May 30, 2014

Seniors at Harmony Science Academy -- North Austin celebrate with posters announcing what college they will be attending after graduation. Some of those schools include Syracuse, the US Air Force Academy, UT-Austin, Texas A&M and Baylor, among many others. Send TCSA your graduation photos -- maybe your school will be at the top of next week's newsletter!
Performance Ratings in Community and Student Engagement Due in PEIMS JUNE 26th
The new accountability requirements under Tex. Educ. Code �39.0545 imposed by the enactment of House Bill 5 require open-enrollment charter schools to perform a self-evaluation of the school and each campus in community and student engagement and compliance. TCSA has created a guidance document available to members through the Quality Framework (see Public Accountability System -- Compliance Element) that provides a framework for schools to evaluate performance in each category of evaluation. Also, 2014 TCSA Model Policy subscribers will receive an updated Policy 200.230 that incorporates the TCSA guidance document.

Final performance ratings must be uploaded to PEIMS no later than June 26th.  Schools have until July 24th to make any edits or changes. Final performance ratings must be posted on the school's website no later than August 8th.

Time to recharge and find new ideas to take back to your charter school. Join us at the National Charter Schools Conference June 29-July 2. You never know who you're going to meet. Whether it's a young principal running a brand new charter school or a veteran charter school advocate who has worked to pass pro-charter legislation in his or her state Legislature, you will be impressed by the depth of knowledge and dedication of attendees. The people who attend the National Charter Schools Conference can be great resources to you once you get back to school in the fall, and we hope you'll take advantage of these networking opportunities. REGISTER  


   

Call for Presentations Open June 1 through July 15

Don't miss your chance to present a session at the 2014 Texas Charter Schools Conference! We'll be opening the call for presentations soon, so be thinking about topics for engaging sessions and animated conversation!   

 

Calendar a Staff Development Day

Charter schools, especially those in Houston, are encouraged to calendar a Professional Development Day for their teaching staff and take advantage of our special $100 rate for each Teacher One-Day Pass to attend the workshop on Friday, December 12.  Visit the TEA website to learn more information about the expedited waiver process.

 

Discounted Exhibitor Registration Open June 1--30
We invite you to participate in the 2014 Texas Charter Schools Conference, the premier event for Texas public charter schools. By participating in the Conference, you help extend the reach of valuable information through exhibit and sponsor opportunities. Your support of corporate TCSA programs like this conference provides our member schools, students and attendees with the tools and resources necessary to enhance public education in Texas. For the greatest exhibitor discount, become a TCSA Vendor Member. For more information, please contact Erin Tholen at 512.584.8272.
CharterEducatorOpps
Database Licenses Begin June 15, 2014
With restored funding from the state legislature, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is re-establishing the statewide databases program for K-12 public schools.
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP

 
Discounted Rates for TCSA Members at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa: August 24--28 or September 1--4, 2014
Beginning on Monday, June 2, TCSA Members can call 877-622-3140 and mention they are with the Texas Charter Schools Association to receive a discounted rate of $169.00 per night with a waived resort fee on 8/24--8/28 and 9/1--9/4. This is strictly for members to enjoy a leisure getaway and preview TCSA's 2015 conference location at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa

Registration ends soon for theNetwork's Charting the Course Summer Summit in Austin -- June 16-17, 2014.
The Network
is sponsoring a state-wide Summit June 16-17, 2014, "Charting the Course."  This 1-1/2 day event features keynote speaker Mark McLeod and more than 45 breakout sessions on the standards of Operations, Finance, Governance, and Education. Charter school experts from the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Charter School Association and Education Service Centers, as well as leaders of charters in Texas will provide timely and valuable professional development. 

Visit the event page for more information about registration, hotel and to see the online sessions schedule.

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TCSA Houston Board Training Summit -- 6 Credit Hours
Saturday, June 14, 2014; 8:30AM--3:00PM
Neighborhood Centers: Chase Opportunity Center
6500 Rookin, Houston, Texas 77074
We are heading to Houston! TCSA invites you to participate in this high powered and dynamic presentation for charter school board members in the Houston area.  LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

TCSA Publishes 2014-2015 Training Catalog, Available for Download
Couldn't attend the Member Council Meeting? Don't worry! Be on the lookout for additional copies arriving at your local campuses. In the meantime, you can download a copy here and begin planning your staff development for the upcoming year! To request additional hard copies, please contact Art Serna, Director of Training Services.

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Need help predicting your 2014 State Accountability Rating?

STAAR student performance reports will be back soon. TCSA is happy to assist schools in predicting their Index scores for the 2014 Accountability Ratings. TCSA's hourly rate of $85/hour applies. For more information, contact Toni Templeton, TCSA Data Analyst. 



The Texas Charter Schools Association Charter School Business Officer Certification (CSBOC) program takes the diverse, complex and ever changing responsibilities of a Charter Business Officer and creates an environment where you learn the responsibilities, competencies and strategic vision to ensure your charter school is viable, stable, fiscally sound and has a foundation of continuous improvement and growth. The certification program is a combination of online courses, live training days, and documentation workshop days. All training classes are open to everyone and fulfill required credit hours. Trainings also count toward the program if you choose to pursue certification.   

Starting a Charter School Advanced Workshop 
Friday, July 11, 2014; 9AM--5PM
TCSA Training Room 
700 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas 78701  
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. Ideal for individuals/teams seeking Texas specific information about the charter application process and selected categories of the application submitted to TEA, who meet the state criteria to apply for a Generation 20 charter and are in a position to submit an application (e.g., 501(c)(3) determination letter, fund raising, etc.). REGISTER 

Charter Application Consulting Services for Generation 19-20 Charter Applications -- TCSA Deadlines 
 
Charter Application Interview Preparation Services for Generation 19 Applicants - Be Prepared Today!
TCSA's team of charter school experts breaks down the dos and don'ts of the TEA and SBOE interview process. We provide you with the best in class support for your team to prepare a compelling message for your final stage in the charter application process. (Service fees apply) Written intent to enroll in services due to TCSA by June 23, 2014 -- email Art Serna to indicate interest. By June 23, you must have completed the online application

Charter Application Development Support Service for Generation 20 Applications - OPEN NOW! 
In this full service process (e.g., 6-9 months), TCSA's charter school experts work with the charter hopeful in a series of strategic one-on-one training and application development support sessions to help the applicant create the best application possible for Texas requirements. Real-time feedback and steering during the application development process - do it right the first time. (Service fees apply) Written intent to enroll in services due to TCSA by July 25, 2014 -- email Art Serna to indicate interest. By July 25, you must have completed the online application.     
job post of the week
NYOS Charter School
Austin, Texas
Job ID: 799142 -- ELEMENTARY SPECIAL EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Job ID: 799152 -- CAFETERIA MONITOR
Job ID: 799162 -- 7TH GRADE MATH TEACHER
Job ID: 795722 -- MATHEMATICS WTIH SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

 


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2012-2013 Final Summary of Finances
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Guidance for Rider 71 Temporary Teacher Retirement System Contribution Assistance for Fiscal Year 2015
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TEA Help Desk Now Available for Grant-Related Questions
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