TEA Letter to Administration – Texas Reading Academies Implementation Updates

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The Texas Education Agency has released a letter updating school administrators on Texas Reading Academies Implementation and requirements. In the letter the TEA notes they will be making adjustments in this 3rd year of the program to the Texas Reading Academies. Among the adjustments: districts may allow certain teachers to attempt to demonstrate knowledge without completing modules first, some teachers may be exempt from completing all module content, and there will be an extenuating circumstances option that allows teachers more time to complete academies. Also, TEA noted content will be streamlined to ensure actual seat time accurately reflects projected seat time. HB 3 as passed by the 86th Texas Legislature required all kindergarten through third grade teachers and principals to attend a reading academy by the end of the 2022-2023 school year. TEA has said in their letter the recent adjustments at this late date were to make the academies more flexible, more efficient, and more effective to further support Year 3 implementation.

From the letter:

“School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must ensure that not later than the 2022-2023 school year, each classroom teacher in kindergarten or first, second, or third grade and each principal at a campus with kindergarten or first, second, or third grade has attended a reading academy, per Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0062(a)(2)(A).

Texas Reading Academies are intentionally designed to provide choice in implementation to meet local needs and priorities. Upcoming adjustments will make Texas Reading Academies more flexible, more efficient, and more effective to further support Year 3 implementation. The following adjustments will be implemented in Year 3:

Districts may allow certain teachers to attempt to demonstrate knowledge without completing modules first.
Teachers who passed the STR exam will not have to complete all reading academies module content.
Participants with extenuating circumstances will continue to have additional time to complete academies.
Content will be streamlined to ensure actual seat time accurately reflects projected seat time
Cohort leaders will no longer be required to grade artifacts.
Districts will be able to verify reading academies completion on the TEA website.
Authorized Providers will have more resources and recommendations for supporting the strong local implementation planning with districts.”

TEA is also publishing a series of webinars covering updates and adjustments to the Texas Reading Academies for Year 3:

Watch webinar from Wednesday, April 6, 2022 – 10:30am

For general information about the Texas Reading Academies, including frequently asked questions, visit the HB 3 Reading Academies page. For more information on the letter and the full text, please see the TEA website here.