According to the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) website, ESCs were established in 1967 by the state’s Legislature to improve student performance, help schools operate more efficiently and implement TEA and legislative initiatives. There are 20 regional ESCs, mostly funded through grants, state and federal funds and contracts with school districts.
The ESCs in Region 3, headquartered in Victoria, and Region 10, headquartered in Richardson, are now seeking new tech. The purchasing consortium for Region 3 plans to issue a solicitation for identity theft protection technology, IT device repair and data summary software during this year’s second quarter.
Region 10, on the other hand, has formally issued four request for proposals (RFP) for several pieces of software.
First is a request for career and technical development software. According to the RFP, the software will specifically target career and technical education for students and teachers; professional development for teachers and administrators; industry-based certification training for industries; SAT and ACT test preparation for students and other college readiness solutions; and career navigation and financial literacy curriculum.
Following that is a request for early childhood software. According to the RFP, this category includes software for pre-kindergarten through third grade students. Focus areas include improving early childhood foundations and outcomes in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and general cognitive function or in more specific subjects such as math and language skills.
After that, Region 10 submitted a request for analytics and assessment software. According to the RFP, the software can create and administer tests, quizzes and surveys; track student progress and teacher lesson plans; form data analysis and visualizations; and create reports.
Lastly, the ESC requested special education software. According to the RFP, the software should enhance the learning experience of children who fall under specific categories listed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including students with autism spectrum disorder, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, deafness, orthopedic impairments, etc.
More information about these RFPs can be found online. The due date to submit information for vendors is May 11.
