December 20, 2013

Dr. Soner Tarim, Superintendent of Harmony Public Schools (left) received the Committed to Quality Award recognizing outstanding leadership to achieve all campuses for Quality Framework campus submissions. The University of Texas Charter School was also recognized for outstanding leadership of the most consecutive Quality Framework submissions. Both awards were presented by TCSA Vice President of Quality Services, Chris Busse during the Closing Session of the TCSA Conference in Fort Worth last Friday.  

Charter Champions Announced, High Performing Charters Honored
More than 1,400 statewide conference attendees, Commissioner Williams and Michelle Rhee 
(Fort Worth, Tex) -- This week more than 1,400 charter school leaders gathered in Fort Worth, Tex., to attend the statewide Texas Charter Schools Conference (Dec. 11-13, 2013). This year's conference entitled, "Blazing the Trail to Quality and Innovation," focused on training, quality services and sharing best practices. The Texas Charter Schools Association (TCSA) also celebrated the 5th birthday of the Association during the opening reception. Keynote speakers included national education advocate, Michelle Rhee, and Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams in a repeat appearance with charter school leaders and supporters. Read the press release.

Tell us what you thought of the conference! 
In an effort to improve attendee satisfaction, we are asking that you respond to our daily survey and let us know how we are doing. In exchange for your valuable feedback, TCSA will enter survey respondees into a daily drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Thank you for your time - we hope you enjoyed the conference!

Take the survey from Day Two (Thursday) 

Take the survey from Day One (Wednesday)

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2014 TCSA Membership Drive In Full Swing! Renew before the holiday break! 

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.

 

Congratulations to the winner of our Early Membership Renewal Drawing - Rapoport Academy! Two guests from Rapoport will receive a 2014 Conference Package which includes (2) 2-night hotel stays and (2) 2014 TCSA Conference registrations at the Westin Galleria in Houston!  
 


 
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
charter news
TEA logo
Six identified for mandatory revocation of charters
under SB 2

December 19, 2013
AUSTIN - The Texas Education Agency has identified six open-enrollment charter schools that meet the legislative criteria for mandatory revocation of their charter under Senate Bill 2. Revocation for all six would be effective June 30, 2014.
Read the press release. 

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Statement By David Dunn on revocation decisions by TEA Commissioner Williams
"Extraordinary charter schools greatly outnumber the struggling charter schools, but the strugglers receive more media attention. We are working hard to improve every charter school and will keep advocating for excellence and quality because students deserve it. Texas is, and will continue to be, a leader in public charter schools across the nation precisely because we insist upon quality." - David Dunn, executive director of the Texas Charter Schools Association. Read the press release.

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Charter Schools Group Applauds Congressional Action to Stop Discrimination Against Online Charter School Students Interested in Serving in the Armed Forces  
December 19, 2013 
Today the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools praised the inclusion of a provision in the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will prohibit the Department of Defense (DOD) from unfairly discriminating against students interested in enlisting in the armed forces who have graduated from online and blended learning high schools, some of which are public charter schools. The bill was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 12, 2013 and by the U.S. Senate today. Read the press release.

 
Adding to Quinn Middle School library 
By Waco Trib; December 13, 2013 
Rapoport Academy's Quinn Middle School recently received more than 1,200 donated books from Half-Price Books in Dallas. Read the article.

Higher Ed in High School
By Ken Rodriguez; December 17, 2013
New Frontiers Charter School is going where few charter schools have gone before. In the fall of 2014, New Frontiers will start an Early College High School, a dual credit program that will enable students to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate's degree from Palo Alto College at no cost to parents. Read the article.

In Other Charter News

 

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   

   
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
Executive Communication Training
Once a year, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life invites community advocates, association executives, and nonprofit leaders to hone their communication skills alongside some of the best in the business. It's primarily aimed at nonprofit and association leaders who can't afford corporate rates, so a weekend training, which could be upwards of $10,000, is offered for $650. The training is tons of fun, very interactive and includes sessions on effectively delivering speeches, engaging your audiences, message development, being on camera and more - below is additional information, including an awesome testimonial from one of our participants last year. 
If you or someone you know in the community would be interested in this training, go ahead and pass this along and/or sign up. It is well worth the investment of time and a little bit of money to sharpen your presentation skills.  
How can our training help you? 2013 ECT alumna Maegan Ellis (Director of Development and Communication for the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas) was recently interviewed on FOX 7 Austin to talk about Literacy Awareness Month. Maegan emailed after the interview and said: "I would absolutely not have been able to do this without my training from the Annette Strauss Institute. I put so many of the tools I learned to use here and am incredibly proud to be able to represent my organization this well." 
Sign up today  - seats are limited and filling up fast! 

Apply to be a TX charter school application reviewer - due Dec 31st  
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, closing on December 31st.  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 by 1 pm, December 31st 

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. 
job post of the week
TRAINING ADMINISTRATION INTERN (#TRN-INTRN14)
Texas Charter Schools Association
Austin, Texas

Job ID:  566592                          Application Deadline: Posted until Filled  

Posted: December 17, 2013     Starting Date: Immediately

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Important Guidance Update: SHARS and IDEA-B LEA Maintenance of Effort (MOE)
Read this letter.

Clarifying Revision to Online Charter School - School FIRST Application
Read the letter.

Instructional Materials Allotment - Proclamation 2014
Read the letter.

2013 Title III Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) Reports Now Available
Read the letter.