All non-ESC applicants must demonstrate the capacity to offer four comprehensive and eight blended cohorts. However, if a non-ESC applicant is unable to demonstrate the noted capacity, the non-ESC could explore other options, which might include offering cohorts outside of the district.

Authorized Providers would be required to cover additional out-of-pocket costs such as printing selected resources and materials housed within the Reading Academies learning management system.

All Authorized Providers are required to send representatives to the TEA Authorized Provider training on March 2-4, 2020, in Austin. Authorized Providers can send up to four staff members to the training. It is strongly encouraged to send the project/grant lead. This training will be for Authorized Providers only and will not be open to non-selected entities.

To be approved as an Authorized Provider, a non-ESC entity must agree to:

• Provide and facilitate HB 3 Reading Academies, including registration, logistical support, and technical assistance. 
• Follow and implement HB 3 Reading Academies content as designed by TEA.
• Ensure all cohort leaders pass the mandatory hiring screening assessment before leading sessions.
• Attend mandatory training as determined by TEA.
• Coordinate and fund travel for all cohort leaders.
• Conduct program evaluations as determined by TEA.
• Communicate and respond to TEA information requests.
• Conduct outreach to publicize HB 3 Reading Academies.
• Non-ESC entities must demonstrate the capacity to offer four comprehensive and eight blended cohorts.

Technical assistance includes logistical support (e.g., Canvas troubleshooting, registration, artifact submission) for ESCs and districts that have entered into a memorandum of understanding/contact with the Authorized Provider. 

Authorized Providers hold a variety of responsibilities depending on the type of contact they enter into with a district. Generally, an Authorized Provider can anticipate the undertaking of the following responsibilities.

• Authorized Provider Hosted Blended/Comprehensive Model: Authorized Providers are responsible for facilitating all aspects of the Texas Reading Academies, including registration, logistical support, and technical assistance. Responsibilities also include hiring screened cohort leaders, coordinating travel for cohort leaders and ensuring their participation in TEA required training, In addition, Authorized Providers conduct program evaluations, respond to TEA information requests, and conduct outreach to market the Texas Reading Academies.
• Local Implementation Model: Authorized Providers support registration, as well as provide logistical support and technical assistance. While the Authorized Provider is not responsible for hiring or managing cohort leaders, the Authorized Provider is responsible for ensuring that all cohort leaders have passed the screening assessment and for coordinating and paying for all travel for cohort leaders. Authorized Providers manage program evaluations, relay TEA communications to cohort leaders and participants, and marketing outreach programs.

A: The 2019 - 2021 HB 3 Reading Academies Authorized Provider Request for Application (RFA) was made available on the TEA Grants Opportunities page.

There is also information on TEA's Reading Practices page.

Note: The application deadline to become an Authorized Provider passed in January 2020.

A: Yes - Authorized Provider training is scheduled for March 2-4, 2020, in Austin. More information about the training and registration will be forthcoming from TEA. ESCs can send up to four people and are encouraged to send their project/grant lead for the HB 3 Reading Academies.