2015 Texas Literacy Initiative (TLI) Institutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where and when will the Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes be held?
The Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes will be held at the Westin Galleria in Houston (map) on June 29July 1, 2015, and at the Omni in Fort Worth (map) on July 14-16, 2015. Each Institute will deliver the
same content.
Q: Who can attend the Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes?
Teachers, literacy specialists/coaches, administrators/directors, and Grant Implementation Team
representatives of TLI-funded districts are able to attend the 2015 Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes.
Q: Am I able to attend a Texas Literacy Initiative Institute if I am not associated with an approved
grantee Texas Literacy Initiative Literacy Line?
At this time, we are not accepting registrants other than those currently identified as a Texas Literacy
Initiative grantee. Educational Service Centers are welcome to attend free of charge.
Q: Do all participants from a Literacy Line need to attend the same TLI Institute?
Participants from a district Literacy Line are not required to attend the same Institute. However, to
encourage collaboration, sharing and processing on a site/campus level, TLI recommends that
site/campus teams attend the same Institute.
Q: Is there a registration fee for the 2015 Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes?
Yes, approved Texas Literacy Initiative grantees pay registration fees for their participants.
Q: How will I be notified that registration is open for the Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes?
An official announcement will be posted on the TLI Grant Implementation Team PLC Group page in
Project Share with more information and links to the registration site. SLLs will also be in contact with
districts as soon as the Project Share announcement has been made.
Q: When will registration open for the Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes?
The tentative date for opening registration for the Institutes is set for Wednesday, March 25, 2015.
Q: How will schedules be determined?
Registration will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Participants should select the most
relevant age/grade level strand to attend and continue with that strand throughout the Institute.
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Q: How can someone attend the Texas Literacy Initiative 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 TLI@ipsi.utexas.edu with the first and last name and email address of
the person to be removed from registration. PLEASE NOTE, cancellations are not refundable. However,
a substitution for a cancellation will not incur additional cost.
Q: How will I receive a schedule for the strand for which I have registered?
You will receive a personalized schedule during on-site event check-in that will include the time and
location of your scheduled sessions. A help desk will be available to provide replacement schedules if a
participant misplaces this schedule during the Literacy Institute.
Q: Where can I find the agenda?
You can download agendas from the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) website on the event
page starting March 25, 2015.
Q: When is event check-in and onsite registration?
Attendees are encouraged to check-in and pick up materials as early as possible. Event check-in and
onsite registration for the Institute in Houston will occur from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June
28, 2015 and from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015.
Event check-in and onsite registration for the Institute in Fort Worth will occur from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2015 and from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 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. A report will be generated and provided
to your district following the Institutes. CPE Certificate hours will be based on the number of sessions 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 at each session will record your attendance. After the Texas Literacy
Initiative Institutes, participants will receive CPE credits for the appropriate sessions via email. There will
be six sessions: one General Session and four (4) Strand Sessions. The maximum number of CPE credits a
participant can receive for these sessions will be fourteen (14).
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Q: How and by when should I make my hotel reservation?
A confirmation email will be sent to you containing a link to the hotel reservation website once you have
completed registration for the Institute you will be attending. Districts reserving a block of ten (10) or
more rooms for participants should call the appropriate Group Housing Coordinator at the hotel directly
to make reservations before the reservation deadline.
Hotel room rates, contact information, and reservation deadlines.
 Westin Galleria Houston: King Room $121; Queen/Queen Room $199
Group Housing Coordinator: Myra Tang, 713-585-4673, Myra.Tang@Westin.com
Reservation deadline: June 1, 2015

Omni Fort Worth: Single and Double Occupancy $140; Triple and Quadruple Occupancy $160
Group Housing Coordinator: Shannon Fleming, 817-350-4037, sfleming@omnihotels.com
Reservation deadline: June 8, 2015
Q: How do I cancel my hotel reservation?
Attendees are responsible for coordinating their own hotel reservations. Cancellations must be made
before 6:00 p.m. the day 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 should I do if there are no longer rooms available at the hotel where the Institute is held?
Attendees are responsible for coordinating their own hotel reservations. Participants unable to secure a
room at the hotel where the Institute is being held should find another hotel option at the state per
diem rate or lower for that city (Houston $121, Fort Worth $144).
Q: What is the hotel checkout time and where can I store my luggage on the last day of the Institute?
Checkout at the Westin Galleria in Houston is 12:00 p.m. Checkout at the Omni Fort Worth is 11:00 a.m.
Luggage cannot be stored in meeting rooms. A complimentary luggage hold service will be provided to
attendees beginning at 7:00 a.m. on the last day of each Institute.
Q: Where do I park during the Institutes?
Self-parking in the garage adjacent to the Westin Galleria in Houston is free. Valet parking is $31.89 per
vehicle (may not be reimbursed). Parking for oversized vehicles is limited. Vans under 8”2’ in height may
park on a first-come, first-serve basis on the first level of the Orange Garage located on West Alabama
street.
Self-parking is available at the city-operated garage (entrance on 11th street) adjacent to the Omni Fort
Worth for $15.00 per day per vehicle. Present the self-parking ticket upon check-in to attach parking to
your reservation/bill. Daily self-parking does not include in/out privileges. Valet parking is $25 per day
per vehicle and includes in/out privileges (may not be reimbursed).
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Q: What transportation options are available from nearby airports to the Institute host hotel?
The Westin Galleria in Houston has provided information on the following transportation options.
Shuttle
Super Shuttle
Reservation Required, 713-523-8888
Fee from Hobby Airport (HOU): $26 per person, one way
Fee from Bush Intercontinental Airport (HOU): $27 per person, one way
Taxi
Yellow Cab
713-236-1111
Fee: Approximately $65, one way
The Omni Fort Worth has provided information on the following transportation options.
Shuttle
GO Yellow Checker Shuttle
Reservations required, www.yellowcheckershuttle.com or (866) 903-1900
Fee from Dallas Love: $45 first person, +$13 each additional person, one way
Fee from DFW: $19 first person, +$16 each additional person, one way
Super Shuttle
Reservations required, book online www.supershuttle.com or (800) 258-3826
Fee from Dallas Love: $36 first person, +$10 each additional person, one way
Fee from DFW: $17 first person, +$17 each additional person, one way
Taxi
Taxi service to/from DFW Airport: Approximately $55 – 60, one way
Taxi service to/from Love Field: Approximately $75, one way
Car Service
Wynne Sedan & Limousine Group
Reservations required, (972) 915-7300
Train
The Omni is located five blocks from the Amtrak Station
Trinity Railway Express – T&P Station is located two blocks from the hotel
www.trinityrailwayexpress.org
Q: What additional information might I need to know?
 The sessions that you register to attend may be located on opposite ends of the hotel. 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.
 Participants staying at the Westin Galleria in Houston are encouraged to go “green” and reduce
the carbon footprint of our conference. During your stay, housekeeping will not be providing
daily service. If there is anything you need during your stay, such as extra towels or additional
soap or shampoo, please feel free to dial “0” at any time and they will be happy to fulfill your
request.
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Q: How do I access the TLI Institute participant materials?
At the conclusion of the 2015 Texas Literacy Initiative Institutes, you may access all participant materials
through the Institute for Public School Initiatives website using the following link:
http://ipsi.utexas.edu/materials/.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Texas Literacy Initiative Leadership Summit or Institutes, please contact:
TLI@ipsi.utexas.edu
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