ACTION REQUIRED: To be considered for District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.), Cycle 2, Year 1, grantees must submit Notice of Intent and Apply by Wednesday, September 30, 2009.
September 4, 2009
To the Administrator Addressed:
Subject: Mandatory Notice of Intent to Apply - District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) Program, Cycle 2, Year 1.
Eligible Applicants:
The Texas Education Agency is requesting new applicants to complete a Notice of Intent to apply for D.A.T.E. Cycle 2, Year 1 (2009-2010 is an unfunded planning year; 2010-2011 is a funded implementation year). Texas public school districts and open enrollment charter schools are eligible to apply for funding. If your school is NOT on the drop-down list of school options, please contact Mike Vriesenga at 512-463-8911 or Mary Gawron at 512-936-8222.
Districts currently funded under D.A.T.E. are not eligible to apply.
Deadline to Apply
Any interested and eligible district or open-enrollment charter school must submit a mandatory Notice of Intent to Apply no later than Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by 5:00 pm CST in order to be eligible for D.A.T.E. Cycle 2, Year 1 funds. The Notice of Intent to Apply can be completed by visiting NOIDATE2.
The Purpose of the D.A.T.E. Grant
At least 60% of the grant funds must be used to reward teachers and principals who positively impact student academic improvement, growth, and/or achievement. The remaining percent of funds may be used for other allowable activities including stipends and awards for identified teachers, principals, mentors, instructional coaches, and master teachers. In addition, these funds may be used for professional development, increasing local data capabilities to support instruction and accountability, and implementing elements of the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP).
Performance-based award systems cut to the core of organizational dynamics and are not something that can be successfully implemented when viewed as peripheral to the district’s core activities. As such, it is important that such award systems are highly aligned with the overall instructional goals for the district.
District-level planning committees composed of teachers and administrators will establish goals consistent with and motivated by their district improvement strategic plan.
Funding is intended to support the establishment of district award programs that accomplish the following:
1. Award effective teachers and principals for positively impacting student achievement;
2. Create capacity and sustainability for improved instruction within the district;
3. Demonstrate alignment with overall district goals;
Grant awards depend on the number and size of the districts that choose to participate in the grant program.
Please note: The D.A.T.E. grant program awards specific educators for outstanding work above and beyond the norm that results in documented, improved student achievement. The D.A.T.E. grant encourages districts to establish meaningful pay for performance systems that provide substantive awards to outstanding educators. If your district chooses not to distinguish between average and exemplary teachers, or if your district is unwilling to highlight and reward the achievements of your best educators, then the D.A.T.E. grant may be inappropriate for your district.
Project Funding:
Funding is authorized by Texas Education Code, Chapter 21.703. The project period will begin no earlier than August 2010. Consideration for grant awards will only be given to districts that submit the required mandatory Notice of Intent to Apply as directed in this notice.
The 2009-2011 District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.), Cycle 2, Year 1 Grant Application Program will be administered by the Division of Discretionary Grants (through e-Grant format only) and will be available on December 1, 2009 at the following link:
http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx
TEA is not obligated to approve a completed application, provide funds, or endorse any Notice of Intent to Apply submitted in response to this solicitation. The issuance of this solicitation does not obligate TEA to award a grant or pay any costs incurred in preparing a response.
For questions regarding the Notice of Intent to Apply, please contact Mike Vriesinga at (512) 463-8911 or e-mail at michael.vriesenga@tea.state.tx.us or Mary Gawron at (512)- 936-8222 or e-mail at mary.gawron@tea.state.tx.us.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Texas Education Agency - D.A.T.E. Cycle 2, Year 1 Orientation Sessions
The Texas Education Agency is pleased to announce statewide sessions for Texas school districts interested in participating in the next cycle of the District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) grant program. Several orientation sessions have already been held across the state. The remaining sessions will take place at selected Education Service Centers during September 2009. Some dates are posted below; other dates are pending.
The purpose of the workshop is to introduce districts to the D.A.T.E. program, present D.A.T.E. Cycle 2 program requirements and timelines for new grantees, and to hear from current D.A.T.E. districts about their experiences with program design and implementation.
You are highly encouraged to attend these free sessions; however participation is not mandatory. Districts may check for availability, dates and times, and contact a representative for the D.A.T.E. Cycle 2 sessions at one of the ESCs listed below. If your ESC is not listed below, please check with the most convenient location below.
ESC 3 – Victoria
Date Pending
Charlotte Baker
cbaker@esc3.net
(361) 573-0731 x 204
ESC 16 – Amarillo
Date Pending
Hollis Parker Grimes
Hollis.parker.grimes@esc16.net
(806) 677-5086
ESC 17 – Lubbock
September 9, 2009 with IPSI
Holly Lee
hollylee@esc17.net
(806) 281-5859
ESC 18 – Midland
September 17, 2009
Jim Collett
jcollett@esc18.net
(432) 567-3220
ESC 19 – El Paso
Date Pending
Barron White
bwhite@esc19.net
(915) 780-5014
ESC 20 – San Antonio
Date Pending
Kathy Cervantez
Kathy.cervantez@esc20.net
(210) 370-5670
If you have any D.A.T.E. or Orientation Session questions or need assistance, please contact Mike Vriesenga at (512) 463-8911 or Mary Gawron at (512) 936-8222.
