TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
On October 5-6, 2001, the Family and Consumer Sciences Education unit of the Texas Education Agency will be conducting the Professional Development Conference for New and Returning Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers. This conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Town Lake located in Austin at I-35 and Town Lake Road. Enclosed you will find a conference registration form.
This conference will focus specifically on issues and concerns of first year teachers and teachers returning to a family and consumer sciences assignment after an absence from teaching in this field.
This conference will address several unique problems related to faculty of the Family and Consumer Sciences Education field. These problems include a large number of teacher changes, teacher retirements, and an overall shortage of teachers. In an effort to provide Family and Consumer Sciences Education to students amidst a teacher shortage, administrators have had to hire teachers who are inexperienced, lack training, and are on emergency teaching permits. These teachers will receive professional development that will provide them with focus, content, and resources for Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
Additionally, the conference will concentrate on several themes related to Family and Consumer Sciences Education. These themes include program philosophy, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, effective instructional practices, curriculum, instructional resources, management, funding, reporting, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, State Board of Education policies, and the implementation of education initiatives.
Please inform new and returning Family and Consumer Sciences Education teachers of this conference by distributing copies of the enclosed information. Thank you in advance for your help. Please feel free to contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Education unit at (512) 463-9454, if there are questions regarding this conference.
Respectfully yours,
Alfredo Acevedo, Jr.
Managing Director, Continuing Education
For further information on this topic, contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Education unit at (512) 463-9454.