ESSA Required Meetings for 2024-25

It’s April, and preparations for next year are in full swing! A few weeks ago, CSS published an article about the Collaborative Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CCNA). Along with the CCNA, planning meetings prior to submitting your grant application are “musts” on your to-do list. Documentation from these meetings are primary documents pulled in random validations, … Read More

TCLAS Grant Changes and Possible Survey Due April 6, 2024

If you have funding from more than one TCLAS decision, the information in today’s article might come as good news for you! TEA is allowing money to be moved between TCLAS decisions in some cases. However, if you wish to do so, you must complete a survey by April 6! No TCLAS funds? You can … Read More

New Grant Opportunities in eGrants

You might have noticed some new grants appear in your eGrants screen recently under “Grants/Apply for eligible grants.”  Oddly enough, you might not even be eligible. This article is to explain the grants and how to respond in eGrants to either apply or reject them.  Action is required by all Charter Districts. What is the … Read More

ESSER Annual Reporting Due Feb 16, 2024

CSS previously ran this tip in November; however, we are releasing it again as a reminder because the deadline is near! The clock is winding down for ESSER funds. Someday the paperwork will come to an end too, but not this year! This is not the first year of ESSER annual reporting (APR), but just … Read More

Need-to-Knows about State and Federal Report Cards

Schools are all about grading, but sometimes the schools are graded themselves. This is the case with the Federal Report Cards. Please be aware that the Texas Education Agency produces TWO types of report cards annually – the School (State) Report Card (SRC) and the Federal Report Card (FRC). Usually, CSS distributes this tip with … Read More

Title I School Improvement Grant and Comprehensive Ratings

Update: The Title I School Improvement grant is now open in eGrants. For campuses with Comprehensive Progress or Comprehensive Reidentified ratings, you should see the grant in eGrants if eligible. Please read below for CSS’ previous tip from November. The Legislature can’t seem to get enough of Austin, and the A-F ratings are tied up … Read More

ESSA Basic Program Requirements: Fiscal and Program 

Federal funds don’t just provide money to your schools. They create programs. By focusing on solid programs, you can add to your school’s repertoire and improve your ability to serve students. But programs funded by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are regulated by many rules that can seem confusing at times. As a savvy … Read More

Implementing the New EDGAR: Travel Costs

For any program to be successful, having well-trained teachers to implement it is a must. For this reason, travel is often necessary in federal programs. However, there are many rules and regulations about paying travel expenses using grant funds. The LEA must have written travel procedures and detailed documentation of travel expenses. Travel can be … Read More

Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant

Are you in need of more funding to meet the school safety standards? A new grant opportunity was released last week that is the third in a series of recent state grants aimed at enhancing school facilities to protect students from violence. You may have previously received the SPAT (Silent Panic Alert Technology), and the … Read More