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September 3, 2010

RFL Identified for U.S. Department of Education Streamlined BPA Pool

RFL was identified for inclusion in a contractor pool for the U.S. Department of Education’s Streamlined Acquisition Tool (ED-SAT) blanket purchase agreement (BPA) process in the area of: Research and Assessment Design, Data Collection and Analysis. Through this competitive process, USDE identified a pool of 68 companies, including, AIR, Mathematica, RAND, and SRI, to support the ED-SAT in areas of recurring need. RFL welcomes the opportunity to partner with other companies in supporting USDE initiatives.

Texas Education Agency approves new course application!

Texas Education Agency has approved the Innovative Course Application for an exciting new secondary course that combines two highly motivating aspects of curriculum—fine arts and technology. With support from Texas Cultural Trust, RFL is coordinating development of the course, titled Art and Media Communications. This innovative course bridges the arts and technology to motivate students and gives them an edge in thinking, creating, and responding to a rapidly changing world. Art and Media Communications consists of six six-week modules that scaffold student development of skills over the course of a school year, and demonstrates best practices of curriculum and instruction. The course will be piloted during the 2010-2011 school year. For more information, contact Judy Jennings at judyj@resourcesforlearning.net.

Evaluation of Texas Migrant Education Program presented at American Educational Research Association meeting

At the recent American Educational Research Association meeting in Denver, Dr. Ali Picucci of Resources for Learning, along with other team partners, presented the Evaluation of the Texas Migrant Education Program (MEP). The presentation focused on the initial phase of a comprehensive evaluation of the Texas Migrant Education Program (MEP), which included two overarching study objectives: (1) conduct a literature review of migrant education from a national perspective and (2) identify MEP instructional and support services delivered throughout the state of Texas. Although documentation exists of Texas MEP grantees’ plans for service delivery, this study was the first to examine the MEP services that were actually provided throughout the state. This paper session wass sponsored by the Hispanic Research Issues Special Interest Group and was be held on Friday, April 30, 2010 from 2:15pm - 3:45pm in the Colorado Convention Center, Room 704.

Resources for Learning is an Approved Vendor for TEA’s Cycle 4 Beginning Teacher Induction and Mentoring (BTIM) Program

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will award funding to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools who are eligible for Cycle 4 of the Beginning Teacher and Induction Mentoring program that is tentatively scheduled to begin June 1, 2010, and end May 31, 2012. Funds can be used for mentor stipends, mentor training, and release time for the mentor to observe or for planning time with the beginning teacher.

TEA has named Resources for Learning (RFL) as a vendor to provide mentoring services. RFL’s two programs - Texas Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS) and Scaffolded Solutions - include face-to-face training and an online support system.

Please email Linda Wurzbach at lindaw@resourcesforlearning.net or call her at 512 327-8576 ext. 403 for more information.

Texas Education Agency Best Practices Clearinghouse

TEA’s Best Practices Clearinghouse is an online resource providing information about best practices of high-performing and highly efficient campuses and school districts. In collaboration with TEA, Resources for Learning (RFL) is in the process of gathering best practices from campuses, school districts, and charter schools. For the purposes of the Clearinghouse, a best practice is defined as a strategy, methodology, program, or other intervention that is linked to a positive impact on student outcomes or school operations.

Interested campus and district personnel should visit the How to Submit a Best Practice page of the TEA Best Practices Clearinghouse Web site.

For more information please contact Tracy Laughlin at TracyL@resourcesforlearning.net.