Why it Matters Generative AI is showing up everywhere, from lesson planning to grading helpers, and staff are using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot whether schools are ready or not. To protect student data, support innovation, and stay compliant with FERPA and Texas Education Code, now is the time to add an AI section to … Read More
Beginning of Year Activities for Federal Programs
The 2025-26 school year is in sight, and it’s time to get organized to start the year off right! Planning and parental engagement are at the top of the list for the new year of federal programs, especially Title I. The CSS BOY Checklist will keep you in compliance with all the back-to-school federal requirements. … Read More
Don’t Get Caught Off Guard: New Board Meeting and Public Info Rules for 2025-26
Starting September 1, 2025, sweeping changes to board meeting practices and public information requests will go into effect for all Texas open-enrollment charter schools. These legislative updates reflect a push for transparency, accessibility, and parent engagement. Now is the time to prepare. With parent engagement and public transparency at the forefront of recent legislative changes, … Read More
Title I, Part A Overview
Title I is the largest program under ESSA, and understanding how it works can be a challenge, especially if you are new. Do you want to hear about Title I in a nutshell? Having a Title I program can provide many benefits for your school, so it pays to be “in the know” about how … Read More
Special Education Consolidated (Federal) Grant Application
Meeting the needs of special education students can be expensive for schools. Fortunately, the federal grant known as IDEA B is available to public schools to help fund IEP-related services for students. The Special Education Consolidated (Federal) Grant application is available now in eGrants and is due no later than 5:00 p.m. September 3, 2025 … Read More
What Does It Take to Be a Successful Charter HR Professional?
Today’s HR Tip is an interview with an HR Expert – Charter School Success’s very own Jordan Elliott. Read below for Jordan’s valuable insights from her career as an HR professional How did you get into the field of HR in education? My real love for HR evolved while I was serving as Superintendent of … Read More
EDGAR Part 1: Administrative Procedures
No doubt, Federal grant funds can provide great benefits for your students. From additional interventions to added technology, the possibilities are many, but programs funded by the USDE-issued grants such as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and IDEA-B are regulated by many rules that can be difficult to understand. As a savvy administrator, you want … Read More
Completing Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials for 2025-26
Annually, public schools including charters must certify that all students have access to instructional materials covering all the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects except PE. This spring, TEA is strongly recommending this process be complete by May 1, 2025. The TEKS certification must be ratified by Board action, so CSS … Read More
HB1605 Instructional Materials Funding
Recently, you may have noticed that your EMAT shows additional Entitlements when you log into TEAL. These two entitlements are a result of funds allocated in HB1605 from the previous legislative session. HB1605 provided an allotment of $40 per student to spend on approved vendors for curriculum and instructional related materials. (These funds will carry … Read More
FLSA Overtime Rule Has Been Updated – Significant Changes
Note that the FLSA Salary Threshold Changes Have Been Struck Down! On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced an updated, final rule for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Changes to minimum salary threshold are scheduled to go into effect in a series of stages, with the first change … Read More