LASO Cycle 3

Grant Selection Notices Announced February 20th

See Grant Selection Notices and Next Steps

LASO Cycle 3 Highlights

All-time High Overall Number of Applications Received | 640 LEA applicationsÌýÌý
All-time High Number of Strong Foundations Applications Received | Over 400 applications submittedÌýÌý
All-time High Number of Rural Awards | 178 rural districts awarded

In October 2024, TEA is continuing to offer streamlined, consolidated grant applications, focused on a few grant programs that are bundled and that help accelerate academic gains. The Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) is the next iteration of a universal consolidated application cycle that strategically batches grant funding opportunities that are supporting with continued learning acceleration and innovation opportunities.Ìý

LASO Cycle 3 program grants are focused on three of the five learning acceleration strategies: Curriculum & Instruction, More Time and Innovative School Models.Ìý

Ìý
$160M
in services and supports
11
TEA initiatives to support learning acceleration and innovation
1
LEA program application to access funding
Ìý

Strong Foundations Planning (SFP)

High Level Program Description

Strong Foundations Planning provides direct grant funds to LEAs for technical assistance to develop a strong instructional framework in math or literacy based in the research-based instructional strategies (RBIS) to guide teaching and learning in the LEA.

There was significant demand for Strong Foundations. However, due to available funding and award prioritization criteria, some LEAs will not be awarded at this time. However, please read below for information on additional funding opportunities.

This results in three possible scenarios :

  1. Current Selections: LEAs that we are able to select with the current funding, received a selection notice February 20, 2025.
  2. Potential Immediate Funding Opportunity: We have identified an additional funding source, but it is limited to Title I LEAs with federally School Improvement-designated* engaged campuses. If your LEA is eligible, you will receive a survey early next week to confirm whether you are open to a Strong Foundations Implementation funds and support at specifically your Title I funding eligible campuses. Depending on responses, we may be able to fund some LEAs, but likely not all.
  3. Pending Funding: We have requested additional funds from the legislature, and if approved, we will issue more award notices in June 2025. To stay eligible for this funding, districts will need to proceed with key action steps in implementing Bluebonnet Learning. TEA will share more information about these steps in upcoming communication.

Next Steps: The Strong Foundations team will share more details during the week of February 24, 2025. Superintendents, please watch for this communication, which will outline potential eligibility and next steps.

Resources

Contact Information

strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov

Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI)

High Level Program Description

Strong Foundations Implementation provides direct grant funds to LEAs for technical assistance to support high-fidelity implementation of the Texas open education resource (OER) instructional materials, including high-quality professional learning for teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders/campus administrators, and district leaders on effectively implementing OER.

There was significant demand for Strong Foundations. However, due to available funding and award prioritization criteria, some LEAs will not be awarded at this time. However, please read below for information on additional funding opportunities.

This results in three possible scenarios :

  1. Current Selections: LEAs that we are able to select with the current funding, received a selection notice February 20, 2025.
  2. Potential Immediate Funding Opportunity: We have identified an additional funding source, but it is limited to Title I LEAs with federally School Improvement-designated* engaged campuses. If your LEA is eligible, you will receive a survey early next week to confirm whether you are open to a Strong Foundations Implementation funds and support at specifically your Title I funding eligible campuses. Depending on responses, we may be able to fund some LEAs, but likely not all.
  3. Pending Funding: We have requested additional funds from the legislature, and if approved, we will issue more award notices in June 2025. To stay eligible for this funding, districts will need to proceed with key action steps in implementing Bluebonnet Learning. TEA will share more information about these steps in upcoming communication.

Next Steps: The Strong Foundations team will share more details during the week of February 24, 2025. Superintendents, please watch for this communication, which will outline potential eligibility and next steps.

Resources

Contact Information

strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov

SFI School Improvement PLC Supports (SFI SI PLC)

High Level Program Description

SFI School Improvement PLC Supports provides direct grant funds to LEAs for technical assistance for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to support high-fidelity implementation of the Texas open education resource (OER) instructional materials in Title I and Federally Identified campuses participating in Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI).

Resources

Contact Information

strongfoundations@tea.texas.gov

Instructional Leadership (IL)

High-Level Program Description

The instructional leadership pathway will provide training, implementation support, and one-on-one coaching to campus and district leaders to build their own capacity and that of the educators they manage. Approved providers include all 20 education service centers as well as vetted vendors with a history of strong results working with campuses and districts in Texas.

Resources

Contact Information

sidivision@tea.texas.gov

Technology Lending Grant (TLG)

High Level Program Description

The Technology Lending Grant program awards grant funds to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide students with the equipment necessary to access and use digital instructional materials at school and at home. The equipment purchased through this grant for a local technology lending program becomes the property of the LEA.

Resources

Contact Information

techlending@tea.texas.gov

Blended Learning Grant (BLG)

High Level Program Description

The Blended Learning Grant opportunity has two distinct cohorts and associated purposes that applicants will select from:

  • Blended Learning Planning cohort supports school districts and open-enrollment charter schools through a planning stage to design and subsequently implement a high-quality blended learning model in math (through Math Innovation Zones - MIZ) and reading language arts (RLA) aligned with a High-Quality Instructional Material curriculum (HQIM).
  • Blended Learning Strategic Operations cohort supports school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in leveraging a blended learning model to make a strategic operational shift to scheduling, staffing, and/or budgets to optimize campus staffing models and maximize academic impact.

Resources

Contact Information

blendedlearning@tea.texas.gov

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (APCSP)

High Level Program Description

APCSP is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of computer science fields. Students are introduced to foundational concepts of computer science and challenged to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.

Resources

Contact Information

kay.humes@tea.texas.gov

Additional Days School Year (ADSY) Summer PEP

High Level Program Description

High-quality, evidence-based summer learning programs help to prevent summer slide, i.e., learning loss created by the lack of student engagement in rigorous content between academic school years. Local Education Agency (LEAs) with Prekindergarten through 5th grade campuses are eligible for this grant. This grant provides LEAs with a supported planning process to design and implement a summer program aligned with research-based best practices in academics, operations, and enrichment activities.

Resources

Contact Information

ruchamah.belizor@tea.texas.gov

School Action Fund (SAF)

High Level Program Description

School actions are whole-school strategies districts use to increase access to high-quality schools, meet community needs, and address chronic underperformance. School districts receive support to improve schools and provide communities with the schools and programs they want, need, and deserve.

Resources

Contact Information

laura.hyatt@tea.texas.gov

Early College High School (ECHS)

High Level Program Description

The Early College High School (ECHS) program offers campuses an opportunity to plan to build an Early College High School within their district. This program offers opportunities for campuses to provide targeted supports for historically underserved students through rigorous instruction and accelerated postsecondary courses. The program provides academic and wrap-around strategies that help students succeed in college-level coursework at no cost to the students.

Resources

Contact Information

darin.ford@tea.texas.gov

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)

High Level Program Description

The Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program is an open-enrollment initiative that offers campuses an opportunity to plan to build a P-TECH within their district. Designed to support historically underserved and at-risk students, P-TECH schools offer opportunities for students to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously earning industry-based certifications and/or an associate degree on or before the sixth anniversary of a student's first day of high school.

Resources

Contact Information

darin.ford@tea.texas.gov

Additional Information

The following grants are included in LASO Cycle 3 portfolio.ÌýThe information provided here outlines initial estimates and potential awards for LEAs. Please note that these details are subject to further refinement and updates as the grant process progresses.

Curriculum & Instruction

Rigorous, high-quality instructional materials designed to make up ground and master grade level TEKS

More Time

More time for the students in most need, including expanding instructional time in the summer and with targeted tutoring

Innovative School Models

Innovative school models to incorporate all of the learning acceleration framework

Strategy Grant Estimated Funding Source of Funds Tentative Award Range Tentative Number of Awards
Curriculum & Instruction Strong Foundations Planning $24M Rider 76 (SF)
Rider 94 (HB 1605)
$120KÌýto $320K 100 - 200 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction Strong Foundations Implementation $58M Rider 76 (SF)
Rider 94 (HB 1605)
$200K to $1.61M 100 - 200 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction Strong Foundations Implementation School Improvement PLC Supports Grant $14M Title 1 $75K - $150K per campus 100-180 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction Instructional Leadership
(Includes Product and TIL Supports)
$41M Title 1 $50K - $215K per campus Up to 200 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction Technology Lending $5M Rider 8 Up to $225K 50-100 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction Blended Learning $6M Rider 68 Planning - up to $275K​
Strategic Operations- up to $370K​
10-14 LEAs
Curriculum & Instruction AP Computer Science Principles $1.292M Rider 74 Up to $100K Up to 130 LEAs
More Time Additional Days School Year PEP Summer $791K Rider 39 Up to $125K 6-10 LEAs
Innovative School Models School Action Fund
(with Additional Days School Year Full Year Redesign)
$8M Title 1 $185K - $375K (per campus) Up to 36 campuses
Innovative School Models Early College High School $800K Rider 58 Up to $80K 10 LEAs
Innovative School Models Pathways in Technology Early College High SchoolÌý $1M Rider 58 Up to $100K 10 LEAs
  • General Webinar | October 1, 2024 and October 3, 2024
  • Application Window | October 14, 2024 - December 13, 2024, 5:00 pmÌýCT
  • Program Webinar Window | October 17, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • Office Hours Window |ÌýNovember 4, 2024 - November 8, 2024
  • Tentative Award Announcement | February 20, 2025
  • eGrants Application | February 20, 2025 - March 24, 2025
  • Notice of Grant Award | March 24, 2025 - May 24, 2025
Program Date and Time
General Webinar
  • October 1, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM (Option 1)
  • October 3, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM (Option 2)
  • November 4, 2024 | 9:00 - 9:30 AM (Office Hours)
  • November 8, 2024 | 2:00 - 2:30 PM (Application Technical Assistance Office Hours)
Strong Foundations Planning
  • October 18, 2024 | 11:00 - 11:45 AM (Webinar Option 1)
  • October 22, 2024 | 11:00 - 11:45 AM (Option 2)
  • November 8, 2024 | 8:00 - 8:30 AM (Office Hours)
Strong Foundations Implementation +
SFI School Improvement PLC Supports Grant
  • October 18, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:45 PM (Option 1)
  • October 22, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:45 PM (Option 2)
  • November 8, 2024 | 9:00 - 9:30 AM (Office Hours)
Instructional Leadership
(Includes Product and TIL Supports)
  • October 17, 2024 | 12:00 - 12:45 PM (Option 1)
  • October 18, 2024 | 3:00 - 3:45 AM (Option 2)
  • November 6, 2024 | 11:00 - 11:30 AM (Office Hours)
Technology Lending Grant
  • October 22, 2024 | 9:00 - 9:45 AM (Option 1)
  • October 25, 2024 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM (Option 2)
  • November 8, 2024 | 10:00Ìý- 10:30 AM (Office Hours)
Blended Learning Grant
  • October 22, 2024 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM (Option 1)
  • October 23, 2024 | 11:00 - 11:45 PM (Option 2)
  • November 6, 2024 | 1:00 - 1:30 PM (Office Hours)
Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
  • October 17, 2024 | 9:00 - 9:45 AM (Option 1)
  • October 17, 2024 | 11:00 - 11:45 AM (Option 2)
  • November 8, 2024 | 12:00Ìý- 12:30 AM (Office Hours)
Additional Days School Year Summer PEP
  • October 21, 2024 | 1:00 - 1:45 PM (Option 1)
  • October 22, 2024 | 2:30 - 3:15 PM (Option 2)
  • November 8, 2024 | 1:00 - 1:30 PM (Office Hours)

School Action Fund
(with ADSY Full Year Redesign)
  • October 18, 2024 | 8:45 - 9:45 AM (Option 1)
  • October 24, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Option 2)
  • October 28, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Restart Action Webinar)
  • October 29, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Reassign Action Webinar)
  • October 30, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Redesign Action Webinar)
  • October 31, 2024 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM (Create New Action Webinar)
  • November 4, 2024 | 11:00 AMÌý- 12:00 PM (Office Hours)
Early College High School
  • October 17, 2024 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM (Option 1)
  • October 18, 2024 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM (Option 2)
  • November 7, 2024 | 10:00Ìý- 10:30 AM (Office Hours)
Pathway in Technology Early College High School
  • October 17, 2024 | 2:00 - 2:45 PM (Option 1)
  • October 18, 2024 | 2:00 - 2:45 PM (Option 2)
  • November 7, 2024 | 2:00Ìý- 2:30 PM (Office Hours)
Technical Assistance
  • November 4, 2024 | 9:00Ìý- 9:30 AM (Office Hours)
  • November 8, 2024 | 2:00Ìý- 3:00 PM (Office Hours)
Month Information to be Released LEA Recommended Actions
August 2024
  • Review the grant portfolio and timelines
  • Register for the webinars
  • Review Best Fit guidance for criteria that meets LEAs needs
September 2024
  • Review the grant one-pagers to align with LEA needs
  • Review FAQs for better understanding
  • Review Eligibility and Prioritization guidance
October 2024
  • Attend the general webinar
  • Start the application
  • Attend the program specific webinars
November 2024
  • Continue completing the application
  • Review the FAQ as needed
  • Sign up for office hours for assistance
December 2024
  • Application closes
  • Submit the application
January 2025
  • Interviews (if applicable)
  • Attend the interviews (if requested)
February 2025
  • Award Announcement
  • eGrants application opens
  • Review the award letter (if awarded)
  • Complete the budget in eGrants application
March 2025
  • Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) released
  • Review the NOGA and begin implementation and drawdowns
Title Description

General Overview

The Overview Deck contains information on key components of this cycle, application timeline, and key resources available.ÌýThe FAQ contains all the questions submitted so far to support deeper understanding of what LASO Cycle 3 has to offer.ÌýRevised December 6, 2024.
Grant-Specific One PagersÌý(PDF) Preliminary grant information such as program descriptions and commitments, eligibility, timelines, and funding. Revised November 15, 2024.
Grant Best Fit GuidanceÌý(PDF) Provides criteria to help ESCs determine if a grant fits LEAs needs.
Eligibility and Prioritization GuidanceÌý(PDF) Eligibility and Prioritization Guidance helps LEAs determine ability to be awarded.
State Approved Provider ListÌý(Web) OER and Instructional Leadership Pathways.

ESC Toolkit

Use the Office Hours slide deck to learnÌýabout the grants offerings ahead of the LEAÌýwebinars. The ESCs Served List is a reference to identify the ESC serving your LEA. The FAQ will support deeper understanding of LASO Cycle 3.