September 5, 2014

Win Prizes for your School!

We want to know why you love your school. Tell your school story in a 60-90 second video, and submit it along with a 500-word essay to enter the statewide contest. The winning entries will premiere at the 2014 annual charter conference in Houston, Texas. Encourage friends and family of your school to vote online to win. Winners will be selected by combined popular vote and a juried committee.
Learn More and Read the Rules

Important Dates:

Submission of Intent to Participate -- September 26, 2014
Video/Essay Submission Deadline (online form) -- October 17, 2014
Voting Period -- October 24--November 21, 2014
Winners Announced -- December 10, 2014

Share Your Thoughts on Public Charter Schools with Speaker Straus: joe@joestraus.org

"Nothing is more important to the success of our state than education. Over the last couple of years, we in the Texas House have put more resources into public schools while also reducing the burden of excessive standardized testing. We've also taken steps to better prepare students for success in our fast-changing economy. As we head into the legislative session that begins in January, I want to hear your ideas about ways to improve public education in Texas, so please contact me at joe@joestraus.org and share your thoughts. Again, congratulations to students and parents for a successful return to school. I wish you all the best for the upcoming year.

Mandatory Federal Data Collection Process Launched

Every public school and school district is required to participate in the 2013-14 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) survey. Data from this survey is used for administering and enforcing civil rights statutes, and is used by other offices within the U.S. Department of Education, as well as policymakers and researchers. Similar to the last collection process for 2011-12, the CRDC school level information includes student enrollment and educational programs and services, disaggregated by race/ethnicity, sex, limited English proficiency and disability. Charter schools that are part of a LEA will report through its school district. Charter schools that are LEAs are responsible for collecting and recording its data. Click here for more information, including key deadlines and filing requirements. In addition, schools should check whether the data posted for their school by the Office of Civil Rights is accurate based on the 2011-12 collection process. The 2011-12 data is available online for review here.

Need help appealing your 2014 State Accountability Rating?

The preliminary 2014 State Accountability Ratings were released to schools last month and schools have until September 9th to get their appeals in to TEA. We can help with the Appeal Analysis. TCSA's hourly member rate of $85/hour applies. For more information, contact Toni Templeton, TCSA Data Analyst.

In wake of judge's ruling, uncertainty prevails over school funding -- Houston Chronicle
GOP majority resists calls for swift action on Texas' school funding -- Dallas Morning News
California: A Case Study for Charter School Success -- EducationNext Opinion-Editorial
KIPP Academy teacher on a mission for spring trip (KIPP Academy) -- KHOU
New charter school offers alternative approach to education (Premier HS Amarillo) -- Connect Amarillo
Harmony charter school nabs Texas STEM designation (Harmony) -- Community Impact
Garland's International Leadership of Texas charter school welcomes Chinese exchange students (IL Texas) -- Dallas Morning News
Adults can earn free high school diploma from Austin charter school (Goodwill Excel) -- Austin American-Statesman

Upcoming TCSA Training Opportunities

Sept 9 -- Live Webinar: Operations and Maintenance REGISTER

Last Opportunity! 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 HOT TOPIC AGENDA ITEM! Participants will be guided through learning and group discussions that will empower them to begin their plans for interventions for all students based on 2014 State Accountability Results.
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 23 -- Live Webinar: Charter School Academic and Financial Compliance Primer REGISTER
Sept 24 -- (Houston) SPEAKER CHANGE Documentation Workshop: Risk Management Manual REGISTER
Sept 24 -- Live Webinar: Charter School Employment Primer REGISTER
Sept 25 -- Live Webinar: Charter School Regulatory Compliance Primer REGISTER
Sept 26 -- Live Webinar: Charter School Audit Primer REGISTER

In-Person Professional Development Series Trainings will be held at the Isla Grand Beach Resort in South Padre Island on October 1-3, 2014.

Oct 1,2,3 -- (South Padre Island) In-Person Professional Development Series

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

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance

On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks. To find opportunities to serve during this year's September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance, you can look for projects using the "Find volunteer opportunities" tool. Or, to organize a service project in your area, find toolkits and other resources here.

September is National Preparedness Month

During the month of September, public charter schools can take part in National Preparedness Month as a reminder that everyone must take action to prepare for emergencies. This year's theme is "Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare."

A great tool to use from Ready.gov: The collaboration between the ReadyCampaign and Flatter World and the Flat Stanley Project to help educate school-aged children on the need to be prepared for emergencies and disasters, as well as what they can do to help their families and loved ones to build more resilient households.

Preschool Development Grants

The Preschool Development Grants competition supports States to (1) build or enhance a preschool program infrastructure that would enable the delivery of high-quality preschool services to children, and (2) expand high-quality preschool programs in targeted communities that would serve as models for expanding preschool to all 4-year-olds from low- and moderate-income families. These grants would lay the groundwork to ensure that more States are ready to participate in the Preschool for All formula grant initiative proposed by the Administration. Learn More.

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New National Alliance Resource! Federal Funding Opportunities for Public Charter Schools

The National Alliance has a new document that provides an overview of ten federal education grant programs that charter schools may be eligible to apply for (depending upon LEA status). These programs are being highlighted because they are well-funded and have regular competitions. The document outlines basic information for each program, including funding estimates, timelines and key dates as well as links to additional resources. Click here to view Federal Funding Opportunities for Public Charter Schools and please share with your schools and partners.

Accounting Manager
Uplift Education
Irving, Texas

Job ID: 1045272 Application Deadline: Posted until Filled
Posted: September 3, 2014 Starting Date: Immediately

Performance-Based Monitoring Update:

2014 Leaver Records Data Validation Manual

Reporting Requirements for Economic Disadvantage Code Read More

New Campus Charter Schools Established by Independent School Districts Under Texas Education Code, Chapter 12, Subchapter C Read More

Important Changes to the Texas Assessment Program in the 2014-2015 School Year Read the Changes