Greetings, CAABSE members and supporters! We hope that this summer has been a time of rest and relaxation for each of you. Time away from work and time spent with family and friends is critical for our own self-care. While we celebrate having a strong work ethic and professional success, equally important are down-time, time for self-reflection, and our personal goals and relationships.

The CAABSE Executive Board and Committee Chairs have been working to prepare a strong start to the 2021-2022 school year. Our membership committee has partnered with local churches to provide assistance with Back to School materials for students. By providing a financial donation, as well as assistance with distribution, CAABSE is committed to a strong start for students for this school year.

Additionally, CAABSE won a grant from United Way to support literacy in our Central Texas Schools! Find out more about how CAABSE supports literacy at our first virtual meeting of the school year, on August 17, 2021!

We are thrilled to support Black students, Black educators, and those who work for the advancement of Black students in Central Texas. Join a committee and be a part of our strategic planning to make CAABSE a success!

CAABSE partnered with local churches this summer to purchase and distribute Back to School items for students. Thank you to those who assisted with this effort! We look forward to the opportunity to serve again in January!

Thank you to Mount Sinai Baptist Church and Sweet Home Baptist Church

On May 18, 2021, Governor Abbott declared that districts and charter schools cannot require students, nor staff to wear masks (Executive Order GA-36). Furthermore, schools are required to open at full capacity, which will eliminate social distancing, in most cases. As COVID-19 cases rise in Central Texas many wonder how to protect themselves and their students from the disease. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recommends that local education agencies (LEAs) “refer to practices recommended by the CDC”.

Reference: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-36_prohibition_on_mandating_face_coverings_response_to_COVID-19_disaster_IMAGE_05-18-2021.pdf

On June 16, 2021, General House Bill 4545 was passed by Texas legislators. Essentially, the law mandates LEAs to provide accelerated instruction to third through eighth grade students who did not pass the STAAR, STAAR Alternative, or End of Course (EOC) Assessment in 2020-2021.

What does this look like? Districts must assign these students to master or exemplary teachers. It is strongly recommended that students must be tutored in a group of three or less. Additionally, the Accelerated Learning Committee will outline an instruction plan for students in grades third, fifth, and eighth grades. The minimum threshold of time required is 30 hours per subject (math and/or reading). Finally, students must be tutored during a scheduled intervention time that does not conflict with core subjects, recess or specific enrichment class. For more information on HB-4545 click here.

Reference: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/tclas-faq.pdf

Recently, school districts all across the Nation were granted funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on communities. This grant called the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) aims to provide sub-grants to public school systems that need supplemental resources in order to address the impact this Pandemic has brought upon our children and families. The State of Texas recently awarded funding amounts to school districts across the state. Each district and charter school system must apply for the grant by submitting proposals to TEA that will include how they will support students impacted by learning loss and other social/emotional challenges. For more information on the use of ESSER please go to the following link: ESSER FAQ

Our committees make the magic happen! We need your support for the 2021-2022 School year!

Please email one of the committee chairs listed below to learn how you can be involved.

Membership Committee: Trana Allen - President-Elect@caabse.org

The duties of this Committee shall be to identify mechanisms for "marketing" CAABSE to individuals and institutions so that the number of members increases annually.

Finance Committee: Kenisha Coburn - Treasurer@caabse.org

The duties of the Financial/Fund Raising Committee shall be to identify programs for raising funds to support the Alliance's operation and activities, identify possible sources of grant and gift funds, and participate in direct fundraising activities.

Scholarship Committee: Reshanta Stewart - Reshanta_Stewart@yahoo.com

The duties of the scholarship Committee shall be to identify scholarship recipients and the process for CAABSE awards/honors. Additionally, the scholarship committee will determine ways to fund continued learning opportunities for CAABSE members.

Legislation Committee: Jonathan Smith- jonsvatx@gmail.com

The duties of the Public Policy and Legislation Committee may include the advocacy of legislation and policy that affect education, especially the education of black children. During legislative years this committee may participate in activities at the capital. During non-legislative years this committee may participate in advocacy and networking that may be addressed in the year to come

Programs Committee: Sonya Jackson - Sonya.jackson0468@yahoo.com

The Program Committee shall commit to the educational development of the community that advances black students, their families, and educators who support black students

Conference Committee: Hutcherson Hill - President@caabse.org

This committee will work to influence and support the TABSE conference as a representative of CAABSE.

Dr. Traci Wright and Shachon Leaf