Texas Education Agency to fund online program supporting schools, parents in 2020-21

Officials with the Texas Education Agency announced July 30 a new initiative called Texas Home Learning 3.0, providing instructional materials, technology solutions and professional development resources for use during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

As part of the new endeavor, the TEA will offer all school systems statewide optional access to a learning management system from Schoology at no cost for two years. More than 1 million students across Texas schools are already using the Schoology virtual learning network, officials said in a press release.

The learning management system can help save teachers and staff time by serving as an online hub for content and communication, according to officials. Teachers, students, parents and administrators can access classes, assignments and grades through the system whether learning from the classroom or elsewhere.

TEA officials said they will use Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding to provide this software, saving school systems up to $40 million from their budgets over the next two years.

“TEA is working to provide as much support to school systems as possible, including fully funding schools for remote instruction and providing schools with free, high-end teaching technology so that the remote education experience is effective for our students,” Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement. “This learning management system allows teachers to seamlessly communicate with their students and helps their students stay focused on their lessons while learning from home and will go a long way toward ensuring Texas students continue making major academic gains even during the pandemic.”