For further clarification, please visit TEA'S HB3 Reading Academies site.
1. How will teachers new to the profession or specific grade level be trained?
Each classroom teacher initially employed to teach kindergarten, first, second, or third grade and each principal at a campus with kindergarten, first, second, or third grade must attend the Texas Reading Academies by the end of their first year of placement in that grade level or campus [TEC, §28.0062(2)(B)]. It is highly recommended to allow new teachers time to become more acclimated to their duties and responsibilities by enrolling them in the course by the end of their first year. Having to juggle the demands of both the course and their roles as a teacher has proven to be quite overwhelming, resulting in resignation and/or not returning to the classroom.
2. What about Alternative Certification teachers who are working to complete their program? Are they required to complete the Reading Academies?
Alternative Certification teachers are considered new teachers who have yet to complete all requirements for certification. It is highly recommended that districts allow these teachers time to complete their program's requirements before enrolling in the Reading Academies course. If the teacher does not complete the program requirements, s/he will be unable to fulfill the district's employment requirements, thus resulting in his/her termination and loss of money spent to enroll in course.
3. We are interested in having our staff complete the course online. Is this option available?
As of July 2023, TEA shifted to the Comprehensive model only to deliver the Reading Academies course. The Blended model (100% online) is now only available for Administrators and DHH through ESC-16.
Staff enrolled in the Comprehensive course are required to:
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Complete online Reading Academies course modules in the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) by achieving at least 80% mastery on all assignments (including Checks for Understanding and Artifacts).
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Attend 10 in-person professional development sessions (6 hours each) which cover the course content.
- Demonstrate mastery of Reading Academies content during four classroom observations and coaching sessions (two in the Fall, two in the Spring) by a Comprehensive Cohort Leader.
4. Do K-3 teachers who only offer instruction in Math and Science need to complete the Reading Academies?
Yes. K-3 Math and Science teachers who are teachers of record must complete the Reading Academies because literacy plays an important role in Math and Science instruction, and all K-3 teachers will benefit from the information learned in the Reading Academies. For example, word problems are very common in Math. If a student is unable to decode or comprehend the word problem, they will not be able to solve it. In Science, students rely heavily on building their vocabulary and comprehension skills to be able to understand the content. Additionally, many K-3 Math or Science teachers also provide tutoring and intervention support. Those teachers mush understand the science of teaching reading to effectively support learner needs, especially those with reading difficulties. To make the Reading Academies more relevant for these teachers, cross-curricular connections have been included throughout the modules and explicitly discuss how literacy is embedded in Math, Science, and Social Studies. An application is available for districts that wish to request a waiver for Reading Academies for Mathematics teachers who passed the Science of Teaching Reading Exam. Districts will need to provide basic information in the application, a screenshot showing the teacher's STR certification, and an assurance that the teacher will only teach Mathematics in the current school year.
5. What is the cost to enroll staff in the Reading Academies?
The cost to enroll in the Comprehensive model of the course with an Authorized Provider (AP) is $3,000 per participant. Districts are responsible for paying for staff to enroll in the course.
On the other hand, if the district chooses to implement the course locally (hire their own FTE to facilitate the course and provide coaching to participants), the cost is $12,000 per cohort leader.
The Blended model (100% online) is only available for the Administrator or DHH course which is only offered through ESC-16. The cost for this course is $400 per participant.
6. My district has a new Principal who completed the teacher course while still serving in that role. Does this person have to complete the Administrator course also?
Once an educator receives HB 3 credit for completing a Reading Academies course, it will apply to all future roles within a school district. However, a teacher cannot enroll in the Admin Pathway unless s/he is employed as an administrator or district-level staff member.
7. How do I get my Principal (and/or Assistant Principal) enrolled in a Reading Academies course?
Administrators may enroll in the Blended course (100% online) through ESC-16, the sole Authorized Provider to administer the course. Click this link for more information and/or to pre-register your staff.
