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
in services and supports
TEA initiatives to support learning acceleration and innovation
LEA program application to access funding
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 :
- Current Selections: LEAs that we are able to select with the current funding, received a selection notice February 20, 2025.
- 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.
- 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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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 :
- Current Selections: LEAs that we are able to select with the current funding, received a selection notice February 20, 2025.
- 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.
- 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
- Program GuidelinesÌý(PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 11/20/24)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Eligibility List (Website)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 03/11/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Eligibility List (Website)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- WebinarÌýDeck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 11/20/24)
- Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Restart Action Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Reassign Action Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Redesign Action Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Create New Action Webinar Deck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Eligibility List (Website)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- WebinarÌýDeck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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
- Program Guidelines (PDF, Revised 2/12/25)
- WebinarÌýDeck (PDF)
- (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- State Approved Provider List (Website)
Contact Information
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Strong Foundations Planning | $24M | Rider 76 (SF) Rider 94 (HB 1605) |
$120KÌýto $320K | 100 - 200 LEAs |
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Strong Foundations Implementation | $58M | Rider 76 (SF) Rider 94 (HB 1605) |
$200K to $1.61M | 100 - 200 LEAs |
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Strong Foundations Implementation School Improvement PLC Supports Grant | $14M | Title 1 | $75K - $150K per campus | 100-180 LEAs |
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Instructional Leadership (Includes Product and TIL Supports) |
$41M | Title 1 | $50K - $215K per campus | Up to 200 LEAs |
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Technology Lending | $5M | Rider 8 | Up to $225K | 50-100 LEAs |
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Blended Learning | $6M | Rider 68 | Planning - up to $275K​ Strategic Operations- up to $370K​ |
10-14 LEAs |
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AP Computer Science Principles | $1.292M | Rider 74 | Up to $100K | Up to 130 LEAs |
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Additional Days School Year PEP Summer | $791K | Rider 39 | Up to $125K | 6-10 LEAs |
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School Action Fund (with Additional Days School Year Full Year Redesign) |
$8M | Title 1 | $185K - $375K (per campus) | Up to 36 campuses |
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Early College High School | $800K | Rider 58 | Up to $80K | 10 LEAs |
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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 |
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Strong Foundations Planning |
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Strong Foundations Implementation + SFI School Improvement PLC Supports Grant |
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Instructional Leadership (Includes Product and TIL Supports) |
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Technology Lending Grant |
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Blended Learning Grant |
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Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles |
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Additional Days School Year Summer PEP |
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School Action Fund (with ADSY Full Year Redesign) |
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Early College High School |
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Pathway in Technology Early College High School |
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Technical Assistance |
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Month | Information to be Released | LEA Recommended Actions |
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August 2024 |
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September 2024 |
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October 2024 |
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November 2024 |
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December 2024 |
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January 2025 |
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February 2025 |
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March 2025 |
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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. |