What is the latest on federal funding for school improvement? The list of schools in need of improvement under the federal system was released on August 14, 2025. Similar to LASO 3 last year, funding for schools identified for improvement will become part of the LASO Cycle 4 grant. As usual, intervention activities and written … Read More
Completing the 2024-25 ESSA Compliance Report
CSS is redistributing the compliance report tip as a friendly reminder that it is due September 30, 2025! The prior year is not truly complete in the federal world until compliance reporting is complete. The back-to-school rush is at hand, but annual compliance reporting for Title funds is upon us! With a due date of … Read More
2023 State Report Card Dissemination
Be ready this year with an influx of report card distributions. Due to the 2022-23 and 2023-24 state accountability ratings being released late after a drawn-out court challenge, the state report cards (SRCs) are just now being released by TEA. In the prior two years, the FEDERAL report cards were still distributed, but the State … Read More
Risk Level Assessment for 2025-26
Low is usually good when you step on the scale, but you know what else you want to be low? Your risk level with TEA! Federal regulations require TEA to annually evaluate each grant recipient’s risk of noncompliance with the federal statutes, rules, terms, and conditions of their award. To comply with this requirement, TEA … Read More
Title I School-Parent Compact
You’ve probably heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same is true about educating a child. When schools and parents work together, we see greater student success. Parents and schools agree that we want our students to be successful. One of the ways to help our students achieve academic success … Read More
Title I Parent & Family Engagement Policy
Education is a partnership between the school and the home; however, building effective partnerships can be a challenge. Schools must consciously reach out and plan for ways to engage families. For Title I schools, it can be a bigger challenge with parents facing barriers related to poverty. For these reasons, having a comprehensive plan and … Read More
Phone-Free Schools Grant
Controversial as the cell phone ban decision was, your school year may be starting with less cell phone hassles from students. As you know, the legislature passed a law (HB 1481) banning cell phones and other personal devices, such as smart watches and ear buds, in the classroom. Hopefully, you have your school system policy … Read More
EDGAR Part II: Allowable Costs and Procurement
In order to run a school system, you have to make purchases. There is a great deal of responsibility involved to make sure funding intended for the students is regulated with care. An added layer of review is necessary when these purchases involve federal grant funds. Some charter districts are a one-man or two-man operation, … Read More
Title I Supplemental Methodology Requirement
Does your new budget year start September 1? CSS is re-running our previous tip about a Title I annual requirement. Many charter districts are starting new budget years on July 1, and planning for Title I funds must be part of the new budget year – especially if you have multiple campuses in the same … Read More
Travel Pay from Federal Grant Funds
For any program to be successful, having well-trained teachers to implement it is a must. For this reason, staff travel is often necessary in federal programs. However, there are many rules and regulations about paying travel using grant funds. The LEA must have written travel procedures and detailed documentation of travel expenses. Travel can be … Read More