July 25, 2014

The Texas Education Agency and The State Board of Education held interviews this week for Generation 19 Charter Applicants. There were a total of 10 charter interviews. The Commissioner of Education will award these charters next month. The Gen 19 charters will be confirmed at the September State Board of Education Meeting. Photo: Goodwill Central Texas (Excel Academy) Interview.

A Big TCSA Thank YOU!

Thank you to our charter leaders who stood up in support of charter schools during testimony today at the TEA hearing. It was last minute notice, but we appreciate your attendance. In addition, thank you to all our member schools who participated in the series of conference calls this week to discuss the proposed Commissioner Rules. Though the hearing is today, the deadline to submit written comments is Monday, August 18th -- so there is still time to make your voice heard.

Review the proposed rules: Proposed Rules: Chapter 100 (PDF) DOWNLOAD
Proposed Rules: Chapter 157 (PDF) DOWNLOAD

As part of the charter school community, we value your input on these important rules, and it provides a significant addition to our overall public comments. Contact Tracy Young for more information.

Upcoming TCSA Training Opportunities

NEW! Aug 14 -- (Lewisville) TCSA Performance Pack Workshop presented by TCSA Regional Trainers, Dr. Lisa Stanley and Martina P. Van Norden REGISTER
NEW! Aug 15 -- (Houston) TCSA Performance Pack Workshop presented by TCSA Regional Trainers, Dr. Jacqueline Lookabough and Linda Murphy REGISTER

Sept 9 -- Live Webinar: Operations and Maintenance 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

Sept 11 - Live Webinar: Safety REGISTER
Sept 16 -- Live Webinar: Emergency Disaster Planning REGISTER
Sept 18 -- Live Webinar: Risk Management REGISTER
Sept 19 -- (Austin) Starting a Charter School Beginner Workshop REGISTER
Sept 23 -- (Houston) Insurance, Contract Management, and Facility Lease Provision REGISTER
Sept 24 -- (Houston) Documentation Workshop: Risk Management Manual REGISTER

Commissioner Williams seeks extension of ESEA waiver and extends teacher, principal evaluation and support systems pilot -- TEA Press Release
In Houston, traditional public school shares ideas and a roof with charter schools -- PBS Newshour (KIPP Houston, YES Prep)
Legacy Prep buys former Haverty's building to open a new school -- Dallas Business Journal (Legacy Prep)
Elevating Pre-K -- Houston Chronicle Editorial
EDITORIAL: Charter school trips, like charters themselves, need balance -- Beaumont Enterprise
In southwest Arlington, new charter school buildings to welcome students in August -- Arlington Citizen-Journal (International Leadership of Texas)
High-Performing Charter Schools May Improve Students' Health -- Texas Public Radio
Charter Schools, Money And Test Scores -- Texas Public Radio
Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 8 to 10 -- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Press Release

President's Award for Educational Achievement

The purpose of this award is to recognize academic success in the classroom.This award is given at the principal's discretion based on the criteria developed at the school. The criteria should reflect the purpose of the award and must be applied fairly to all students. The following are examples of criteria for which the President's Award for Educational Achievement may be presented:

Show tremendous growth but did not meet all the criteria for the President's Award for Educational Excellence.
Demonstrate unusual commitment to learning in academics despite various obstacles.
Maintain a school record that would have met the school's selection criteria for the President's Award for Educational Excellence but illness, personal crisis, or special needs prevented the student from maintaining such high standards despite hard work.
Achieve high scores or show outstanding growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in particular subjects, such as English, math, science, etc.
Demonstrate achievement in the arts such as music or theater.

APPLICATION INFO

TCSA CONTRACT TRAINER (PART-TIME)
Texas Charter Schools Association
San Antonio and Rio Grande Valley

Job ID: 608182 Application Deadline: Posted until Filled
Re-posted: May 29, 2014 Starting Date: August 5, 2014

SAVE THE DATE
Member Council Meeting

Friday, September 5, 2014
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Austin, TX

TEA launches federal grant flexibility initiative Read the Press Release

The 2014-2015 Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) is now available

2014-2015 List of Approved Tests for Assessment of English Language Learners
Read the Letter.