November 22, 2013

TCSA members from small and large charters, and charter bond attorneys and financial advisers testified before the Texas State Board of Education School Finance and PSF committee (view discussion of item 2) on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  Earlier this fall, TEA and the SBOE members requested information on public charter schools and bonds, and TCSA invited all member schools and convened a working group to provide input as the SBOE worked on their proposed rules for the PSF bond guarantee for charters. Proposed rules were voted on today. More information available here. Thank you to Wayside Schools, KIPP, IDEA, Uplift and YES Prep as well as Tom Sage and Drew Masterson for testimony, and thank you to all our vendor members and member schools as well as Janet Robertson and Dan Roseveare for your input during our working group process.

Cheers to charters

November 20, 2013

We actually have a brag to make on education. Better yet, it's not simply a Texas brag; it's one with a distinct Houston pedigree. Charter schools born and developed here and elsewhere across our state are being exported to other states and possibly the District of Columbia. The two best-known Houston brands, KIPP  and YES Prep, are already well into expansion mode, especially KIPP. The KIPP model that was founded in a public school classroom in 1994 now has 141 schools in 20 states. YES Public Schools has plans to open six schools in Memphis, Tenn., and four in Louisiana. Soner Tarim, founder and superintendent of Harmony Public Schools, a 40-school network across Texas, labels Houston "the Silicon Valley" of charter schools. Read the editorial. 

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2014 TCSA Membership Drive On Going! 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.
 
Only 8 Days Left to Register Online. Rates Increase for Onsite Registration.
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.

TCSA's Main Conference Hotel, the Omni, and the additional rooms at the Hilton have sold out.
We have reserved 25 more rooms at the 
Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel & Spa - only 1 block from the Convention Center.

Please call the hotel directly to reserve your room at the negotiated rate of $129/night. These rooms and this rate will be available to the group until Friday, December 6, 2013.

Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa
1701 Commerce Street
Fort Worth, Texas  76102
ph. 817.806.3764 

Identify yourself as an attendee of the Texas Charter Schools Association Conference when making your reservation.Hotel Information

  

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 from 12pm to 1pm December 2nd and 3rd. REGISTER   

Featured Breakout Session- Best Practices for Creating Your Student Code of Conduct 
Wednesday, December 11th; 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM 
Denise Pierce: General Counsel, Texas Charter Schools Association 
Haley TurnerAttorney, Walsh Anderson: Presenter  
Charter schools have been left up to their own devices when it comes to student misconduct, appropriate punishments, and the discipline process.  This session will focus on the legal requirements of a charter school student discipline, as well as the legal and practical considerations for the development of a student code of conduct.  This session will also include an introduction to the newly developed Student Code of Conduct Guide created collaboratively by TCSA and the Walsh Anderson Law Firm. Add this to my schedule. 
   
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!   
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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
Charters expand as school choice matures
By Jennifer Radcliffe; November 18,2013
Texas' largest charter school chain plans to expand outside the state - a signal of the maturation of the school-choice movement that has a strong Houston presence.Harmony Public Schools, a 40-school network in Texas founded by Turkish immigrants, is asking to open a math- and science-focused elementary school in Washington, D.C. The authorizing board there will vote Monday on whether to grant the charter.  Read the article.

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Harmony charter school expands beyond Texas
By Kate Alexander; November 19, 2013
Texas' largest charter school network, Harmony Public Schools, will for the first time offer its science- and math-intensive education program beyond the Lone Star State. Late Monday, the Washington, D.C., Public Charter School Board granted Harmony the right to open a new elementary school next year that will gradually extend through high school.  Read the article.

Texas education board backs off of Algebra 2 mandate
By Kate Alexander; November 21, 2013 

Members of the State Board of Education on Thursday backed off a proposal to mandate advanced algebra for almost all Texas high school students under new graduation requirements that kick in next school year.

The Algebra 2 requirement technically would apply only to students pursuing a math, science and engineering focus. But unless and until the board authorizes more math courses, most students still will end up taking Algebra 2 because it is a prerequisite for almost all advanced math courses.  

Read the article. 

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. 
Download the flyer to post at your school

Join us as we root for the Dallas Mavericks when they face off against the Sacramento Kings!

Friday, January 31 at 7:30PM
American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave, Dallas TX 75219

Charter school leaders, parents, and students can show their support for choice within the public school system! Our group will also be recognized during the game. Students, parents, and staff should arrive at the game early and head to the Admiral Room One to receive your free gift.  
Game tickets are $27.00 per person (usually $33 per ticket and this amount includes tax and service fees) and must be paid when purchasing tickets.   
To purchase tickets, please contact Kacy Sims at 214-658-7192 or email at [email protected] and mention you are with the National School Choice Week event. As a special incentive -- as soon as we hit 50 tickets sold, 
10 lucky charter schools students will have the chance to stand on the  
court with the Mavs during the National Anthem!   

 

Have questions about National School Choice Week events?

Contact:  Amanda List, TCSA Director of Advocacy
More information. 
 

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
Excellence in Education Awards 
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2014. More information. 

TEACHING DEMANDS EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
Are you up for the challenge?
Forget the chalk and textbooks. Teachers are modernizing education by removing the walls between classrooms and real life. They're doing it using the same innovation, leadership, and tenacity as CEOs and NFL coaches. It's a huge job. If you have what it takes, we're here to help. See if you're up to the task. More information. 
 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. 
job post of the week

6TH - 8 TH GRADE HISTORY TEACHER - VISTA ACADEMY OF THE WOODLANDS

Vista of The Woodlands, Responsive Education Solutions
The Woodlands, Texas  

Job ID:  544742                         Application Deadline: Posted until Filled  

Posted: November 20, 2013    Starting Date: Immediately  

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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

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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