June 27, 2014

David Dunn, TCSA Executive Director (far left) testified in support of public charter schools at the Sunset Review of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) on Tuesday at the Capitol.

Education Week wants your input for a special report proﬁling school district leaders who have brought fresh, successful ideas to their school communities. Fill out the form to submit a nominee. Note that nominees should be district-level personnel. Nominations are due August 1, 2014.

Fighting Childhood Hunger through School Breakfast

Did you know schools have the ability to feed every student breakfast every day? Students who eat breakfast have better school attendance, improved test scores, and less discipline issues than their counterparts who miss this beneficial meal. While many students have access to breakfast at home, breakfast at school is an additional option for those who would otherwise miss this meal. Learn more about Universal School Breakfast, and the unique programs that can be found in Texas schools.

Seeking Input from Charter Schools on Title I Allocations and the School Lunch Program

Title I allocations to charter schools: The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is developing a webinar to address basic Title I funding issues, including data requirements and how allocations are calculated. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your Title I funding, please contact the NAPCS.

School lunch: Congress will likely take up the reauthorization of the law governing the school lunch program in 2015. NAPCS would like to hear from you if you have had any difficulty with this program, such as with reimbursement rates, or general bureaucratic requirements. NAPCS wants to make sure that the views of the charter school community are fully represented during consideration of this law.

Advantage Academy becomes one of the first charter schools in Texas to access Permanent School Fund guarantee -- Grand Prairie Reporter (Advantage Academy)
Judge John Dietz can stay on school-finance case, judge rules -- Austin American Statesman
America is finally wising up about teacher training -- Dallas Morning News Opinion
Graduating Against the Odds -- US News and World Report Op Ed (Uplift Peak Preparatory High School, Dallas)
A 'Major Shift' In Oversight Of Special Education -- Texas Public Radio
Ignite charter school fills career-oriented niche -- Brownsville Herald (Ignite Public Schools)
Life School Valedictorians Receive Dr. Tom Wilson Scholarship -- Press Release (Life School)
Mark Martin of Premier High School talks about his charter school program -- KFYO News Talk Radio (Premier High Schools)

Upcoming TCSA Training Opportunities

July 11 -- (Austin) Starting a Charter School Advanced Workshop REGISTER
August 5 -- Technology Management Overview (Live Webinar) REGISTER
August 7 -- Web Posting Compliance (Live Webinar) REGISTER
August 19 -- (Dallas) Technology Erate, Long Range Planning & Web Posting Compliance REGISTER
August 20 -- (Dallas) Documentation Workshop: Technology Planning and Compliance Manual REGISTER
Sept 10,11,12 -- (Houston) In-Person Professional Development Series REGISTER multiple attendees for one or more days!

DAY 1: Governance & Operations Summit, sponsored by Schulman, Lopez and Hoffer, LLP
DAY 2: Student Rights Summit, sponsored by Schulman, Lopez and Hoffer, LLP
DAY 3: Academics & Instruction: Explicit Instruction, presented by The University of Texas at Austin (The Institute for Public School Initiatives) and sponsored by Hertz Furniture Calendar a Staff Development Day

Call for Presentations Open June 1 through July 15

The Texas Charter Schools 2014 Conference Committee is now ACCEPTING PRESENTATION PROPOSALS. TCSA is looking for engaging presenters and sessions that focus on quality practices in education and to engage attendees in dialogue about cutting edge trends, issues and solutions. Participation as a presenter will help attendees increase their leadership skills and professional competence, provide for an exchange of ideas and solutions and help attendees address the issues and challenges facing the Texas charter schools community.

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.

Only 3 Days Left! Discounted Exhibitor Registration Closes June 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. Download the Exhibitor Prospectus.

Participate in TRS Active-Care? Tune in! Texas House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Article III Hearing

Thursday, July 10, 2014; 10:00 AM
PLACE: E1.030
Invited Testimony only Watch the hearing live.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL:
BEHAVIOR PROGRAM

KIPP Austin College Prep

Austin, Texas

Job ID: 877302	Application Deadline: July 17, 2014
Posted: June 24, 2014	Starting Date: July 17, 2014

Couldn't attend the May Member Council Meeting? Don't worry! 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.

Reporting Requirements for Community and Student Engagement Indicators

Official Notification of 2014 Preliminary Charter School FIRST Rating

Official Notification of 2014 Preliminary School FIRST Rating