Welcome to the Region 10 ELAR Newsletter!
New Look... Same Great Information!
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August 11, 2025
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! The Region 10 ELAR team is excited to continue supporting you with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and relevant resources for every grade level. Whether you're diving into a new curriculum or refining your craft, we are here to help you empower readers and writers across your campus. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, connection, and impact!
| | What's New for Region 10 ELAR in 2025? | | We are excited to introduce our NEW! newsletter, designed to encompass a comprehensive range of Reading Language Arts (RLA) information, integrating insights from curriculum, instructional practices, and materials across all teams involved in literacy here at Region 10 ESC. This initiative reflects Region 10 ESC's unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and harnessing the diverse perspectives essential for effective literacy education. We aim to empower educators with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance their teaching strategies. | Region 10 Curriculum, Instruction, Materials (CIM) Team Logo | | Region 10 ELAR Instructional Practices Team | | The ELAR Instructional Practices Team offers professional learning, content area technical assistance, instructional planning, and coaching for LEAs who are members of the Instructional Practices Co-op. If you would like support from the ELAR Instructional Practices Team, please fill out the Request Form or contact the Program Coordinator, Arynn Rasmussen . | | Your Fall ELAR PD Lineup Awaits | | | |
R10 ELAR Fall 2025 PD Flyer
This fall, Region 10 ELAR Instructional Practices offers dynamic in-person and virtual sessions on ECR mastery, AI in writing, research-based strategies (RBIS), reading support, and teacher wellness. Join us to elevate instruction, boost student success, and refresh your professional practice.
R10 ELAR Fall 25 PD Flyer
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Just Build Relationships They Say...
Each year, teachers are told to "build relationships" with their students, but no one ever gives any specific ways to do that. In this month's PD in 15, I share three poetry activities you can use to build stronger relationships with your students from day 1 of school. Enjoy our PD in 15: Poetic Start.
| | STAAR Constructed Response Guides are Here! | | | |
2025 Constructed Response Guides
| | | ELAR Curriculum Management (TCMPC) Team | | These consultants offer training, planning, and implementation assistance for schools that utilize TCMPC resources. If you would like support from the TCMPC Team, please fill out the Request Form or contact the Program Coordinator, Angela Greca. | | |
Are you Implementing Bluebonnet?
The BB Planning Tools are complete and are rolling out as units/modules post in TCMPC. You can find them in ITRS+.
They will be shared into your Go TCMPC district workspaces from the Region 10 workspace as well.
If you need access to Bluebonnet in TCMPC, please fill out the request form
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SB 12: Instructional Plans
We've received inquiries as to whether the YAGs (Year at a Glance) from TCMPC can serve as the instructional plan to fulfill the requirement in SB 12 (see below). The answer is yes, you may share/post the YAGs for the courses included in Go TCMPC. We hope this helps alleviate some of the work for you and your teachers!
Sec. 26.0062. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE REGARDING INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN. (a) Each school district shall adopt a policy to make available on the district's Internet website at the beginning of each semester an instructional plan or course syllabus for each class offered in the district for that semester.
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Bluebonnet Assessment Update
Eduphoria released the Bluebonnet assessments in Aware at the end of July. These would be the digital assessments only at this time. The print version of these is still being worked on but those should be ready in the next week. If any LEA needs any support with this, they can reach out to:
Paige Stricklin
paige.stricklin@region10.org
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Bluebonnet Learning & Strong Foundations Team | | |
Bluebonnet Learning, developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) as official curriculum resources, offers state-developed instructional materials that are 100% aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
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Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI) provides direct grant funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) for technical assistance to support the high-fidelity implementation of the Bluebonnet Learning Instructional Materials.
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We're here to support you in the implementation of your curriculum. If you have specific questions related to the Strong Foundations grant, please reach out to Ben Dickerson, Program Coordinator, at 972-348-1732 or ben.dickerson@region10.org.
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TEA Strong Foundations Newsletter
The Strong Foundations Team has been busy supporting school systems to ensure they are on track for Cycle 3 and laying the groundwork for what we hope will be the strongest school year yet. We truly appreciate your continued partnership and the important work you do every day.
This August issue discusses Strong Foundations Planning and Implementation Milestones and reminders.
Strong Foundations August Newsletter
| | | | Key Insights from the 89th Legislature Updates |
Yes, You Heard That Correctly... HB2, Article 5
Removes the 7th Grade Reading Screener Requirement Beginning with the 25-26 School Year!
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Important News!! HB 2 - Article 5
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, HB2, Article 5 removes the requirement that districts have to administer a 7th grade reading instrument at the beginning of the school year to students who did not pass their RLA STAAR test in 6th grade.
| Reading Academies for Interventionists in the Works | |
HB 2 - Article 5 (cont.)
TEA will develop reading and math academies specific to reading and math interventionists.
Intervention
Districts will be required to provide reading intervention to students who fail two consecutive early literacy assessments from kindergarten - grade 3.
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SB13 - School Library Catalogs
Effective September 1, 2025, this bill entitles a parent to gain access to school library catalogs and records of library materials the parent's child checks out or uses outside of a school library. Parents can submit a list of materials their child is not allowed to check out or access outside the school library.
| | Stay Up to Date with Legislature Updates Here! | |
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TEA ELAR August Newsletter
This month's TEA ELAR Newletter provides information related to the following topics:
- Technology Applications TEKS Guide Is Live
- TEA Releases Spring 2025 STAAR® Assessment Results
- Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) Can Help Meet Students’ Course Needs
TEA ELAR August Newsletter
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Did you know that TEA offers a wide selection of online, Job-embedded PD through the TEA Learn platform?
One of those free courses, Literacy for All! Designing Inclusive Literacy Learning Environments, is designed to help educators understand the importance of teaching students who struggle to read on grade level in grades 4-12 foundational reading skills. Participants learn about the science of teaching reading, including an overview of what skills need to be mastered to become a proficient reader, how the brain learns to read, the characteristics of dyslexia and dysgraphia, how a student’s learning abilities associated with reading can impact a student’s ability to learn how to read, and what instruction and accommodations can remove barriers to learning.
Sign Up for: Literacy for All!! Online Course
| | | Upcoming Conference Opportunities | | Region 10 Experiencing EdTech Conference | | |
DETAILS:
🎒 School is back in session—and it's the perfect time to plan something fun, inspiring, and energizing to break up the fall semester!
🌟 Join us for the 2025 Experiencing EdTech Conference, hosted by Region 10! This year, we’re expanding to TWO full days of innovation, collaboration, and practical edtech strategies you can use right away.
📅 Dates: October 30–31, 2025
📍 Location: Region 10 ESC, Richardson, TX
Whether you're in curriculum, instructional leadership, edtech integration, or student support services, this event is designed for leaders like you. Strands cover Generative AI, Edtech Strategies, and Supporting Unique Learners (EBs, SPED, etc)!
🎥 Catch a glimpse of the energy and impact from last year’s event:
👉 Watch the 2024 Experiencing EdTech Recap! https://lnkd.in/gT6QmCsM
🖊️ Ready to present? Our Call for Proposals is still open! Share your insights, tools, and success stories:
👉 Submit a Proposal: https://lnkd.in/gEnVDJ4x
🎟️ Register today and join us in shaping the future of digital learning!
👉 Register for Experiencing EdTech 2025: https://lnkd.in/guKvkpnX
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Truth for Teachers Podcast
By Angela Watson
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Episode 329: How a daily binder routine teaches students the skills behind academic success
As educators embark on a new school year, the importance of effective strategies to enhance student organization and learning cannot be overstated. This month, we are excited to recommend an insightful episode from the Truth for Teachers podcast by Angela Watson, featuring Mitch Weathers. Weathers introduces the concept of using an Organized Binder, a powerful tool that teaches students vital executive functions—the foundational skills essential for their success. By implementing predictable learning routines, educators can cultivate safer learning environments where students feel empowered to embrace the risks inherent in their educational journey.
| | Click on the image below to listen to the episode. | | What books are we reading? | | | |
Mini Moves for Every Writer:
Fifty Transferable Techniques for Writing Across the Content Areas
by Sam Futrell and Rebekah O’Dell
Discover strategies to strengthen students’ writing. Authors Sam Futrell and Rebekah O’Dell provide educators with small moves and mentor texts to help students hone their voice, craft with intention, and write with confidence. With targeted approaches, videos, and ready-to-use workbooks, this book supports students as they master 10 different writing skills while enhancing literacy in any content area.
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Let us know what you're reading!
Submit a book recommendation.
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