I look forward to March every year. The weather starts to get warmer, the plants start blooming and we, of course, get a week off for Spring Break! I hope that you have wonderful plans for your Spring Break that includes rest and rejuvenation.

Here are just a few items to bring to your attention in this issue:

• TEKS Revision Work Group Information and Application
• TEA Updates
• Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
  

As always, I would like to help in any way that I can to take something off your plate. Please feel free to reach out any time for a resource, idea, or support of any kind.

JUNE 21st - 3rd Annual Metroplex Social Studies Conference (face to face at Region 10)

• Registration is LIVE - Space Is Limited

JUNE 27th-JUNE 28th - 2nd Annual Ethnic Studies Conference (face to face at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum)

• Registration Coming Soon

TEA Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division have received confirmation from the Assessment Division of TEA that the USCIS citizenship questions will NOT be included on the 2022 US History EOC test, except as possible field-test items. As you know, field-test items do not count in students’ scores. The timetable for implementation of USCIS citizenship questions was interrupted by the pandemic. We now expect to have them as operational items on the US History EOC test no sooner than spring of 2023.

Message from TEA:

Dear social studies educators,

As you may know, the State Board of Education (SBOE) is in the process of revising the kindergarten-grade 12 social studies TEKS. As part of the review process, the SBOE convenes work groups to make recommendations for revisions to the TEKS. TEA collects applications from educators, parents, and community members who are interested in serving on work groups. There is a special need for work group applicants with experience teaching the following courses:

Ethnic Studies: African American Studies

Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies

Government

Psychology

Sociology

Special Topics in Social Studies

Social Studies Research Methods

World Geography

Should you have experience in one of the above courses and wish to participate, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Initial work groups will begin convening as early as this month. The application is available at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/2021-2022-social-studies-teks-review.

Questions related to the application for the social studies TEKS review and revision process can be directed to teks@tea.texas.gov.

Have you been wondering what the new STAAR tests will contain? Updated blueprints have been posted to the testing page for TEA. Click on the button below to see more.

TEA has published new information regarding the STAAR redesign. Check out the links below for access to these resources:

The STAAR redesign includes several components:

Online Testing and Accommodations

New Question Types (Especially check out the online samplers of new question types, updated test blueprints, and scoring and reporting guides)

Cross-curricular Passages

Evidence-based Writing

More information about the STAAR redesign can be found on the STAAR Redesign webpage.

Participants will spend a day, in a face-to-face training, with NEWSELA Specialists and learn the many great tools NEWSELA has to offer. Upon completion, participants will earn the credentials of a Certified Educator for Newsela.

You’ll learn how to:

• leverage applications and practices of Newsela content
• design article and Text Set assignments for lessons and unit planning
• analyze assignment trends and student insights in the teacher Binder
• collaborate and share resources with other Newsela teachers
• lead and facilitate Newsela support for your school community

Why should you take this course?

• An official badge to share on professional and social platforms
• Ability to apply for scholarships to attend and present at conferences
• Opportunities to extend your learning as a Newsela Teacher Trainer and Newsela Fellow
• Teachers get access to a year of Newsela's Subject Products upon completion.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN - REGISTER HERE

Join us for a series of monthly cohort meetings this Spring to explore the process of implementing Ethnic Studies courses (specifically the Mexican American and African American Studies courses) in your district. If you have already implemented these courses but would like to join to share your experiences and learn new ideas to implement next year, we encourage you to join in with us. We will discuss proposal ideas, planning the courses, instructional resources, and strategies for teaching with cultural sensitivity. Find support from educators in both Region 10 and Region 11 to create curriculum that will be ready to implement in the 2021-2022 school year.

These sessions are open to teachers, curriculum specialists, coordinators either currently teaching, implementing or planning either Ethnic Studies course or those that have plans to do so.

UPDATE:

OUR COHORT WILL CONTINUE THIS SPRING WITH DATES ON JANUARY 18, FEBRUARY 15, APRIL 12 & MAY 17. REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW.

This six-hour institute includes a session designed to address TEKS for teaching the Civil War (8th Grade) to present (High School) and a session on resources and strategies to teach and review for the state assessment. Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/3tY2GDP.

Texas Law Related Education (LRE) provides an awesome opportunity (and some phenomenal resources) each year to showcase students' U.S. history knowledge. It's also a great way to review your kids before the STAAR administration. All events will be virtual, and you can find more information in the links below:

Region 10 Citizen Bee (High School)

• Written -- March 29th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Oral -- March 30th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Region 10 Bee in a Box (Middle School)

• Written -- April 26th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Oral -- April 27th, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Check Them Out Below:

2018-2019:

September 2018, November 2018, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, June 2019

2019-2020:

August 2019, September 2019, October 2019, November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, March 2020, April 2020 (Part 1), April 2020 (Part II), May 2020 (Part I), May 2020 (Part II) June 2020, July 2020

2020-2021:

August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, October 2020 (Part II), November/December 2020, December 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021 (Part I), March 2021 (Part II), April 2021 (Part I), April 2021 (Part II), May 2021 (Part I), May 2021 (Part II), July 2021, August 2021, September 2021, September 2021 (Part II), October 2021, November 2021, December 2021, January 2022, February 2022

Email: kelly.bellar@region10.org
Website: https://www.region10.org/programs/social-studies/service-offerings/
Location: Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1432
Twitter: @Region10SS