TEA releases new details about flexibility for Reading Academies in 2022-23

In a June 30 communication to the field, 2022-23 Texas Reading Academies Implementation, TEA outlined new flexibility for Reading Academies for the 2022-23 school year:

Participants with extenuating circumstances will continue to have additional time to complete academies. Administrators should contact their authorized provider for additional information specific to a participant’s situation. The current list of Reading Academies Authorized Providers is located here.

New Demonstrated Proficiency Option

Districts may allow certain teachers to attempt to demonstrate knowledge without completing modules first. Individuals with an advanced understanding of the science of teaching reading, a proven track record of consistently high student proficiency, and outstanding performance on teacher evaluations may demonstrate their knowledge and expertise without having completed a full 12-module academy through the new demonstrated proficiency option.

1. To be eligible, an individual must have a written recommendation from a district or charter school administrator.
2. An individual will be required to pass a prescreening exam.
3. An individual will be required to complete 3 artifacts.

Individuals who pass the screener and all three artifacts, on the first attempt, will receive HB 3 credit and not be required to enroll in the general Texas Reading Academies course. However, an individual who does not pass all parts of the demonstrated proficiency option will not receive credit. No refunds will be given, and teachers will be required to enroll in the full Texas Reading Academies course before the end of the 2022-23 school year.  

New Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Pathways

Teachers who have passed the STR exam will not have to complete all Reading Academies module content. For educators who have earned the STR certification, the following streamlined options will be available:

• STR ELAR Pathway
• STR Biliteracy Pathway

The STR pathways will allow STR-certified educators to complete a shorter version of the Reading Academies. Administrators may wish to enroll new teachers in a January 2023 or June 2023 cohort to allow time during the school year for other new teacher priorities.

The following authorized providers have confirmed their intent to offer STR pathways in Year 3:

New STR-Certified Math Teacher Waiver

Teachers who have passed the STR exam and only teach math will be eligible for a waiver from the Reading Academies requirement. Districts and charter schools that wish to request a waiver of Texas Reading Academies for mathematics teachers who have passed the STR exam can do so through this application. Districts and charter schools 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 2022-23 school year. Questions can be submitted to the support portal using this link Support Portal Form Link.

Streamlined content

Content for the original pathways has been streamlined to ensure actual seat time accurately reflects projected seat time. For example, Module 3 is now optional.

The following options will be available with cohort launches in June, July, August, and September 2022 and January 2023:

• ELAR Pathway
• Biliteracy Pathway
• Admin Pathway
• Dual Pathway

Cohort leaders will no longer be required to grade artifacts. This will allow cohort leaders to dedicate their time to support teachers as they complete the Texas Reading Academies.

Districts and charter schools can now verify completion on the TEA website's Searchable Database.

Reading Academy Cohorts for the 2022-23 school year

School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must ensure that not later than the 2022-23 school year, each classroom teacher in kindergarten or first, second, or third grade and each principal at a campus with kindergarten or first, second, or third grade has attended a reading academy, per Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0062(2)(A).

Teachers and administrators will have a variety of options through which to meet this requirement. Below are lists of the types of cohorts that are available during each launch.

June 2022

• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch

July 2022

• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch

August 2022

• Demonstrated proficiency window
• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch

September 2022

• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch

October 2022

• STR ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• STR Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Demonstrated proficiency window

January 2023

• STR ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• STR Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch

June 2023

• STR ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• STR Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• ELAR Pathway cohort launch
• Biliteracy Pathway cohort launch
• Admin Pathway cohort launch
• Dual Pathway cohort launch