Wading through the abundance of government funding that has become available in response to the COVID pandemic can feel like swimming in an ocean. Every time you turn around, a new wave is coming. Staying afloat is a challenge, but CSS is here to assist you with today’s lifesaving article that provides the basics about … Read More
NEW 2021 Travel Guidelines are now available
Travel has been largely stagnant since Covid hit, but people are starting to venture back out to in-person meetings and events. CSS wants to make sure you are up to date on the most current travel rates. On April 1, 2021 school officials were notified by the TEA that the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts … Read More
Title I, Part A Paraprofessional Requirements
Clarity. Having a clear understanding of the often-murky waters of Title I regulations is a good thing! The Federal Program Compliance Division at TEA has recently posted updated guidance on the requirements for paraprofessional positions funded fully or in part by Title I, Part A federal grants. If you have any paraprofessionals, you will want … Read More
Random Validations – Title IV, Part A
This is the third in a series of program checkups. Click here for the first article on Title I, Part A, and click here for the second review on Title II, Part A. Collaboration and planning are key in ESSA program compliance, and Title IV is very similar to Title II regarding documenting your stakeholder … Read More
HB 3 Required School Board Plans and Goals
Has your Texas Charter School Board adopted the two required plans under House Bill 3 – Early Childhood Literacy/Math Plan (EC-LM) and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Plan? The original timeline was for both plans to be adopted and in place by the end of the 2019-20 school year, but the deadline has been … Read More
Special Education Fiscal Compliance Survey due November 6
The Special Education Fiscal Compliance Survey is due November 6, and must be completed by all Charters who receive IDEA B funds whether you receive SHARS funding or not. In the past, this report was only for SHARS participants; however, this year, the State is collecting data regarding 2019-20 expenditures in program intent code PIC … Read More
Mentor Program Allotment (MPA) Update
Update! CSS has new information about the Mentor Program Allotment Grant. The application is now available and can be found at https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/educator-initiatives-and-performance/mentor-program-allotment. The deadline to apply for this optional grant is June 8, 2020. Please be aware that there are summer requirements of the grant prior to funding being received. For more information, please read … Read More
2020-21 Indirect Cost Rate Request
The last thing you need is another task to complete this spring, right? No worries! This task is easy, and it can help you get back some money and spend federal grant funds at the same time! Today’s tip is about how to go about requesting an indirect cost rate. Indirect Cost are the costs … Read More
New! College Exam Fees Reimbursements
Prom, senior pictures, class rings, graduation invitations… the list goes on and on. Parents of seniors may feel the need to take out a second mortgage! While schools can’t help with everything, the good news is that there is now funding for SAT, ACT, TSIA, and industry-based certification (IBC) exams. Reimbursements were authorized under House … Read More
Full Day Prekindergarten Waiver
CSS has received urgent updates regarding the Full-Day Prekindergarten Waiver we previously released. The deadline has been extended from March 2, 2020 to April 6, 2020. TEA has issued additional clarification from the commissioner regarding charter schools, the waiver, and their prekindergarten status. CLICK HERE Charters that are approved to have PK as a grade … Read More