January 23, 2015

School leaders, students, parents, and teachers celebrated the opening of the Harmony School of Innovation-Austin on Thursday. Email TCSA about your school's news and celebrations.
Record charter districts with top FAST ratings
Charter schools made up a record 39 percent of the public school districts honored by the Texas Comptroller's Office for their five-star scores on the 2014 FAST rating (Financial Allocation Study for Texas). Texas' charter schools educate about four percent of the public school students in Texas, but public charter districts represented nearly 40 percent of the districts showing strong academic growth and fiscal responsibility, according to the 2014 FAST results.
TCSA congratulates those 18 charter school districts for doing such a stellar job for their students!

 

TCSA congratulates those 18 charter school districts for doing such a stellar job for their students! Those honored charter districts include: Accelerated Intermediate Academy, Alief Montessori Community School, Arlington Classics Academy, Cumberland Academy, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, Golden Rule Charter School, Harmony School of Excellence, Harmony School of Science (Houston), Houston Gateway Academy, Life School, Lighthouse Charter School, Midland Academy Charter School, School of Science and Technology, Stephen F. Austin University Charter School, Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies, Treetops School International, Vanguard Academy and Zoe Learning Academy.   

National School Choice Week kicks off Sunday
People across the country will be speaking out about the need for more educational options in more than 11,000 National School Choice Week events beginning Jan. 25 through Jan. 30. In an effort to promote free, public school options in Texas, hundreds of TCSA member school students, parents and teachers will be at the Texas Capitol Jan. 30 as part of a National School Choice Week rally. TCSA invites all charter school advocates to join their voices by attending the rally, write to their lawmakers, and share their views. Join the conversation at Texas Charter Parent Teacher Alliance.  Advocacy is an invaluable tool when working to increase access to public charter schools for all students.
Austin: In-Person Professional Development Series
Mark Your Calendars! Don't miss out on TCSA's three-day in-person professional development training in Austin next month that caters to charter school board members, superintendents, finance officers, principals and teachers.
  • Feb. 11 - The training will cover schools governance and operations.
  • Feb. 12 - Training will address federal and state charter school matters that impact students. 
  • Feb. 13 - Academic officers, principals and teachers will receive training on how to use data to meet students' academic needs from the University of Texas Institute for Public School Initiatives. 

Sign up for one day or come to all three! 

register now 


Expense Coding and Accounting: January 27, 2015
At the completion of this session, attendees know how to code expenses. They will understand how to decide fund, function, object codes as well as the program intent codes. We will review common expenses and expenses that typically cause questions. And most importantly, resources will be provided so that attendees know where to go with any questions that arise regarding expense coding. Register Now and Find More Information.

2013-2014 Charter FIRST: January 28, 2015 
Charter FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System Texas) is the financial rating system of Texas Charter Schools. The purpose of the financial accountability rating system is to ensure that open-enrollment charter schools are held accountable for the quality of the financial management practices and achieve improved performance in the management of their financial resources. This session will discuss the proposed changes to the financial accountability rating system and how to calculate, track and trend the indicators for best practices of financial management. Register Now and Find More Information.

Accounts Payable: January 29, 2015
An efficient accounts payable system (process and procedures) is invaluable. At the completion of this session, attendees will understand how to review their AP system and assess areas for potential fraud, as well as areas for efficiency improvement. The compliance associated with accounts payable as it relates to NCLB, State Compensatory Education (SCE) funds and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) will be reviewed. Register Now and Find More Information.
Last week to avoid late fees! Renew your TCSA membership! Accelerate student achievement and strengthen effective charter operations through targeted trainings, legal advice, access to the Quality Member Portal and passionate advocacy in the Texas legislature. Membership also offers discounts of up to 50 percent on TCSA products and services. 

Become a TCSA member school before Jan. 31 and avoid late fees! Contact Erin Tholen to pay by credit card.
CharterEducatorOpps

Explore UT: Bus registration opens
On March 7, Explore UT will offer more than 400 hands-on learning activities, lectures, films, music performances, crafts, science experiments and demonstrations, and exhibits. You can also tour residence halls, labs, and libraries and see world-famous libraries and museums on campus. See the full list and descriptions of activities.

Bus registration is now open! Don't forget to submit your form and order lunch
charter news
job post of the week
Texas Charter Schools Association  
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 
Austin, Texas

Job ID: 1230292   Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: January 19, 2015     Starting Date: Immediately

TEA logo

calendar
Upcoming Deadline: Special Education Shared Services Arrangement Membership
This is a reminder of an upcoming special education deadline for LEAs planning a change to their special education shared services arrangements (SSAs) for 2015-2016. LEAs making either of the following changes must notify TEA by February 1, 2015. 

Don't forget! Audited annual financial reports are due to the TEA by Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Sponsorship Opportunities  
Want to get your name and services known in the charter school realm? TCSA is looking for a company sponsor for its Member Council Meeting on Feb. 26. 

For more information, contact TCSA Member Services Associate Erin Tholen by email or at 512-584-8272 ext. 316. 

Throughout the year there are ways both large and small that corporations can partner with TCSA. Whether it's sponsoring a meeting or training session or placing an ad, TCSA will work with your budget and goals. Sponsorship provides a unique opportunity for companies and organizations to engage with charter school operators while supporting your marketing objectives.