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 effective July 1, 2024, then January 1, 2025, then every 3 … 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
Reporting Requirements for the Annual Report and 2022-23 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)
The new year kicks off with multiple reporting requirements. On December 15, 2023, TEA released the annual TAPR reports. The federal report cards were released too, and the state report cards are coming soon. In addition, right before the holidays, CSS released a tip about the annual update of the HB 3 Board Goals. Your … 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
What is Required for Submission of the Charter School Certification of Fingerprinting Compliance?
It’s time for your charter school to complete the Annual Fingerprinting Certification and Statement of Compliance, due to TEA by December 8, 2023. Background Information The 2007 Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 9 requiring fingerprint-based criminal background reviews for certain school employees in Texas Public schools. Senate Bill 9 is codified in Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter … Read More
The Annual Governance Reporting Requirement for Charter Schools
TEA collects information about charter school board members and school officers each year, as required by Texas law and outlined in TEC 12.119(b). This year’s deadline is December 1, 2023! The 2023-2024 Annual Governance Reporting Form for Open-Enrollment Charter Schools is due no later than Friday, December 1, Charters must submit this information through the … Read More
Dyslexia Law Updates
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the recent changes to the dyslexia laws? If so, you are not alone! On June 10, 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3928 which prompted many changes to the way we approach dyslexia evaluation, identification, and instruction. At this time, the Student Board of Education (SBOE) is in the … Read More
Calculating Charter FIRST
Charter FIRST is the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), which is detailed in Texas Education Code 39.082. The purpose and goal of having a financial accountability rating system is to ensure that open enrollment charter schools continually strive to improve the management of their financial resources and provide transparency and openly report results to … 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