TO: School District Superintendents

TO: School District Superintendents

SUBJECT: Texas Educator Excellence Grant, Cycle 2 and Subchapter O Joint TETN
DATE: July 2, 2007

Grant applications for Cycle 2 of the Texas Educator Excellence Grant (TEEG) are due to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on Thursday, September 6, 2007. Additionally, the agency is preparing to release program information for the third state incentive program, commonly referred to as Subchapter O in House Bill 1.

A TETN (event number 25648) is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. to address these grants. The TETN will: 1) highlight critical application submission requirements for Cycle 2 of TEEG, and allow participants to ask clarifying questions related to completion of the RFA and/or the grant’s requirements, and 2) discuss Subchapter O, a districtwide incentive program that awards teachers.

Subchapter O is designed to provide funding to districts to support the establishment of districtwide goals and the implementation of a financial awards system that:

1) awards teachers for positively impacting student achievement;

2) targets the district’s most in-need campuses to improve teacher quality; and

3) creates capacity and sustainability for improved instruction within the district.

Funds should be used by districts to create award plans to reward educators, principals, and other school staff, and may be used for other allowable activities including: 1) stipends and awards for recruitment and retention of teachers; 2) on-going applied professional growth; and 3) implementation of the teacher advancement program (TAP).

The agency will provide technical assistance and solicit feedback on the Cycle 2 submission process and the program requirements for Subchapter O during the session. Therefore, the agency recommends that district personnel and staff at eligible TEEG, Cycle 2 campuses participate in the TETN as well as district superintendents, central office staff, administrators, local school board members, and others interested in additional Subchapter O information.

For TETN related questions, please contact Vanessa DeLacretaz at (512) 463-6939 or . For questions on Subchapter O, please contact Jerel Booker at (512) 463-3452 or , or Priscilla Aquino at (512) 463-5759 or . For TEEG related questions, please contact Rita Ghazal at (512) 463-8911 or .

Sincerely,

Rita Ghazal

Program Manager of Policy Initiatives

Office of Education Initiatives

Texas Education Agency