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Charter Leaders accepted the Outstanding Campus Performance Award recognizing consistently high student performance and growth during the general session of the 2013 Texas Charter Schools Association Conference in Fort Worth on Thursday.
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 Congratulations to TCSA's High Performing Charters Award Winners!
COMMITTED TO QUALITY AWARD presented to Harmony Public Schools recognizing the outstanding leadership to achieve all campuses for quality framework campus submissions and to the University of Texas Charter School recognizing outstanding leadership of the most consecutive quality framework submissions.
OUTSTANDING CAMPUS PERFORMANCE AWARD recognizing consistently high student performance and growth. (photo)
Harmony School of Science (Houston), IDEA College Prep, IDEA College Preparatory (San Benito), IDEA Frontier College Preparatory, KIPP Sharp College Prep Lower School, KIPP Spirit College Prep, KIPP Sharpstown College Preparatory, KIPP Academy Middle, KIPP Austin Collegiate, KIPP 3D Academy, KIPP Austin College Prep, Ripley House Charter School, Rise Academy, St. Mary's Academy Charter School, SER-Ninos Charter Middle School, Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies, Uplift Education Peak Prep High School, Uplift Education Peak Prep Middle, Uplift Education Summit International Middle, Uplift Education Summit International Preparatory, Uplift Education Williams Prep Middle, Uplift Education Williams Prep High School, YES Prep Southwest, YES Prep Gulfton, YES Prep North Central, YES Prep East End, YES Prep Southeast
Charter Champions Announced for Texas State Sen. Van de Putte and Texas Rep. Farney
Public charter schools honor legislators for drop out recovery focus in 83rd session
(Fort Worth, Tex) -- Texas public charter schools announced the Charter Champion awards for Texas State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (San Antonio, District 26) and Texas House Representative Marsha Farney (Georgetown, District 20) at the start of the second day of the statewide training conference in Fort Worth. During the 2013 Legislative session, Senator Van de Putte authored Senate Bill 1538 (companion to House Bill 3808, authored by Rep. Marsha Farney during her first session) to support Drop Out Recovery schools and students. Both legislators successfully worked in their respective chambers to pass SB 1538, which had been a legislative priority for Texas charter schools for more than three legislative sessions. Read the press release. |
 One in Five Students Across 32 School Districts Attend Public Charter Schools According to New Market Share Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released their annual market share report findings indicating that over the past eight years the number of school districts with at least 20 percent of students attending public charter school has increased 350 percent. The eighth annual report provides details about the school districts that have the largest percentage of students in charter schools, the largest total number of students attending charters, and where charter enrollment growth is strongest. Read the press release.
Texas in the NAPCS Market Share Report - The Highest Percentage of Public Charter School Students by School District (2012-13)
- Tied for #10: San Antonio ISD (Texas) 26% (page 3)
- The Highest Number of Public Charter School Students by School District (2012-13)
- #7: Houston ISD (Texas) 19% (43,546 out of 187,236) (page 3)
In 135 American school districts, at least 10 percent of public school students attend charter schools. The full list can be found on pages 8-10 of the report with 10 from Texas. In addition to San Antonio at #10, Manor ISD (Texas) is 22% at #13. East Central ISD (Texas) and Houston ISD (Texas) both at 19% at #16. Three from Texas at #23, Dallas ISD (12%), Duncanville ISD (12%) and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (12%). At #24, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (11%) and Waco ISD (11%). And #25, San Benito Consolidated ISD (Texas) at 10%.  New Orleans leads nation in percentage of public charter school enrollment By Lyndsey Layton; December 10, 2013
According to the non-profit organization, 79 percent of public school students in New Orleans attended charters in the last school year, followed by 51 percent in Detroit, 43 percent in D.C., 36 percent each in Flint, Mich. and Kansas City, Mo. and 35 percent in Gary, Ind. Read the article.
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2014 TCSA Membership Drive In Full Swing! Renew Today!
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.
NEW! As a courtesy to member schools, TCSA is offering the opportunity to pay 2014 Membership dues onsite at the conference with a credit card. This opportunity to pay with a card is only valid at the 2013 Annual Conference. Visit TCSA at our booth to renew your 2014 Membership!
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Starting a Charter School Advanced Workshop
TCSA Training Room 700 Lavaca Street Suite 930 Austin, Texas 78701 Friday, January 24 2014 9:00am-5:00pm This session will provide attendees with a better understanding of the legal, operational, and educational considerations that need to be considered to apply for a charter school in Texas, in light of the changes brought by Senate Bill 2 this past year. We will address important items of the new charter application and highlight critical areas. REGISTER
Charter Application Review Services for Generation 19 Charter Application - Important TCSA Deadlines (*subject to change based on TEA application release date) 2nd drafts of critical areas due to TCSA by February 10, 2014 - Description: TCSA's team of charter school professionals review your independently drafted application for completeness, accuracy, and competitiveness, guiding you to make critical revisions and improvements needed to ensure the best application. (Service fees apply)
- Written intent to enroll in services due to TCSA by January 6, 2014 - email Art Serna to indicate interest. By this date, you must have completed the online application.
- Complete initial draft of Generation 19 application due to TCSA by January 13, 2014
- Feedback sessions will be scheduled with teams the week of January 27-31, 2014
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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 can be processed online along with your annual TCSA Membership renewal and should be paid with your membership dues OR you may complete an order form and submit it to TCSA. 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.  STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDE
FOR TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS
The Texas Charter School Association has teamed up with the Walsh Anderson law firm to develop a legal and practical guide for charter schools to use in developing a student code of conduct. The Guide contains model code of conduct language, legal and practical tips for development and implementation, and helpful forms for use in the student discipline process. Purchasers will receive an electronic version of the model language and forms for use in the creation of their code of conduct. ORDER |
 You can make choices about your child's school By Jaime Hanks Meyers; December 10, 2013 Caring parents want the best education for their children, and that means making sure their school is meeting the needs and aspirations of the family, knowing how to work to improve that school, or making the choice to seek alternatives that might better suit your needs. Read the article.  Education Commissioner Uses San Antonio Visit To Build Curriculum Recommendation By Ryan Poppe; December 5, 2013 "There is no doubt that there has to be -- after the passage of HB 5 -- a very very strong relationship between K-12, post-secondary and the business community," Williams said. "So we had a conversation about how the business community could be greatly involved." Read the article. In Other Charter News Santa trumps the Grinch under Texas' new Merry Christmas law - Fort Worth Star Telegram
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Spreading The Word About School Choice
There's good news for parents who want to spread the word about the benefits of school choice and educational opportunity. Parents can now participate in National School Choice Week by holding events in their homes. These "Friends and Family Night" events are designed to spur conversations about the future of educational opportunity in America. Read the article.
Houston, 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
 Houston preparing for unique, collaborative school choice celebration in January
"We are excited that so many different groups are coming together to celebrate educational options, and to help send a clear message to the entire country that school choice, in its many forms, benefits children and families," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "Houston is the ideal place to launch our week of positive celebrations, because so many of the city's pioneering school choice options are now being replicated in cities and states across the country." Read the article.  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 kacey.sims@dallasmavs.com and mention you are with the National School Choice Week event. As a special incentive -- as soon as we hit 50 tickets sold, court with the Mavs during the National Anthem!
Have questions about National School Choice Week events?
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.
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We Need YOU! Apply to be a charter school application reviewer today.
The Comptroller and TEA have put out the call for new charter school application reviewers and the link is active. Let's make sure they have many qualified applicants to choose from, including applicants who are familiar with the qualities of a successful charter school.
Open application link for charter reviewers due SOON.
Funding Available for Capital Projects I.A. O'Shaughnessy Foundation: Grants support high quality education preparing students in disadvantaged communities for educational and life success. Grantees must: provide support networks for the students; remove impediments to student success; be supported by the community; and have a wealth of data to prove their success. William Randolph Hearst Foundations: Four funding categories: (1) Culture; (2) Education; (3) Health; and (4) Social Services. Charters that may be eligible for funding include: schools with pathways that provide scholarships to college; innovative successful models; and schools that have an arts-focused mission. Funding: $25,000 - $200,000. Georgia-Pacific Foundation: Schools in communities with Georgia-Pacific facilities (Denton, Lufkin, Garland & McQueeney) qualify. The focus is on: education, environment, enrichment and entrepreneurship. Funding: multiple awards of at least $1,000. Center to Aid Educational Facilities Improvements: "This grant will allow GWI to establish a clearinghouse for education leaders to plan for, improve and maintain educational facilities," DoEd Secretary, Arne Duncan. The Clearinghouse will support educational facilities through the provision of technical assistance and training on issues related to planning, design, financing, construction, improvement, operation and maintenance.
 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 Deadline: Monday, February 10, 2014 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.
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TEXAS ACE SITE COORDINATOR NYOS Charter School Austin, Texas Job ID: 559172 Application Deadline: Posted until Filled Posted: December 9, 2013 Starting Date: January 6, 2014 |
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Thank you again to our Conference Diamond Sponsor:
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2014-2016 Online College and Career Preparation Technical Assistance Program
Read the letter.
Highly Qualified Teachers - - Required Annual Highly Qualified Continuous Improvement Planning Process Notification Letters
Read the letter.
Fingerprinting Requirement: Applicable to All Grantees
Read the letter.
2014-2016 Educator Excellence Innovation Program
Read the letter.
Required Physical Fitness Assessment 2014
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
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