The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the 2025–26 Annual Do Not Hire Registry (DNHR) Certification and Statement of Compliance, and charter schools must act to remain in compliance. What Is Required? Under Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 22A, educational entities must: Access and utilize the Do Not Hire Registry Refuse to hire or accept … Read More
Reporting Requirements for the Annual Report and 2024-25 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)
Now that the 90-day deadline is near, CSS would like to remind you to present the TAPR annual report to your Board. Please read our tip previously published on January 6, 2026. The New Year is here, and with it comes multiple public reporting requirements. As soon as you return to work, the clock is … Read More
Completing Time and Effort for Federally Funded Staff
If your New Year’s resolution was less paperwork, we do not have good news for you today. Do you have staff whose salary is funded by federal grant funds? January is the time of year to collect time and effort documentation. Time and effort is generally done semi-annually at the end of each semester (required … Read More
PIC Allotments from a Program Perspective
Imagine that someone asks you how much total you spent last year for Special Education. How would you pull that data? Well, in short, by PIC (program intent code) 23! If PIC codes are used correctly, you can track spending for any programs. PIC codes are often connected to funding allotments from the State, and … Read More
Important Upcoming TEA Deadlines
Federal regulations require TEA to annually evaluate each grant recipient’s risk of noncompliance with the federal statutes, rules, terms, and conditions of their award.
Random Validations Begin – Title I, II, and IV
This October may bring more a trick than a treat if you are selected for program monitoring validations on your ESSA-funded programs! The good news is that if you are picked, you will have until almost Christmas to submit the paperwork. If you weren’t selected last year and aren’t selected this year, you can bet … Read More
Special Education Teacher Certification
Filling vacancies in teaching positions could be a challenge, especially when it comes to special education. When it comes to certification, charter schools must go by their approved charter EXCEPT when it comes to ESL and Special Education teachers. SPED and ESL teachers must be certified in all charters, so obtaining permits while teachers are … Read More
School Improvement Ratings, Funding, and LASO Grant Cycle 4
What is the latest on federal funding for school improvement? The list of schools in need of improvement under the federal system was released on August 14, 2025. Similar to LASO 3 last year, funding for schools identified for improvement will become part of the LASO Cycle 4 grant. As usual, intervention activities and written … Read More
Completing the 2024-25 ESSA Compliance Report
CSS is redistributing the compliance report tip as a friendly reminder that it is due September 30, 2025! The prior year is not truly complete in the federal world until compliance reporting is complete. The back-to-school rush is at hand, but annual compliance reporting for Title funds is upon us! With a due date of … Read More
Phone-Free Schools Grant
Controversial as the cell phone ban decision was, your school year may be starting with less cell phone hassles from students. As you know, the legislature passed a law (HB 1481) banning cell phones and other personal devices, such as smart watches and ear buds, in the classroom. Hopefully, you have your school system policy … Read More