The Texas Education Agency's (TEA) approved instrument for evaluating teachers, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS), was the primary instrument used by 86 percent of local education agencies (LEAs) in the state and has been in place since 1997. In acknowledging the vital roles teachers play in student achievement, and based on…

Teacher research is an extension of good teaching, observing students closely, analyzing their needs, and adjusting the curriculum to fit the needs of all. In this completely updated second edition of their definitive work, Ruth Shagoury and Brenda Miller Power present a framework for teacher research along with an extensive collection of…

In 1977 the Texas Education Agency (TEA) organized the Community Schools Advisory Panel (CSAP) because administrators of smaller school districts wanted regular opportunities to express their schools' views to TEA decision makers, especially the Commissioner of Education. CSAP consists of 14 representatives of Texas' 1,009 community schools…

The targeted evaluation approach (TEA) combines student ratings, administrator observation, and measurement of student learning. TEA's five steps are (1) writing learning objectives; (2) developing a plan of instruction; (3) setting performance standards; (4) pretesting and posttesting; and (5) analyzing and judging results. (SK)

The six major sections of this notebook focus on developing the abilities of preschool and kindergarten children in the areas of large and fine motor, social, auditory, visual, language, and mathematics skills. Each section contains several activities parents can do at home in brief and enjoyable practice periods to assist children's development.…

This guide addresses distance learning programs as one approach to the alternative procedures identified by state regulations for use by Texas schools. The general introduction to procedures and regulations for use of distance learning that is provided in the first section briefly describes distance learning, eligible plan sponsors, course…

Guidelines for the preparation of a distance learning program plan for submission to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are presented in this document in outline format. Each of the eight topics to be addressed in the plan is described: (1) funding; (2) the operator or agency responsible for program administration; (3) quality factors in content and…

Experienced caregivers plan ahead for rainy days. This article describes specific rainy day activities for young children, such as books and crafts to learn about rain (rain in a jar, making a rainbow), simple cooking activities (taffy pull, cinnamon candy tea), and games (mummy wrap, hunt the thimble, rain lotto). (EV)

A study explored the use of career concentration areas in Texas school systems and recommended broad career concentration areas. Of the 40 largest school districts, 35 responded to the survey. Approximately 58 percent currently use variations of the career concentration area concept to help students prepare for working life. Respondents…

This book discusses the achievement tests used in educational planning, transitional programming for students with disabilities, and career/vocational planning. Designed to help mental health professionals acquire knowledge and skills quickly, it includes the major individually administered tests. The chapters are: (1) "Overview"; (2)…

Drawing on examples from the best and most popular works in mystery writing--from Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane to Scott Turow and Thomas Harris--this book introduces the fledgling writer to his or her most indispensable "partners in crime": character, plot, and procedure; the secrets to creating heroes and villains; the art of…

Produced by Gary High School (Texas) students, this issue presents three articles on individuals who share stories about their lives in Texas. In the first article, "Henry Earls, 100 + and Still Going Strong" (Darin Baker; Joe Ritter; Michelle Mims), Earls, a resident of Timpson (Texas), describes his work in a sawmill as a youth, his…

This guide is designed as a practical tool for those who wish to meet the requirements of House Bill 1010 and Texas State Board of Education rules that mandate district dropout programs for at-risk youth. This audience includes school district superintendents, at-risk coordinators, vocational education administrators, private industry council…

This manual is designed as a technical resource to explain the accountability system used by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to evaluate the performance of public school districts and campuses. The system integrates district accreditation status; campus ratings; district and campus recognition for high performance and performance improvement; and…

This book is designed to help Peace Corps Volunteers figure out how they learn best and how they can capitalize on this to learn a new language. It teaches volunteers to identify and reflect on their learning style, attitudes, and motivation; organize their learning; and experiment with various strategies and tools for learning a language on their…