It may seem just like you just did time and effort in January, but it is almost time to do it again! With the end of the second semester imminent, CSS is here once again to remind you to do your time and effort for all federally-funded and State Comp Ed staff. The purpose of … Read More
Title I Paraprofessional Requirements
As you get ready to hire and plan for next year, CSS has important information to share regarding the qualifications of paraprofessionals on a Title I schoolwide campus. Whether you currently have Title I paraprofessionals or you are looking to add new ones, ALL instructional paraprofessionals on a schoolwide campus must meet highly-qualified requirements prior … Read More
When to Amend Federal Grants
Failing to amend a grant can be a costly mistake when grants are winding down and you are trying to finalize draw-downs. Before your grants end this year, CSS recommends that you make sure the remaining funds are budgeted where you need them in Expenditure Reporting. Perhaps your summer plans have changed, an added expense … Read More
College Exam Fees Reimbursements 2024-25
Do your juniors and seniors know they get one free SAT, ACT, or TSIA administration? Since 2019, HB3 funding has removed barriers to college access by providing district reimbursements for the administration of the SAT/ACT/and TSIA once per student. Charter districts have already been given estimated funding for this in the 2024-25 Summary of Finances … Read More
Campus Improvement Plan or Charter Instructional Plan (CIP)
Would you travel to a destination without a plan or a road map? Probably not. And just like a road map, your Campus Improvement Plan or Charter Instructional Plan (CIP) provides your team with a pathway to define your goals, create evidence-based strategies to target the goals, and determine how they will be monitored and … Read More
ESSA Required Meetings for 2025-26
Spring is in the air, and the arrival of April makes it imperative that planning for 2025-26 begins. Previously, CSS posted a tip about beginning the Annual Comprehensive Needs Assessment, and today’s article is closely related to this topic. Before staff is gone for summer, several meetings need to take place to meet compliance and … Read More
Alternative Education Accountability (AEA) Registration
Accountability systems can be unbalanced for schools with high at-risk populations, so Texas allows for alternative accountability evaluations for schools that meet certain criteria. The registration window will open soon in TEAL to apply to be a Dropout Recovery School which will qualify you for alternate accountability measures. This is especially important for charters to … Read More
AskTED Data Updates
Busy school administrators need to stay informed, but how do you make sure that you get important information coming out of TEA? One of the main ways is by updating AskTED, the online Texas Education Directory (TED). AskTED is the primary source used by TEA and other agencies to direct communications to the school’s administration and … Read More
Collaborative Comprehensive Needs Assessment for 2025-26 (CCNA)
We know it’s not even spring break yet, but it’s not too early to begin planning for next year! The time is now to set up meeting dates for your annual Comprehensive Needs Assessment that leads to your 2025-26 District and Campus Improvement Plans! Make a plan for gathering data since campuses must first look … Read More