English as a Second Language • TEC, §29.054 - must apply if do not have the appropriately certified teachers to serve LEP students in accordance with rule • This application must be made each year there is a need for an exception and/or a waiver. • The 2014-2015 Bilingual Education Exception/ESL Waiver Application and instructions are now available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=4098&menu_id=720. • All applications are due on or before November 1, 2014, and must be submitted to the TEA as an email attachment to: BilingualExceptions_ESLWaivers@tea.state.tx.us. • The district Bilingual/ESL contact person may complete the exception/waiver application,but all completed applications must be submitted to the TEA in an email directly from the superintendent. • Contact Susie Coultress, State Director of Bilingual/ESL/Title III/Migrant Education, at (512) 463-9581.

26. Bilingual Teacher Fluency Requirements • Title III, Part A – LEP programs • Applies to all LEA’s Bilingual teachers regardless of funding • LEA determines method for verifying teacher fluency • Only needs to be done once but for everyone • Can recognize another LEA’s determination

27. Bilingual Education updates • Provided by: Virginia Champion • vchampion@esc1.net • 984-6246

28. PEIMS Updates • PEIMS Snapshot • Updates • Presented by Belia Granado • bgranado@esc1.net • 984-6090

29. Upcoming Events & Announcements • Educator Certification Training • October 17, 2014 - workshop # 44062 • TxBESSMentor teacher training • 10/22-workshop # 43634 • 2/11-workshop #43635 • Bilingual Generalist / BTLPT Review Session • 10/24 and 10/25 – workshop #44026 • HR 101 • January 30, 2015 – workshop # 43636

30. Substitute Teacher Certification Academy 8-5 first day and 8-12 second day • 11/17 and 11/19 #43617 / Willacy room • 1/13 and 1/14 #43618 / Willacy room • 6/15 and 6/16 #43619 /Willacy room For more information: http://www.esc1.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=549&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=2251&PageID=1

31. Fall Job Fairs November 4, 2014 – Texas State University - San Marcos November 5, 2014 – University of Texas - San Antonio November 10, 2014 – University of Texas at Austin November 11, 2014 - Texas A&M University - Kingsville November 12, 2014 - Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi November 13, 2014 - Texas A&M Intl. University - Laredo November 13, 2014 - University of Texas – Brownsville November 14, 2014 - University of Texas Pan American

32. * Latest additions * Give & Take workshop • San Benito CISD • Jim Hogg CISD • Rio Hondo ISD

33. Workshop Survey • Rules of Engagement—Determining Employment Status • Rules of Engagement—Determining Employment Status • Hiring Effective Teachers • Time In-Time Out: Managing Overtime and Leave • Managing Employee Performance • Other Duties As Assigned—Job Descriptions That Work • Managing Personnel Records Effectively • Creditable Years of Experience and Service Records

34. Human Resources Advisory Council Meeting Dates • All will be held in the Starr Room from 9-12 • December 17 –workshop #43629 • February 20 – workshop #43630 • April 21 –workshop #43631 • August 28 – workshop #43632

35. TASPA Activities • TASB/TASPA HR Administrators’ Academy – November 10-11, 2014- Registration Now Open! • TASPA/Legal Digest Personnel Law Conference for School Administrators – December 10, 2014 • TASPA/TAEE Winter Conference Presented by Aesop/Frontline Placement Technologies – December 10-12, 2014

36. Questions, Concerns, & Solutions • Region One ESC Personnel Support Services survey • Region One Salary survey • TASB surveys • Extra-Duty Stipend Survey    Email Invitation:  October 28     Due Date:  November 21  • New 2014‒15 Health Insurance Premiums survey Email Invitation: October 13 Due Date: October 31

37. Myths on FLSA issues for district employees who work athletic events • Myth 1: People who take tickets at a game or work other extracurricular activities don’t have to keep time sheets

38. Myths on FLSA issues for district employees who work athletic events • Myth 2: Employees don’t get paid overtime for working at a game

39. Myths on FLSA issues for district employees who work athletic events • Myth 3: Game workers can be paid through accounts payable or through activity funds -

40. Myths on FLSA issues for district employees who work athletic events • Myth 4: Employees can be paid a flat fee for working a game no matter how many hours they work.