2015 Write for Texas Summer Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where and when will the Write for Texas Summer Institute be held?
The 2015 Write for Texas Summer Institute will be held at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin (map)
on June 22-23 and continuing to June 24 for State Writing Coaches.
Q: Who can attend the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
The Institute will be open to State Writing Coaches from Education Service Centers (ESCs) and National
Writing Project (NWP) of Texas sites, other ESC specialists, and representatives from the Texas Literacy
Initiative (TLI) and the 50 largest districts. In addition, teachers served by Write for Texas State Writing
Coaches may be invited.
Q: Is there a registration fee for the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
No, there is no registration fee. However, participating organizations are only able to register a limited
number of participants. Please be sure to approve registration with your Write for Texas grant liaison.
Q: How will I be notified that registration is open for the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
Eligible participants will receive an email invitation to attend and/or invite individuals affiliated with
their organization to attend.
Q: When will registration open for the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
The tentative date for opening registration for the Write for Texas Summer Institute is set for Monday,
April 27, 2015.
Q: How should I select my role when registering?
It is important to select the registrant role closest to how you were invited to attend the Write for Texas
Summer Institute. Registrants will be able to choose from the following Roles.
 District Participant - e.g., representative from one of the 50 largest districts in Texas (Aldine ISD,
Austin ISD, etc.), a representative from a TLI District, a district representative invited by an ESC
or University/NWP Site
 Education Service Center Representative
 Education Service Center State Writing Coach
 National Writing Project State Writing Coach
 Staff from IPSI, VGC, or UTH who work with the Texas Literacy Initiative
 Meadows Center for Prevention of Educational Risk (MCPER) staff member
 Texas Education Agency staff member
 Other
Registrants that are unsure or need clarification of their registration role and how they were invited
should contact their Write for Texas grant liaison or email [email protected] for help.
Q: Will I need to know how I was invited to attend the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
District Participants will be required to select one of the following choices to indicate how they were
invited to attend the Institute.
 Invited as a participant representing one of the 50 largest districts
 Invited by an ESC
 Invited by a University/NWP Site
 Invited as a TLI representative
 Unsure
Registrants that are unsure or need clarification of their registration role and how they were invited
should contact their Write for Texas grant liaison or email [email protected] for help.
Q: How can someone attend the Write for Texas Summer Institute in my place?
Substitutions are handled through the event registration management system. To substitute a new
attendee, go to the registration site, and navigate to the appropriate event. Choose the “I have already
registered and want to edit my registration” option and click Continue. Login with your email address
and password. Once you have logged-in, change your information to that of your replacement and
continue through the registration process. Once you click “Confirm” your replacement will receive a
confirmation email. We strongly recommend that you create a generic password and share it with your
replacement.
Q: How do I cancel my registration?
To cancel your registration, email [email protected] with the first and last name and email address
of the person to be removed from registration.
Q: Where can I find the agenda?
You can download an agenda from the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) website on the event
page starting April 27, 2015.
Q: When is event check-in and onsite registration?
Event check-in and onsite registration will occur from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on June 22, 2015.
Q: How will attendance be recorded?
Your name badge will include a bar code that will allow you to electronically sign in and out. We will use
this information to record your attendance during each session. CPE Certificate hours will be based on
the number of Institute hours for which you have electronically signed in and out.
Q: How will Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs) be determined and provided?
Electronic sign-in and sign-out will record your attendance. After the Write for Texas Summer Institute,
participants will receive a certificate with the appropriate number of CPE credits via email. The
maximum number of CPE credits a participant can receive for the Write for Texas Summer Institute will
be nine (9). Coaches staying through Day 3 are eligible for a maximum number of twelve (12) CPE
credits.
Q: How and by when should I make my hotel reservation?
Please refer to the invitation email you received for directions and deadlines for making hotel
reservations at the host hotel. Registrants must use the unique hotel link in the invitation email to make
reservations at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Rooms are limited and will be reserved on a first come first
served basis. Please DO NOT call the hotel to make reservations.
If space is no longer available at the host hotel, please make accommodations at another hotel nearby
that will provide a room at the state government rate of $126/night. Please refer to the overflow hotel
information located on the IPSI website.
Q: How do I cancel my hotel reservation?
Attendees are responsible for coordinating their own hotel reservations. Room cancellations at the host
hotel must be made before 4:00 p.m. two (2) days prior to your scheduled arrival. Cancellations after
this time will result in applicable room rate and tax being charged to the credit card on file.
Q: What is the hotel checkout time and where can I store my luggage during the Write for Texas
Summer Institute?
Checkout at the Renaissance Austin Hotel is 11:00 a.m. In order to conform to fire codes, luggage may
not be stored in meeting rooms. You may check luggage at the hotel bell stand during the Institute.
Q: Where do I park during the Write for Texas Summer Institute?
Complimentary self-parking is available in front of the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Valet parking is $16.00
per day, per vehicle and overnight at the rate of $20.00 per vehicle (may not be reimbursed).
Q: What other transportation options are available?
The Renaissance Austin Hotel recommends the following transportation options from Austin-Bergstrom
International Airport (AUS).
Shuttle Option
Super Shuttle
800-258-3826, Reservation Required
Estimated Fee: $20, one way
Taxi
Taxis are available outside the arrival terminal.
Estimated Fee: $45, one way
Q: What additional information might I need to know?
 Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes. In the event that you need a wheelchair, one will be
provided at the Help Desk.
 Please dress in layers as some rooms may be hot while others may be cold.
Q: How do I access the Write for Texas Summer Institute participant materials?
At the conclusion of the 2015 Write for Texas Summer Institute, you may access all participant materials
through the Write for Texas website using the following link: www.writefortexas.org.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Write for Texas Summer Institute, please contact
[email protected].