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

Title III Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Requirements

Involving parents can be challenging, especially when language and cultural barriers are involved. Whether you are in a shared service arrangement (SSA) or receive Title III funds directly, you are required to provide parental engagement activities specifically targeted towards your Emergent Bilingual learners’ families. Today’s article will assist charters with understanding what qualifies as parent, … Read More

Title I Paraprofessional Requirements

Summer is coming and soon you will be hiring for next year! As you look to acquire new talent, please be aware of the qualifications that Title I-funded instructional paraprofessionals must possess. The “highly qualified” requirements for Title I-funded instructional paraprofessionals were retained when NCLB was reauthorized as ESSA. TEA has forms to complete when … Read More

Random Validations Begin – Title I, II, and IV

It is highly doubtful you are raising your hand shouting “pick me” for random validation of your federal program compliance. Face it, it’s not like winning the lotto! You can rest easy that if you are selected, you do have time and assistance to prepare. Read on to find out what the random validations will … 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

Program Checkup – Title II, Part A

This is the second in a series of program checkups. Click here for the first article on Title I, Part A. New Year’s is a time to get healthy, so why not take a look at the health of your LEA’s federal programs? CSS continues its series of program checkups regarding federal program requirements with … Read More