Blended Learning PD Reimbursements for the 2021-2022 School Year

Date:  November 4, 2021       
Subject: Blended Learning PD Reimbursements for the 2021-2022 School Year
Category: Reimbursement Opportunity
Next Steps:  Share with curriculum & instruction staff, campus leaders

 

Blended learning combines online learning with face-to-face teacher-led instruction to effectively differentiate instruction for all students. High-quality professional development (PD) for educators is a foundational component of successful blended learning implementation that leads to improved academic outcomes for students. To assist school systems in a high-fidelity implementation of blended learning, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will reimburse school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (local educational agencies or LEAs) for blended learning professional development programs from qualifying providers. This funding is provided by Rider 52 of the General Appropriations Act of the 87th Texas Legislature.

The qualified programs for Blended Learning PD reimbursements for the 2021-2022 school year are:

PD Provider & Contact Info Program Description Website

UTeach at UT Austin; pdinfo@uteach.utexas.edu

Five research-based, online blended learning courses facilitated by expert educators:

  • Foundations of Blended Learning (Beginner): $1,000Advanced Blended Learning (Advanced): $1,000
  • Designing Project-Based Instruction in the Blended Classroom (Advanced): $1,000
  • Blended Learning Coaching and Collaboration (Advanced): $1,000
  • Implementing Project-Based Instruction in the Blended Classroom: (Advanced): $625

 

All courses come with a success coach and live webinars and take 3 months to complete. Educators who complete the UTeach online Blended Learning PD are supported with job-embedded, just-in-time professional development to support the classroom change to a blended learning environment.

Link Here

UT High School at UT Austin; UTHS_BLPD@austin.utexas.edu 

Four online, research-based courses to train K-12 educators in implementing blended learning in the classroom:

 

  • Blended Learning Basics (Beginner): $225
  • Blended Learning Curriculum & Instruction Design & Delivery (Intermediate): $225
  • Blended Learning Flex Model Design & Delivery (Intermediate): $225
  • Blended Learning Coaching & Support (Advanced): $500

 

Each course is 6 hours where educators engage with their cohort during a 6-week period to plan and implement blended learning lessons with their students while receiving coaching support from an experienced, Texas-certified teacher with blended learning expertise.

Link Here

 

Note: TNTP and Instruction Partners are approved for this reimbursement opportunity for participants of Math Innovation Zones (MIZ) and the Blended Learning Grant Program (BLGP). This professional development is intended to align the core instructional content of the classroom with the online component. MIZ and BLGP LEAs should contact MIZ@tea.texas.gov if interested.

Process for Approval of Reimbursements: 

  1. The LEA contacts the PD provider, completes provider-created readiness materials, and submits the list of educators to be enrolled in the program to the PD provider;
  2. TEA and the PD provider will review readiness assessment and approve LEA and educator eligibility for reimbursements;
  3. Once approval is obtained, the LEA pays the cost of the selected program and educators begin the PD program; and 
  4. Upon verified educator completion of the program, TEA will reimburse the LEA.

Please note:

  1. Reimbursements will be approved based on the availability of funds and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  2. For the 2021-2022 school year, PD programs must be completed by August 31, 2022, to be eligible for reimbursement.

For additional information or assistance, please send an email to MIZ@tea.texas.gov.