 83rd Legislature Convenes on Tuesday, January 8th
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Court case likely to delay major education reforms by Texas Legislature
By Will Weissert
December 19, 2012
AUSTIN -- There should be no shortage of school finance fights in the Texas Legislature this session, with key Republicans pushing for expanding school vouchers and Democrats clamoring to restore some of the $5.4 billion in cuts to public education passed in 2011. Efforts to ease the state's tough and getting tougher academic accountability standards, meanwhile, may draw support from portions of both camps. "We know funding levels aren't adequate. We also know that we have a distribution problem," said state Rep. Mark Strama, an Austin Democrat. "So knowing we have a problem, it would be better to address it now rather than later. But we won't." Read the article.
Texas lawmakers set a slower bill-filing pace
Texas legislators and legislators-elect shouldn't be described as having been lazy in the period leading up to their formal session that begins Jan. 8, but they are running decidedly behind where they were two years ago in pre-filing bills. House and Senate members have filed 445 bills so far for the 83rd Legislature, whereas at this point before the 82nd session they had filed 752. That said, there are some interesting bills in the current pre-filed pile. Setting aside the cynical judgment that fewer proposals for new or remodeled laws is a good thing, there's another reason not to worry about the slower pace. Lawmakers pre-file bills for a number of reasons, which may include getting a little attention or symbolically re-filing a pet bill that everyone knows will never see the light of day. Read the editorial.
 Expected surplus won't lessen 2013 Texas budget fight
By Paul J. Weber; January 1, 2013
AUSTIN - Shortfall and sacrifice: that's how the Texas Legislature two years ago defended gutting $5.4 billion from public education, laying off thousands of public workers with slashed spending and stripping Medicaid to the bone. The new budget s-word this time around? Surplus. But when lawmakers next week begin the 83rd legislative session with a potentially record amount of unspent revenue - more than $8 billion, according to many observers - that money won't last long or go far. "The basic needs look like they can be taken care of," said Dale Craymer, president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association and former state official who has worked in the budget offices of both the governor and comptroller. "It's just going to be a fight for the icing." Read the article.
 Legislature to consider major education reforms
Proposed 'voucher' program receives both support and criticism
By Enrique Rangel; Updated December 20, 2012
AUSTIN - Major changes could be in store for the state's public schools. The leader of the Texas Senate and the chairman of the chamber's Education Committee said Wednesday they will work on major reforms such as creating more charter schools, grading campuses with letters A through F and a tax credit program that would allow students in public schools to study in private institutions. "(The Texas Charter Schools Association) welcomes the call by Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Sen. Patrick for more charter schools in Texas and their commitment to lift the arbitrary cap on charter schools," said TCSA Executive Director David Dunn. "They recognize the strong impact that quality public charter schools have on students and public education across the state, and TCSA looks forward to working with them to accomplish these goals." Read the article.
 School Finance Lawsuits Provide an Out for Lawmakers
By Ross Ramsey; December 24, 2012
While the courts hold a big piece of the state budget hostage, they are also clearing the way for other issues to dominate next year's legislative session. The state is being sued over its financing for public schools. This is a periodic event driven by the cleverness of school administrators and others who, over time, figure out how to make the most of financing formulas. Gradually, the system goes out of balance, and the losers - the school districts that don't get as much money - sue to level things out.The lawsuits now pending in state court - testimony started in October, and the trial will resume next month after a holiday break - put a big chunk of the state budget on hold. Legislators will still budget the money to pay for schools, but they are unlikely to make any big changes until they know the outcome.
Read the article.
82nd Legislature First Called Session
Texas Legislature Online
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 2013 TCSA Membership Drive Starts the New Year Strong
Charter Leaders and CFOs for renewing Association members have begun receiving emails regarding 2013 TCSA Membership. If you were not previously a member of the Association, you should have received a new member packet in the mail during the second week in October. Become a member today!
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 TEA will be holding two TETNs for LEAs regarding the substitute system of time-and-effort reporting:
* January 14, 2012, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
*January 15, 2012, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
LEAs interested in implementing the less-burdensome system of time-and-effort reporting should contact their ESC for TETN registration and location information. For more information, please contact Arturo Serna by phone 512.584.8272 or via email.
Generation 18 Required Applicant Information Session
The required Applicant Information Sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013, and Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Attendance is only required at one of the sessions. At least one member of the governing board of the sponsoring entity requesting the charter must attend one of the required applicant conferences. Although not required, it is recommended that the application preparer also attend an applicant conference.
Applicant Information Session Details required by Request for Application (RFA) 701-13-101, Eighteenth Generation Open-Enrollment Charter Guidelines and Application.
January 8, 2013 OR January 16, 2013
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
William B. Travis Building
Room 1-111
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701
As seen in the Application and Guidelines, on page 5 of the RFA:
Applicant Information Session
At least one member of the governing board of the sponsoring entity requesting the charter must attend an applicant information session. Although not required, it is recommended that the application preparer also attend an applicant information session. The applicant information sessions will occur on January 8 and 16, 2013. Potential applicants need only attend one of the two sessions. More information on the applicant information sessions are available here.
Preregistration is not required for this event. Attendance will be documented the day you attend.
NEW: Deadline for New School Designation Application
This message announces the Friday, January 11, 2013, deadline to apply for New School Designation. This is a special type of expansion amendment that must be accompanied by a Charter Amendment Request Form - Additional Site Expansion. 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §100.1033(c)(6) outlines a process by which high-performing charters can be identified and have the opportunity to not only apply for expansion amendments, but also apply for new school designation.
See amendment.
Being approved for an additional site expansion in 2013-2014 is a prerequisite for a new school designation amendment. Charters with campuses designated by the commissioner as new schools will be able to submit competitive applications for the 2013-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant. New school designation is required for an existing charter holder to be eligible to apply for and receive federal Charter School Program grant funding for a new charter school.
The following documents are posted in the Announcements section of the Charter Schools Homepage
* Application for New School Designation; and
* Charter Amendment Request Form - Additional Site Expansion.
For additional information, contact the Nina Gonzalez in the Charter School Unit by phone at (512) 463-9575 or via email.
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 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Section 1512 Quarterly Reports Due January 5, 2013
The purpose of this letter is to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) of the deadline for ARRA Section 1512 Quarterly Reports for the current reporting period and to provide additional guidance regarding ARRA reporting requirements.
ARRA Section 1512 Quarterly Reports Due January 5, 2013
ARRA Section 1512 Quarterly Reports for the October 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012, reporting period are due from LEAs receiving ARRA funds distributed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the following grant programs:- Education Jobs Fund (Ed Jobs) Grant
- ARRA Title I, School Improvement Grant (SIG) (Texas Title I Priority Schools) as applicable if the grantee's Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) identifies ARRA SIG funding
Read letter here.
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UPDATE: TEA Special Education Policy Deadline Extended
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended the deadline for updating special education policies in the IDEA 2004 Legal Framework system maintained by the Region 18 ESC (Midland). Previously, TEA required that each LEA update its special education policies on that site by November 30, 2012. The new deadline is February 1, 2013. In collaboration with a Special Education Working Group at the Region 13 ESC (Austin), TCSA has prepared a set of compliant special education policies that is now available to all charter schools free of charge, regardless of the school's status as a TCSA member. As a reminder, charter governing boards must approve these policies before they are uploaded onto ESC Region 18's Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process.
Note that Region 18 deleted all current policies from the system on Monday, November 19th. Every school should ensure that it has a copy of its current policies for its records. For more information contact TCSA Director of Legal & Policy Services, Lindsey Jones ph. 512.584.8272.
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Thinking of Starting a New Charter School?
Network Event: Advanced Work Session in Austin, TX- January 11th (Slots Still Available) TCSA is excited to provide its charter start-up training series for educational reformers and entrepreneurs as part of the new Texas Charter School Technical Assistance Network, a partnership between TEA, Region XI Education Service Center, and TCSA.
Target Audience: Ideal for persons/teams seeking Texas specific information about the chart
er application process and selected categories of the application submitted to the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), who meet the state criteria to apply for a Generation 18 charter and are in a position to submit an application (e.g., 501(c)(3) determination letter, fundraising, etc.).
Logistics
When: Friday, January 11, 2013, 9am - 5pm
Cost: FREE
Pre-requisite: Must have a draft of a Statement of Need and summary statement of the pedagogy that makes your proposed school innovative (e.g., what is your position on how students best learn and hence how is your school better?). This session is NOT for those just starting to consider whether applying for a charter school is for them.
Capacity: Attendance is limited. Register now to secure your seat. TCSA reserves the right to priortize attendants who have met the noted pre-requisites.
Questions?
Contact Art Serna, TCSA Director of Training Services, at 512-584-8272 or via email.
Find out more information.
Network Webinar: Does your charter school have a desire to expand in the near future? (January 15, 2013)
Join us in this webinar to receive reliable insights to developing and submitting a strong expansion amendment to TEA.
Come join us for this sought after session for charter executives, administrators, and board members all focused on giving you the most up to date information regarding charter school expansion amendments.
Target Audience:
Charter school -
Board Members
Executives
Central Administrative Officers
Administrators
Business Managers
Payment Information:
This is a complimentary webinar offered through the Texas Charter School Technical Assitanced Network (the Network).
Webinar Log-In:
A link and # to join the webinar will be e-mailed to all registrants within 2 hours prior to the event start date. Make sure to provide a unique e-mail address for each user you register. Questions?
Contact Art Serna, TCSA Director of Training Services, at 512-584-8272 or via email. Find out more information.
 San Antonio: TCSA Facilities Training
Does your charter school have an adequate facility to meet your vision? Join us in San Antonio, TX for two days of game changing insights to move your facility development and maintenance plans into the 21st century.
Come join us for this sought after session for charter executives, administrators, and board members all focused on giving you the most up to date information regarding charter school facilities.
Target Audience:
Charter School - Board Members ExecutivesCentral Administrative OfficersAdministratorsBusiness Managers
Payment Information:
You may pay via credit card, Paypal, check, or PO.
Early bird discount: $50 off member ticket; $45 off non-member ticket available until January 11th. Group discounts available until registration ends (register 3 people: $105 discount/member ticket; $100 discount/non-member ticket). Greatest discount will be applied.
Standard ticket Prices: $250 TCSA Member; $350 Non-Member. Questions?
Contact Art Serna, TCSA Director of Training Services, at 512-584-8272 or via email. Find out more information.
 On-demand TCSA e-Learning Video Series
NEW! Introduction to Charter School Open Meetings ($75.00)
This lesson provides board members and school officers an introduction and overview of charter school Open Meetings requirements and best practices.
Introduction to Charter School Law ($75.00)
This lesson provides board members and school officers an introduction and overview of the many laws and regulations impacting the operation and governance of charter schools (60 Minutes, 1.0 hour of credit). The TCSA e-Learning Video Series will add up to 6 hours of new training content by February 2013 that meets TAC 100 requirements! Get your budget plan ready to capitalize on this additional quality training content for your board and staff that is convenient, reduces your travel expenses, and is available 24/7. Get started now! |
Houston Rally for School Choice - Putting Families First!
Join parents, teachers, & community leaders in support of school choice. Families Empowered, KIPP, YES Prep, TX Charter Schools Association, American Federation for Children, parent groups, and community leaders will be be there!
Logistics
When: Saturday, February 2, 2013, 2pm Where: YES PREP: West
10535 Harwin
Houston , TX 77036 Questions? Contact Jennifer Limas, TCSA Director of Grassroots Advocacy, at 512-584-8272 or via email.
RSVP and find out more information. |
Editorial: Texan of the Year finalist YES Prep
December 24, 2012 Imagine this: A high school where every student earning a diploma has been admitted into a four-year college. You may think that would be possible only at some fancy prep school, but the students at Houston's YES Prep high schools have proven that ZIP code is not destiny. YES Prep's progress in transforming struggling students made believers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. The annual Broad Prize for America's most improved urban school district is a deeply coveted one. Charter schools, however, haven't been able to compete for the award. That is, until this year, when the Broad Foundation announced YES Prep Public Schools won its inaugural charter school competition. Read the editorial.
Texas' GOP budget writers are in no hurry to restore billions cut from schools
By Robert T. Garrett; December 29, 2012
AUSTIN - Republican leaders heading into the new legislative session say they are in no hurry to undo billions of dollars in cuts to public schools made two years ago.
Despite pressure from teacher groups and others, top lawmakers cited holes they must patch in the current budget, a general caution about higher spending and a desire to see how courts rule in the latest suit over how the state funds education.
Many school districts, pointing to an improved Texas economy, are seeking relief. But key budget-writers say the initial two-year plan they'll unveil soon won't replace the $5.4 billion the last Legislature sliced from state maintenance and operation aid and discretionary grants. That means no substantial help to handle bigger classes and no restored grants for half-day prekindergarten and remedial instruction, decisions that are expected to rekindle tensions with school advocates calling for more money. Read the article.
 Zehr: Building a better pipeline for workforce development By Dan Zehr; December 21, 2012Maria Victoria Chairez knows how hard it can be to take that first step into the new and unfamiliar.She did just that in January, signing up for English and citizenship classes at Manos de Cristo, a church-affiliated nonprofit that provides education and other support services for low-income Austinites. With the older of her two daughters reaching school age and starting to see mommy as a role model to emulate, Chairez figured it was time to improve her English language and jobs skills."I wanted to open myself up to new work and life opportunities, but I had to break out of my comfort zone to do it," she said through an interpreter, still a bit tentative with her new English skills. "This opportunity has been a 360-degree change for me." Read the article.
 New faces fill Texas Legislature KXAN TV; Updated: January 2, 2013AUSTIN (KXAN) - One week from Tuesday, lawmakers will head back to the State Capitol for the Texas Legislative Session. Over the following 140 days, several new faces will help shape the decisions made under the dome. As local leaders were sworn in Tuesday at the old Williamson County Courthouse, the area's newest state representative - Tony Dale - prepared for his own oath right around the corner. The first-term Republican from the newly drawn district in Cedar Park will soon join his family on the Texas House floor, then dive right into his duties as a lawmaker. Read the article. |
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Katherine Anne Porter School
Wimberley, Texas
Job ID: 151642 Application Deadline: Posted until Filled Posted: December 28, 2012 Starting Date: Immediately
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Annual Financial and Compliance Report
ESCs with a fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 must submit their 2012 annual financial and compliance report to TEA by November 27, 2012. ESCs with a fiscal year ending August 31, 2012 must submit their 2012 annual financial and compliance report to TEA by January 28, 2013.
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Change to Automobile Mileage Reimbursement Rate
December 19, 2012
Applicable to State and Federal Grants from the Texas Education Agency
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has changed the automobile mileage reimbursement rate. On January 1, 2013, the rate increased from 55.5 to 56.5 cents per mile. Travel and lodging reimbursement rates have not changed. The standard rates, effective until August 31, 2013, are up to $77 per night for lodging and up to $46 per day for meals, unless a higher rate for the travel destination is specified. Read more.
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