The 80th Texas legislature provided direction (HB 2237) and funding for the statewide implementation of adolescent literacy academies for teachers of grades 6 through 8. These academies are intended to give English language arts/reading and content area teachers successful, research-based strategies for improving their students' academic literacy.
There will be a 4-day English Language Arts (ELA) Academy for English and reading teachers in grades 6-8 and a 2-day Content Area Academy for mathematics, science and social studies teachers of grades 6-8. The academies for grade 6 teachers will begin in the summer of 2008 and those for grades 7 and 8 teachers will begin in the summer of 2009. Teachers who complete all of the requirements for the ELA Academy will receive a $500 stipend, and those who complete the Content Area Academy will receive a $250 stipend.
Attendance for most teachers is voluntary. However, educators that meet the criteria for attendance and teach in a campus labeled Academically Unacceptable (AU) are required by HB 2237 to attend these academies. Grade 6 teachers on campuses that are rated AU as of the final accountability rating released by November 1, 2007 will attend the academies in 2008. Teachers in grades 7 and 8 on campuses that are rated AU as of the final accountability rating released by November 1, 2008 will participate in the academies in 2009. The academies will be managed by the 20 regional education service centers (ESC's). Detailed information about the sessions in your region will be forthcoming from your ESC. Additional information regarding the Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies, please visit www.tea.state.tx.us/tala. The web site should be active September 1, 2007, but it may not become active until later in the month.