The 80th Texas legislature provided direction (HB 2237) and funding for the statewide implementation of adolescent literacy academies for teachers in grades 6-8 beginning the summer of 2008. These academies are intended to acquaint English language arts/reading and content area teachers with successful, research-based strategies for improving students’ academic literacy.

There are two academies: English Language Arts/Reading and Content Area. Online registration for the grades 7-8 academies will start February 23, 2009 for sessions scheduled at sites throughout Region 4. Online registration for the grade 6 academies also begins on February 23, 2009. There is no fee for attending these sessions; teachers will receive a stipend upon completion of the requirements.

ELA Academy – Certified, full-time teachers who will teach English language arts and/or reading at least 50% of their day and teach students in grade 6, grade 7 or grade 8 (2009-2010), including teachers in general education, special education or English as a second language education.

Content Area Academy – Certified, full-time teachers who will teach mathematics, science, and/or social studies at least 50% of their day and teach students in grade 6, grade 7, or grade 8 (2009-2010), including teachers in general education, special education or English as a second language education.

Teachers may attend only one academy, even if their teaching assignments change during the two-year period of the project.

Attendance for most teachers is voluntary. However, educators that meet the above criteria and teach in a campus labeled Academically Unacceptable (AU) in Reading are required by legislation (HB 2237) to attend these academies.

Teachers attending the ELA Academy will receive a $500 stipend:

• $250 after attending all 3 days of the face-to-face session
  
• $250 after completing and submitting assignments online between September 1 and December 1 of the same year (equivalent of 1-day follow-up)

Teachers attending the Content Area Academy will receive a $250 stipend:

• $125 after attending all 1.5 days of the face-to-face session
  
• $125 after completing and submitting assignments online between September 1 and December 1 of the same year (equivalent of ½ day follow-up)

If you have questions about TALA, email TALA@esc4.net