Accountability/Accreditation

The Center provides technical assistance to districts and/or campuses receiving an accountability/accreditation visit with AEIS analysis, assistance with district/campus planning, and district/campus presentations required during the visit. Follow-up assistance will also be provided, based upon specific findings in the accountability/accreditation report. View the Texas Education Agency Accountability Procedures Manual and the Accreditation standards online.

Mayra De Hoyos
Administrative Specialist
mayra.dehoyos@esc20.net
(210) 370-5468

Adequate Yearly Progress

All school districts and charter schools receiving federal funding are expected to demonstrate adequate yearly progress as defined in No Child Left Behind. Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Reviewing AYP Information

• Understanding AYP Reports

• Reviewing implications for failure to meet AYP

For additional information, please contact your AYP service contact:

Administrator Appraisal

The Administrator Appraisal training is the Commissioner's recommended Student Performance Domain for the appraisal of principals. This training provides the structure of the appraisal process and facilitates practice in the application of its components. The training is for principals and their supervisors, and it includes ways to incorporate this domain into the Local Appraisal Instrument.

Beth Griffith
Coordinator 
beth.griffith@esc20.net
(210) 370-5684

Steve Peterson
Coordinator 
steve.peterson@esc20.net
(210) 370-5420

Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD)

Training and technical assistance are available for service providers of students with attention deficit disorders. This includes assistance in recognizing the characteristics of ADD and ADHD, and instructional and management strategies for working effectively with the disorder in a classroom environment.

Will Baker
Educational Specialist 
will.baker@esc20.net
(210) 370-5479

Linda Davidson
Educational Specialist 
linda.davidson@esc20.net
(210) 370-5381

Campus Planning

The overall purpose of effective planning is to attain the educational goal of equity and excellence for all students. ESC-20 provides guidance and technical assistance to districts and campuses in developing improvement plans which reflect current provisions in state and federal statutes and address local needs. The campus improvement planning process is designed to identify school improvement efforts that effectively address the needs of all student populations served.

Center staff works collaboratively with districts and campuses to ensure that:

• District and campus plans are mutually supportive
• Critical campus plan components are identified and addressed
• All students achieve at their full potential

Beth Griffith
Coordinator 
beth.griffith@esc20.net
(210) 370-5684

Child Abuse

Child Abuse Services include training in areas of prevention and legal responsibilities. Technical assistance is also provided regarding access to local resources.

Casandra Graham-Morrison
Educational Specialist 
casandra.morrison@esc20.net
(210) 370-5493

Counselor Cooperative

The School Counselors' Staff Development Cooperative provides counselors with opportunities for professional growth and/or LPC credit through training in the areas of:

• Academic development
• Personal/social development
• Developing and implementing comprehensive guidance products
• Testing
• Needs of special populations
• Crisis in schools
• Legislative updates
• Technology
  

Staff development is aligned with the National Standards for School Counseling Programs of the American School Counselor Association and with the Texas Education Agency's Comprehensive Guidance Program for Texas Schools (a guide for service development Pre-K-12th grade).
(Fee for service)

Ida Garcia
Educational Specialist 
ida.garcia@esc20.net
(210) 370-5493

Dyslexia

Region 20 provides districts with information on the requirements for services to students with dyslexia and related disorders. Professional development may be arranged to equip teachers with the tools needed for delivering specialized services and to answer parent questions. ESC-20 assists districts in exploring options for commonly-used programs and methods such as the Hermann, Orton-Gillingham, Spaulding, and Slingerland. Technical assistance also is available in the implementation of the Texas Education Agency guidelines for developing and implementing effective dyslexia programs.

Cara Wyly
Educational Specialist 
cara.wyly@esc20.net
(210) 370-5407

E-Grants

School districts and charter schools applying for state discretionary and formula funding are required to use e-Grants.  Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Setting up TEA Secure Environment (TEA SE) accounts

• Accessing the e-grants system

• Submission of applications and related program reports

For additional information, please contact your e-Grants service contacts:

Even Start

A Family Literacy service that offers four components, which include parenting education, as well as adult education, early childhood education, and interactive parent-child literacy activities through center-based programming and home visits.

Mark Sanchez
Educational Specialist 
mark.sanchez@esc20.net
(210) 370-5422

Federal Program Funding and Compliance

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Federal Program Updates

• Completion of the Consolidated Application SAS

• Performance Based Monitoring

For additional information, please contact your Federal Program Funding and Compliance Program contacts:

Field Services

The Field Services Component provides technical assistance to superintendents and facilitates communication among districts, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and ESC-20.

Ernesto Tijerina
Senior Field Service Agent 
ernesto.tijerina@esc20.net
(210) 370-5606

Home School

ESC-20 provides technical assistance to parents and school districts. The Center directs parents to the local Home School Association and provides districts information on the process and procedures involved in home schooling.

Ernesto Tijerina
Senior Field Service Agent 
ernesto.tijerina@esc20.net
(210) 370-5606

Migrant Services

Staff development and technical assistance are provided to migrant project districts in the following areas:

• Coordination of migrant services
• Early childhood education
• Graduation enhancement/dropout prevention
• Identification and recruitment of migrant students
• New Generation System for Migrant Student Record Transfer
• Secondary Credit Exchange and Accrual
• Parent Involvement
  

Identification and recruitment services are provided in non-project districts.

Migrant Newsletters (PDF) *

* To view or print Portable Document Format (PDF) files, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed in your computer. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy.

• 2005 September

• 2005 October

• 2005 November

• 2006 January

• 2006 February

• 2006 March

• 2006 April

• 2006 May

• 2006 June

  • 2006 Exemplary Migrant Student Recognition Project Letter (DOC)

  • 2006 Exemplary Migrant Student Recommendation Form (DOC)

ESC-20 Contact(s)

Jeff Goldhorn
Coordinator
jeff.goldhorn@esc20.net
(210) 370-5490

Multi-Cultural Education

Training and technical assistance are available to assist districts in increasing awareness of diversity issues that may affect a student's performance in the educational setting. Support is designed to address cultural, socioeconomic, gender, linguistic and instructional differences.

Diane Najera
Educational Specialist 
diane.najera@esc20.net
(210) 370-5455

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Implementation of NCLB guidelines and mandates

• Evaluation of NCLB program effectiveness

For additional information, please contact your NCLB Program contacts:

Optional Extended Year

Technical assistance is available to school districts planning and implementing optional extended-year programs.

Ed Vara
Component Director 
ed.vara@esc20.net
(210) 370-5465

Paraprofessional Support

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Programs to support paraprofessionals in meeting the Highly Qualified requirements of NCLB
• Effective Instructional strategies that support classroom learning

For additional information, please contact your paraprofessional support contacts:

Planning for and Renewing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

ESC-20 provides technical assistance and staff development tools that school districts may use either to develop or renew curriculum. Center staff work with district personnel, at all levels, to tailor a systemic plan to meet the particular needs of the district.

The plan includes:

• A process to coordinate and consider state education requirements
• Assessment (including TAKS, SDAA, RPTE)
• National and local goals
• Student learning
• Best practices for instruction
  

Models for curriculum design and renewal include, but are not limited to, frontloading and backloading.
(Fee for service)

Jeff Goldhorn
Curriculum Coordinator 
jeff.goldhorn@esc20.net
(210) 370-5490

Resource Guide (successor of Bulletin 679)

Region 20 staff provides guidance and responds to questions regarding the Texas Education Agency Financial Accountability System Resource Guide. The Resource Guide covers the areas of Financial Accounting and Reporting, Budgeting, Purchasing, Auditing, Data Collection and Reporting, Management, Accountability, and Site-Based Decision-Making.

Paul Neuhoff
Coordinator 
paul.neuhoff@esc20.net
(210) 370-5235

School Board Training

ESC-20 provides school board training based on the State Framework for School Board Development. The elements of the service include the state-required training for new board members, experienced board members, and board presidents. Sessions are offered at the Service Center, at cluster sites in the field, via teleconference, or may be arranged for individual districts.
(Fee for service)

Ernesto Tijerina
Senior Field Service Agent
ernesto.tijerina@esc20.net
(210) 370-5606

School Improvement

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Evaluating effectiveness of the overall school program
• Performance Based Monitoring
• State Accountability Standards
• Campus Planning

For additional information, please contact your school improvement contacts:

Site-Based Decision Making (SBDM)

ESC-20 offers training and follow-up technical assistance to campuses and districts on the roles and responsibilities of Site-Based Decision Making, as defined by Senate Bill 1.

Mayra de Hoyos
Administrative Specialist
mayra.dehoyos@esc20.net
(210) 370-5467

State Compensatory Education

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to participating districts in the areas of:

• State Compensatory Education program implementation and evaluation
• Performance Based Monitoring
• State Accountability Performance Measures

For additional information, please contact your State Compensatory Education Program contacts:

Strategic Planning

ESC-20 offers a series of Strategic Planning sessions to assist districts with the development of beliefs and a mission statement. District and campus Site-Based Decision Making committees are guided in the development of goals, objectives, strategies, and action plans that impact student achievement. Planning, facilitation, and follow-up assistance are provided.
(Fee for service)

Rick Alvarado
Associate Director 
rick.alvarado@esc20.net
(210) 370-5603

Student Assessment Administration

Technical assistance, training, and support are provided to the District Testing Coordinators and other district personnel requiring service in the area of administering TAKS, Norm-Referenced testing, and the Language Proficiency Assessment.

Steve Peterson
Coordinator 
steve.peterson@esc20.net
(210) 370-5420

Teacher Appraiser Certification

The Instructional Leadership Development (ILD) program offered at ESC-20 is based on the state training model for certification of Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS)* appraisers. The focus is on curriculum, instruction, assessment, supervision, decision-making, organizational management, evaluation, community partnerships, and professional development. ILD is a prerequisite for PDAS training.
(Fee for service)

* PDAS is the state training model for certification of PDAS appraisers. The training is an in-depth study of the PDAS domains and criteria, and covers the content and process for the Commissioner's recommended system.

Mayra de Hoyos
Administrative Specialist
mayra.dehoyos@esc20.net
(210) 370-5467

Teacher of the Year

ESC-20 works with Southwestern Bell Communications (SBC) to select and celebrate the elementary and secondary Teacher of the Year in Region 20. A panel is identified to screen and make the selections. Teachers of the Year are recognized at an annual luncheon sponsored by SBC.

Debby Hewitt
Coordinator 
debby.hewitt@esc20.net
(210) 370-5610

Technology Planning Support

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are standards developed at the state level which identify what students should know and be able to do in specific curricular areas. ESC-20 offers staff development and technical assistance in the implementation and alignment of the TEKS (in the Foundation Curriculum and specific areas of the Enrichment Curriculum [e.g., Technology Applications] and their relationship to TAKS, SDAA, and RPTE.
(Fee for service)

For information, please refer to the staff development catalog (online at www.esc20.net/workshop.htm) or contact the ESC-20 staff listed below.

Ed Vara
Component Director
ed.vara@esc20.net 
(210) 370-5465

Jeff Goldhorn
Curriculum Coordinator 
jeff.goldhorn@esc20.net
(210) 370-5490

Texas Reading First

School districts and charter schools may receiving federal funding in support of building effective reading programs based on program criteria. Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts/charter schools in the areas of:

• Reading First Application
• Understanding Reading First Reports
• Providing guidance and support in completing Reading First evaluations

For additional information, please contact your Reading First contacts:

iTEKSTAR: Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning Software

This curriculum development and instructional management tool for Texas educators was developed by a consortium of education service centers. It is a diversified, relational database which enables educators to develop and disseminate TEKS-based curriculum. It currently includes over 800 sample lessons and allows educators to add their own lessons and distribute enhancements. Training and technical assistance are provided when the district purchases iTEKSTAR.
(Fee for service)

Steve Peterson
Coordinator
steve.peterson@esc20.net
(210) 370-5420

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)

The Center provides technical assistance and related staff development in support of TAKS. Services involve facilitating an understanding of the objectives and corresponding connections to TEKS.

Ed Vara
Component Director 
ed.vara@esc20.net
(210) 370-5465

For a user-friendly way to manage and analyze TAKS, EOC, and benchmark test data see AEIS-IT: TAKS & EOC Data Disaggregation & Test Scoring Software.

Title I Non-Public School Cooperative 
(for Bexar County)

The Title I Non-Public School Cooperative provides liaison services for Bexar County school districts and the private schools located in San Antonio. The service includes assistance in determining and documenting eligibility of Title I students, refining and enhancing program design, allocating and accounting for funds, and reporting to districts and the Texas Education Agency.
(Fee for service)

Rose Andrews
Educational Specialist 
rose.andrews@esc20.net
(210) 370-5410