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TEA Reimbursements for Blended Learning Professional Development

TEA-Reimbursements-for-Blended-Learning-Professional-Development.pdf188.66 KB
Date:  January 23, 2020
Subject: TEA Reimbursements for Blended Learning Professional Development
Category:  
Next Steps:  Share with Superintendents, Curriculum & Instruction Staff, Campus Leaders

 

Blended learning combines online learning with face to face teacher-led instruction to effectively differentiate instruction for all students. High-quality professional development (PD) for educators is a foundational component of successful blended learning implementation that leads to improved academic outcomes for students. To assist school systems in a high-fidelity implementation of blended learning, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will reimburse school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (local education agencies or LEAs) for blended learning professional development programs from qualifying providers. This funding is provided by Rider 53 of the General Appropriations Act of the 86th Texas Legislature.

The qualified programs for Blended Learning Professional Development Reimbursements are:

PD Provider & Contact Info Program Description Website
UTeach at UT Austin;
pdinfo@uteach.utexas.edu		 Two research-based, online blended learning courses facilitated by expert educators:
  • Foundations of Blended Learning (FBL)
  • Advanced Blended Learning (ABL)
Both courses are 30 CPE hours, come with a success coach and live webinars, take 3 months to complete, and cost $1,000. Educators who complete the UTeach online Blended Learning PD are supported with job-embedded, just-in-time professional development to support the classroom change to a blended learning environment.		 Link Here
UT High School at UT Austin;
UTHS_BLPD@austin.utexas.edu		 Four online, research-based courses to train K-12 educators in implementing blended learning in the classroom:
  • BL Basics (Beginner): $225
  • BL Curriculum & Instruction Design & Delivery (Intermediate): $225
  • BL Flex Model Design & Delivery (Intermediate): $225
  • BL Coaching & Support (Advanced): $500
Each course is 6 hours where educators engage with their cohort during a 6-week period to plan and implement blended learning lessons with their students while receiving coaching support from an experienced, Texas-certified teacher with blended learning expertise.		 Link Here

        
Process for Approval of Reimbursements: 

  1. LEA contacts PD provider, completes provider-created readiness materials, and submits list of educators to be enrolled in the program to the PD provider
  2. TEA and the PD provider will review readiness assessment and approve LEA and educator eligibility for reimbursements
  3. Once approval is obtained, LEA pays the cost of the selected program and educators begin the PD program 
  4. Upon verified educator completion of the program, TEA will reimburse the LEA

Please note:

  1. TEA will only reimburse the cost of the professional development program.
  2. Reimbursements will be approved based on the availability of funds and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  3. For the 2019-2020 academic year, PD programs must be completed by August 30, 2020, to be eligible for reimbursement; TEA will release the procedures for the 2020-2021 reimbursements in the summer of 2020. 

For additional information or assistance, please send an email to MIZ@tea.texas.gov.

Sincerely, 

Andrew Hodge
Director of Innovative Instructional Models
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701