RECESS (Regional Early Childhood Support Specialist) is a grant awarded to Region 9 through Texas Education Agency in partnership with Texas Workforce Commission. The overall goal of the grant is to improve outcomes for early learners. Region 9 received grants for Teacher-Student Interactions (Initiative 2) and Public Private Parterships (Initiative 3).
The Teacher-Student Interactions grant provides support to selected prekindergarten teachers in Wichita Falls ISD, Graham ISD, Wichita Christian School and Sheppard Air Force Base Child Development Center. Midwestern State University is also partnering to support Classroom Assessment Scoring System trained observers as well as data review to monitor the success of the initiative. Grant participants will receive support through instructional coaching online and face to face professional development. Progress will be monitored through CLASS observations.
Public Private Partnerships will be created across the Region 9 service area to bring high quality early childhood instruction. Collaboration between public school districts and community agencies will provide high quality education to our earliest learners. Community agreements will support children and families through wrap around services.