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SXSWedu, held in Austin March 4-7, 2013 drove meaningful conversation and collaboration around promising practices and tools for improved learning. Distinguished speaker and former San Antonio Spur, David Robinson (far right) of IDEA Carver Academy spoke on Tuesday. PHOTO: Tom Torkelson (center) and other IDEA Public Schools staff. |
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Yvette East, Superintendent (right) shows off the banner presented to the school by TEA.
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Title I Distinguished School Award
The Texas Education Agency honored Houston Heights Learning Academy with a banner for the achievement of being awarded 2012-2013 National Title 1 Distinguished School. There were only two schools in Texas that were nominated for this award. On February 22, the school had a special celebration in Houston to commemorate this achievement. Read Press Release.
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KIPP Resolution on House Floor
Rep Allen - HR 646
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 5, 2013, as KIPP Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable trip to Austin. Read Press Release.
 SAVE THE DATE: May 8, 2013
Rally for Public Charter Schools Texas State Capitol, Austin
The policies that impact charter schools will be deliberated on during this legislative session. Hearing directly from charter school leaders, parents and teachers is one of the best ways for state legislators to understand how vital charter schools are to providing a great public education for Texas students. Join us as we stand together in support of Texas public charter schools! To confirm your participation, contact Jennifer Limas-Mota, TCSA Director of Grassroots Advocacy.
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 Business Week, Dallas (FREE) May 22-24, 2013 This intensive three day charter finance workshop is developed and delivered by seasoned charter finance leaders. This year's version of Business Week is designed to accelerate the learning of novice charter business officers and employees with a mix of foundational charter finance knowledge and interactive real world guided examples. REGISTER
  TCSA 3rd Annual Spring Charter School Statewide Finance Bootcamp, Austin ($325 Member; $425 Non-Member) What will Charter School Finance look like after 2013?April 10-12, 2013 Commissioner Hours Credit: Totaling 14 possible hours Join us in Austin, TX for three days of insights and breaking updates around the most critical developments in finance matters impacting charter schools. REGISTER  TCSA Statewide Charter School Legal Summit, Dallas ($250 Member; $350 Non-Member) May 20-21, 2013
Commissioner Hours Credit: Totaling 9 possible hours
This 2 day training hits on the hot topics that have a huge impact on your charter schools operational compliance. REGISTER
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NEW! Watch the March 2013 FREE TCSA Quality Framework Webinar: Quality Framework Self-Assessment and Reports Overview
Watch this free webinar recorded on March 6 and learn how to: view data from your charter's last Quality Framework submission--even if you last submitted a spreadsheet or paper copy; start a new Self-Assessment for the current year; find each type of report in the Quality Framework portal; and, see how easy it us to use the graphs, charts, and tables available to you now. Who should view this webinar? Superintendents, executive directors, principals, compliance officers, grant officers--anyone on the charter school staff who leads, implements, or participates in the charter or campus improvement process, or uses data for reporting or planning purposes. Questions? Email the Quality Initiatives Team.
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  America's Top Urban Public Charter School System Eradicates Achievement Gaps, Sends All Students to College
A report detailing the practices behind the 2012 Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools winner's success in eliminating achievement gaps and reaching 100 percent college admission for all its students was released today by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. The report details how YES Prep Public Schools, a network of 11 middle and high schools in Houston, has achieved unprecedented success with a high-poverty, high-minority student population. Read the report.  KIPP doubters proven wrong Editorial Board; March 1, 2013 OFFICIALS OF KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) have become accustomed to the doubters who think the success of the fast-growing charter-school network is too good to be true. A study conducted by the independent firm Mathematical Policy Research, which analyzed data from 43 KIPP middle schools, found that students in these charter schools showed significantly greater learning gains in math, reading, science and social studies than did their peers in traditional public schools.Read Article.  New School Choice Bill Backs Local Accountability Plans by Morgan Smith; March 7, 2013
House Bill 300 from state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, would allow local school boards to opt out of almost all state regulations, with the exception of basic health and safety guidelines, and create their own plans to measure student achievement. It would also give parents the ability to enroll their children in any of the participating districts, regardless of geographical boundaries - although select schools could choose to set admissions standards. Read the article.
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NASC National Conference
The NASC National Conference returns in 2013 with a high-energy line-up of top-notch presenters and workshops designed to reenergize, refocus, and refresh. Join us in Las Vegas to meet and network with student council leaders and advisers from across the U.S. and around the world, learn from entertaining and informative speakers, and discuss new ideas and innovations in service learning. Read More.
Leadership Charter: New Mexico School Leadership Institute June 17-21, 2013; Albuquerque, New Mexico Leadership Charter is an intensive professional development institute for experienced charter school leaders to learn with and from each other by exploring topics critical for student success today. Join us to explore: Improving Student Outcomes, Quality Instruction, Mission-Driven Leadership, and Charter School Advocacy. Registration is limited! Maximum of 25 participants.
Registration closes May 10. Read More.
Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program (Texas Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE))
The purpose of the Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program is to provide opportunities beyond the regular school day for communities to establish or expand activities in community learning centers. Notice of Intent due on March 12, 2013.
Read more and apply.
The Google Science Fair
is an online science competition open to students ages 13-18 from around the globe. We're looking for ideas that will change the world. Enter Here.
 Doodle 4 Google Art Contest
An annual program that invites K-12 students in the United States to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign our homepage logo for millions to see. This year, it's asked for students to exercise their creative imaginations around the theme, "My Best Day Ever..." One talented student artist will see their artwork appear on the Google homepage, receive a $30,000 college scholarship, and a $50,000 technology grant for their school along with some other cool prizes!
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Head of School Austin Discovery School Austin, Texas Application Deadline: April 15, 2013
Starting Date: July 1, 2013
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The 2013-2014 NCLB Data Request Form for Federal Funding (SC5010) has been made available in eGrants as of March 1, 2013. The submission deadline is April 30, 2013. For instructions.
UPDATE: TEA Special Education Policy Deadline Extended:
For more information contact TCSA Director of Legal Policy Services, Lindsey Jones at ph. 512.584.8272.
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The 2012 Student Assessment Data Validation Manual
Now available.
The 2012 Student Assessment Data Validation district reports are scheduled to be posted to the secure TEASE Accountability application on Friday, February 22, 2013.
Technical Assistance:
Performance-Based Monitoring (PBM) contacts are available at each education service center (ESC) to provide technical assistance to school districts. Latest updates to the ESC PBM contacts can be found here, using the Search RESCs function.
For questions about interventions, including ISAM inquiries, please contact: Program Monitoring and Interventions by calling 512.463.5226 or via email.
For questions about the manual or the indicators described in the manual, please contact: Performance-Based Monitoring by calling 512.936.6426 or via email.
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Change to Automobile Mileage Reimbursement Rate
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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