Selection/Adoption Process

May Texas School Districts Use Instructional Materials Aligned to the Common Core Standards?

June 18, 2014

Today, the Texas Attorney General issued the much-anticipated opinion GA 1067, addressing “Use of the Common Core State Standards Initiative by Texas school districts to teach state standards.” We were among the sources asked whether the AG’s opinion prohibits Texas school districts from purchasing instructional materials aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The Austin American-Statesman has a brief article …

Where Does Funding for Instructional Materials Come From?

July 21, 2022June 3, 2014

Few states make a specific appropriation to districts for the purposes of purchasing instructional materials and/or technology. South Carolina, Florida, and Texas are among the states that do. In Texas, the funds for the Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) begin at the Permanent School Fund (PSF), which was created by the legislature in 1854 with a $2 million appropriation for the …

How Learning List Helps Further Educational Equity

May 2, 2014

A central premise of American public education is that all students should have access to a rigorous, high-quality curriculum. While education reform efforts have tended to focus on the challenges urban public schools face in achieving educational equity, rural schools also confront challenges in achieving this important goal. Social and geographic isolation, coupled with inadequate school and community resources, limits …

Funding Update: Financial Literacy Curricula

July 21, 2022April 3, 2014

Discover Financial Services seeks to ensure that all students have the skills needed for a successful financial future. In support of this goal, Discover administers the Pathway to Financial Success (PFS) program which provides grants to U.S. public high schools that implement a financial literacy curriculum. Per the PFS website, in order to be eligible for grants a high school: …

ING Unsung Heroes Programs Provides Funding for Innovative Teaching

July 21, 2022March 3, 2014

The ING Unsung Heroes Program recognizes K-12 educators who are innovative in the classroom and positively influence students. The program provides 100 educators statewide with grants of $2,000 grants each year to implement creative projects in schools or school systems. The top three finalists receive awards of $27,000, $12,000, and $7,000. All K-12 educators working full-time in an accredited public …

How to Use Online Instructional Materials Effectively – Part 2 – Personalized Learning

August 12, 2022February 6, 2014

As educators seek ways to improve student learning and decrease the dropout rate, individualized learning or what many now call personalized learning is taking the stage in the mainstream classroom. If used correctly, personalized learning may provide students with the specific instruction that meets their needs and thus improves their achievement. In the ASCD INFObrief, “The Building Blocks of High …

Funding Update: Siemens STEM Opportunities for Teachers, Summer 2014

July 21, 2022January 6, 2014

Siemens STEM Academy is accepting applications for its Siemens STEM Institute and Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARS) programs through February 4, 2014. Both programs are opportunities for middle school and high school STEM teachers to participate in all-expense-paid professional development activities in summer 2014. The Siemens STEM Institute accepts fifty educators, or STEM Fellows, to attend a week-long institute hosted …

Proclamation 2014 Product Trends: Special Populations

December 30, 2013

Over the past few months, Learning List staff have attended quite a few vendor conferences for products under consideration for state adoption in Texas. These conferences have been hosted by Texas’ regional Educational Service Centers and have given vendors an opportunity to present their products and educators an opportunity to preview the new science, math, and technology applications materials that …

Funding Update: Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grants

July 21, 2022December 19, 2013

Lowe’s is accepting online applications for its 2013-14 Toolbox for Education Grants through February 15, 2014. However, once 1,500 applications have been received, no further applications will be accepted. Toolbox grants provide between $2,000 and $5,000 to public K-12 schools to undertake projects that lead to permanent enhancement of school facilities and may be completed within one year. Examples of …

Online vs. Print in Texas

March 27, 2023December 12, 2013

On November 22, 2013, the SBOE released a list of 405 state-adopted math, science and technical applications products, 303 of which align to 100% of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). More than two-thirds of the products on the state-adopted list are online products. According to John Lopez, Managing Director of TEA’s Instructional Materials and Educational Technology division, the …

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