Welcome
The Region 2 Education Service Center's mission is to be a catalyst for change resulting in student improvement and efficiency and economy of operation. We promote educational excellence for all students throughout our region and state. Every district within the region is provided both instructional and non-instructional assistance. State and local initiatives are promoted and implemented within the region. The primary focus of our organization is student achievement, and we impact student achievement by offering relevant professional development for teachers, administrators, school board members, parents, and other clientele.
Our History
In 1967 the Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education established twenty Education Service Centers throughout the state. Initially the service centers were established to provide media services and limited instruction-related training for teachers. The ESC-2 has evolved over time and has embraced many new responsibilities, in the areas of professional development, certification, cooperative purchasing, telecommunications, computer services, and other technology related areas to meet the increasing needs of Texas Coastal Bend schools.
FAQ
To view an audiovisual presentation about ESC-2, please click here (21114.72KB Windows Media File).
What is the Education Service Center?
The Education Service Center is a non-profit service organization created to provide services to schools. There are twenty service centers in Texas, each serving schools in a specific region.
What is the mission of the Education Service Center?
The Region 2 Education Service Center's mission is to be a catalyst for change resulting in student improvement and efficiency and economy of operation. We promote educational excellence for all students throughout our region and state. Every district within the region is provided both instructional and non-instructional assistance. State and local initiatives are promoted and implemented within the region. The primary focus of our organization is student achievement, and we impact student achievement by offering relevant professional development for teachers, administrators, school board members, parents, and other clientele.
What is the history of the ESC-2?
In 1967 the Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education established twenty Education Service Centers throughout the state. Initially the service centers were established to provide media services and limited instruction-related training for teachers. The ESC-2 has evolved over time and has embraced many new responsibilities, in the areas of professional development, certification, cooperative purchasing, telecommunications, computer services, and other technology related areas to meet the increasing needs of Texas Coastal Bend schools.
What services are available to schools?
The ESC-2 offers over eighty-five specific programs to assist school districts in improving student performance, operating more efficiently and economically, and providing professional development for teachers and administrators. While the primary focus of the Region 2 Education Service Center is student achievement by offering relevant professional development for teachers, administrators, school board members, parents, and other clientele, ESC-2 Centers also assist schools in other key functions, such as:
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Assisting in implementation of state and regional initiative Providing Internet services and developing a wide area network
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Assisting regional districts in obtaining grants
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Providing a purchasing coop to assist districts in purchasing issues for the day-to-day operations of a school
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Assisting with compliance issues in all federal programs and serve as a fiscal agent in a shared service agreement with some of the regional districts
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Providing finance training to school personnel
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Providing support for data analysis, research development, evaluation, and dissemination of information to improve educational quality and effectiveness
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Providing data processing services for regional districts
Are services available to the public?
While the ESC-2's priority is to service the school districts, professional development workshops and training are also open to the public for a fee based on availability. Organizations can also enter into a cooperative program where contracted days can be purchased at a discounted rate for consultant services, staff development, and technical assistance. Meeting facilities are also available for rental to outside companies and organizations for a fee.
Where can I find information regarding ESC-2 professional development and workshops?
You can visit the ESC-2 Web site at https://secure.esc2.net/ for information about a specific workshop or to download the workshop book; or you can call us at (361) 561-8400.
Does the ESC-2 offer an alternative certification program for teachers?
The Educator Preparation and Certification Program (EPCP) provides for the certification of individuals who meet program admission requirements, which would include training and a paid internship in a public school, to earn a Texas Standard, (all level) Generic Special Education Certificate or a Secondary ( in specific content areas) Certificate. For more information, visit our website: <http://www.epcp.esc2.net/>.
Does the ESC-2 offer an alternative certification program for principals?
The PEL program provides for the certification of individuals who meet admission requirements. PEL participants complete a combination of training sessions and project-based activities over a two-year period. Upon completion of all program requirements, participants will be eligible for a Texas Standard Principal Certificate.
For entry requirements, information and/or an application packet, visit our website: <http://www.pel.esc2.net/>.
How does the ESC's cooperative purchasing program work?
The ESC is part of a Multi-Regional Purchasing Cooperative, an administrative agency created in accordance with Section 791.001 of the Texas Government Code. The purpose of the Cooperative is to obtain the benefits and efficiencies that can accrue to Cooperative members in a concerted effort to comply with state bidding requirements and identification of qualified vendors of commodities, goods, and services.
Simply put, schools or districts participating in the cooperative supply the ESC with a list of items needed for the year. The ESC in turn handles the bid process and secures discounted volume pricing. For additional information regarding the purchasing cooperative, please visit us at <http://purchase.esc2.net/>
What are the ESC-2's hours of operation?
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Closed on weekends and holidays.
Education Service Centers do not possess tax levying or bonding authority. Service centers receive monies from federal, state, and local sources. State funds provide approximately 11%; federal funds provide 39%; contracts with school districts comprise 50%. Monies are also generated through grants and service contracts.
A seven-member lay board governs Service centers. To stand for election to the ESC board of directors, the candidate must be an U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age and reside in the region. School board trustees of each school district in the ESC region elect board members.
ESCs are not regulatory agencies. The purpose of the ESC is to assists districts in improving student performance. School participation in ESC services is voluntary.
Is the ESC-2 a part of Corpus Christi Independent School Districts?
Many times people are confused about the ESC-2's relationship with CCISD. Although the ESC-2 is located in Corpus Christi and provides services to CCISD, they are two separate entities. CCISD is simply one of the larger of the 42 school districts that ESC-2 serves.
How was funding for recent renovations and building updates acquired?
The badly needed renovations and building updates to our facilities at 209 N. Water Street were funded through a bank note that the Education Service Center, Region 2 was able to secure. The cosmetic changes in our building allow us to provide much more comfortable, technologically advanced, and expansive space to service our school districts. At the same time, when our meeting rooms are not being utilized to service schools, outside organizations can rent space within our facilities.