November 15, 2013

David Dunn, TCSA executive director, headed to East Texas this week to visit public charter schools including Vista Academy of Tyler (Vista students pictured above).  Other schools visited by David and Erin Tholen, TCSA, included Pineywoods Community Academy, SFA Charter School,  East Texas Charter School,  UT Tyler Charter School, Azleway Charter, Ranch Academy and Cumberland Academy.

image with white outline

 

2014 TCSA Membership Drive Kicks Off! Renew Today! 

 

Over the next five years, TCSA will add valuable member services for current members while adding a focus on charter school growth in Texas to help serve more students especially where there are few options. In addition, this next year of membership will be critical as we prepare to press for facilities and equitable funding at the Texas Legislature during the 2015 session. We ask that you commit to standing with us so that together we achieve funding equity for Texas public charter school students.  

 

On Thursday, charter leaders received an email prompting them to apply or renew their charter's membership with TCSA by completing an application within the Quality Framework Portal. Please note, penalties will be assessed for payments received after January 31, 2014. Charters are considered members upon receipt of payment.

 

Pay your dues before the conclusion of the Texas Charter Schools Conference on December 13, 2013 and be entered to win one (1) FREE 2014 Conference Package! This package includes two (2) charter attendee registrations and two (2) 2-night hotel stays at the Westin Galleria Houston!   

Please contact Erin Tholen ph. 512.584.8272 if you have questions.
 
2013 Texas Charter Schools Conference:
Blazing the Trail to Quality and Innovation 
The annual Texas Charter Schools Conference is the only statewide gathering of the entire Texas charter school community. More than 1,300 charter school advocates including teachers, administrators, board members, policy makers, and vendors will gather for training, networking, and sharing best practices for charter effectiveness and compliance.
 
Special Thanks to our Diamond Sponsor:





Download the Conference App on your smart phone, iPad or laptop!
Be prepared for this year's conference by planning
your experience on your mobile device or laptop prior
to arriving in Fort Worth. Whether you login on your laptop or mobile device, your saved account - including your custom schedule - will transfer back and forth seamlessly.

Please note, there will be
no printed conference book this year and limited printed schedules will be available on site.

  

How do I get started?

Create an account on a laptop or desktop computer OR


Download the app from your mobile device - search for "TCSA" in the app store, Google Play or itunes  

OR scan the QR code using your mobile device

    

  

Need more help? Attend our webinar where we will demonstrate how to:

  • Download the app to IPhone, IPad, Android devices
  • View the App online
  • Create your Schedule Online for the Conference
  • Locate Exhibitors, Breakout Sessions, General Session, etc.
  • Search for Sessions, Speakers
  • Bookmark Events
The webinar will be offered (5) times from 12pm to 1pm on the following dates:
November 19th, 20th, 22nd, and December 2nd and 3rd.  
REGISTER    
   
TCSA On-Demand Training
On-demand TCSA e-Learning Video Series
Charter School Board Members and Administrators now have the flexibility to log in and complete annual training requirements at anytime from the comfort of their home or office. The E-Learning Series is designed to provide TEA required training to charter school administrators and board members in a simple, effective on-line platform. Individuals can access training 24/7 at their convenience. Certificates will be available for download at the completion of the training. AVAILABLE NOW - Earn up to 13.75 hours online!   
  null
You asked for changes, we listened.
Instead of offering the TCSA Model Board Policies for $3,500 every two years, we've moved to a subscription model with a yearly renewal fee of only $1,000. For your convenience, the yearly subscription entitles your charter school to continuous policy updates each year. Subscriptions will be processed online along with your annual TCSA Membership renewal and should be paid with your membership dues. For more information, view the new pricing schedule and commonly asked questions, or contact Lindsey Jones, Director of Legal & Policy Services ph. 512.584.8272.
charter news
SFA Charter School students learn about veterans' commitment, sacrifice

By Donna McCollum - bio; November 11, 2013

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - At several Nacogdoches schools children performed a variety of Veterans Day programs. East Texas News' found at the SFA Charter School  a "living lesson" on what it means to be an American.The kids sang, "Liberty and justice. Liberty and justice." Read the article.  

 

Rapoport senior a National Merit commended student

November 11, 2013
Rapoport Academy's Meyer High School senior James Cody was named a National Merit commended student. His scores ranked in the top 5 percent of the nation on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), taken in his junior year. Read the article. 

 


 

New charter school caters to creatives

In the center of Flower Mound's Parker Square, a new charter school has opened its doors to help prepare high school students from across North Texas for careers in digital arts, business marketing, and fashion merchandising in a college-like campus setting. Read the article.  

In Other Charter News

Charter Schools and UIL Seminar
Region 10 will be hosting a special seminar on November 18, 2013 Charter Schools and the UIL. Mark Cousins, Director of Athletics for the UIL, has agreed to coordinate the presentation by the UIL on issues specific to Charter Schools along with some general UIL topics. REGISTER.

Celebrate Your Charter School
at the Official Kickoff of National School Choice Week


Admission is Free!  REGISTER 
Saturday, January 25, 2014   
Union Station at Minute Maid Park 

501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002

Celebrate great schools, students, parents and teachers at the National School Choice Week Official Kickoff in Houston, Texas. Join us for special guest speakers, musical entertainment, refreshments, a school fair and more!  Doors open at 4:30pm. The event begins at 5:00pm.

 

Have questions about Celebrate Your Charter School at the Official Kickoff of National School Choice Week? Contact  Amanda List. 

The SXSWedu Education Expo

Tuesday, March 4, 2014; 2:00pm - 8:00pm 

SXSWedu is pleased to present the SXSWedu Education Expo - a FREE and open to the public event celebrating the Central Texas community's hunger and passion for lifelong learning, from cradle to career and beyond. More information. 
 CharterEducatorOpps
Civil Rights Today Essay Contest
The contest is open to 12th grade Texas students attending public, private, parochial, or home schools. Students must include the name of their nominating teacher on the registration form. Complete information about the contest can be found here. 

150th anniversary of Gettysburg address
Students can participate and Learn the Address.  Next week, we observe and commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on November 19, 2013. 
More information.   
job post of the week

TEACHER

Brazos School for Inquiry & Creativity- Houston
Houston, Texas

Job ID: 535582                       Application Deadline: Posted until Filled  

Posted: November 8, 2013    Starting Date: Immediately  

image with white outline
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION'S MEMBER CHARTER SCHOOLS
All proposals must be submitted on or before:
3:00 P.M., December 6, 2013

TEA logo

calendar

2014-2015 Innovative Course Applications

Read the letter.

Submitting the Annual Financial and Compliance Report and Data Feed

Read the letter.


Third-Party Authorization to Submit Foundation School Program (FSP) System Data through Texas Education Agency Secure Environment (TEASE)

Read the letter.

     

Implications of NCLB Flexibility Waiver
Read the letter.

New Statutory Requirements Prohibiting the Adoption or Use of Common Core
Read the letter.

 

2014-2015 Public Charter School Program Start-UpGrant  

 Read the article.   

 

Update to Plan for IDEA-B Maintenance of Effort Determinations. 

 Read the letter. 

 

Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide available.   

Read the press release.

  

Compliance with Kindergarten Reading Assessment Data Submission (TEC �28.006).

Read the letter.

 

Districts and charters reminded of state's fingerprinting requirements.  

Read the press release.

 

2013-2014 IDEA-B Significantly Expanded Charter Schools