Region 11 Charter School News
Keeping you informed and safe for Back-to-School 2020!
August 1 - TEA's Charter Student Admission Application (CSAA)
During the 86th Legislative session, the provisions for the adoption of a statewide common admission application for open-enrollment charter schools was passed as well as guidelines for charter schools to use wait lists if they receive more applications from students than they have available positions. These application and wait list requirements can be found in the Texas Education Code (TEC) §§12.117, 12.1171, 12.1173, and 12.1174.
- All open-enrollment charter schools in Texas must use the CSAA in their student application processes no later than August 1, 2020.
- Charter schools may not alter the CSAA.
- During the initial application process, no additional information other than what is required on the CSAA is to be requested from or provided by the parent, including discipline records, health records, academic records, address verification, social security verification, or a birth certificate.
Charter School Admission and Enrollment Guidance 2020-2021 School Year - Frequently asked questions about using the Charter Student Admission Application (CSAA)
August 1 - Charter School Campus Calendar Submission
Date: July 9, 2020
Subject: Charter School Campus Calendar Submission
Category: Charter Schools
Next Steps: By August 1, 2020, complete calendar submission requirements
To facilitate charter holders completing the requirement for campus calendar submission, the division of Charter School Administration has developed an online calendar submission survey, which can be found by clicking the button below. Each charter superintendent/CEO or designee should complete and submit the online calendar survey. The online calendar survey must be completed and submitted to the agency electronically by August 1, 2020, for each campus operating in the 2020-2021 school year with its own County-District-Campus Number (CDCN).
ESC Region 11 Teacher of the Year – Virtual Awards Ceremony - August 3rd
Special EISO School Board Training Opportunities
Our School Board Training Services program would like to invite your school board members to attend Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes (EISO) for School Board Members (SB-1566/ HB-3) - Virtual. There are two virtual training session opportunities available in March for any board member or board candidate who needs to complete his or her EISO two-year update. Each participant will receive attendance credit to satisfy three hours of Level 4 School Board training and meet the TAC §61.1 (6)(C-G) - Evaluating student academic performance requirement.
Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes (EISO) -
[SB1566 (85th R), HB3 (86th R)] Virtual – 25562
August 8, 2020
https://registration.esc11.net/catalog/sessions/25562
or
Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes (EISO) -
[SB1566 (85th R), HB3 (86th R)] Virtual – 26166
August 26, 2020
September 30th through October 2nd - Texas Charter Schools Conference VIRTUAL
TCSACon 2020 is the only statewide gathering of 1,600+ leaders and innovators of Texas’ public charter schools. Here are just a few reasons to attend:
- You can choose from 60+ educational sessions on cutting-edge trends, best practices, challenges and solutions in public education, and in-depth advocacy and Texas Legislature insights for charter schools.
- It offers workshops with required training hours for board members and superintendents.
- Take advantage of priceless networking opportunities with charter schools leaders and educators, industry experts, and solution providers.
- Enjoy energizing and encouraging keynote speakers.
- Since it is virtual this year, your charter saves on travel and accommodations!
The Charter Schools Conference: The Power of Partnership
Wow! What a great conference and a great charter turnout! ESC Region 11 charter schools participated in BIG way, and your attendance made it a HUGE success! Thank you. We can’t express our gratitude enough to our expert presenters from within the service center and our colleagues from our amazing charter schools. Also, we want to extend our appreciation to the ESC Region 11 Charter School Advisory Board. These board members continue to give valuable input that shapes the training sessions and professional development opportunities offered at the service center.
Let’s continue this strong partnership! ESC Region 11 continues to be here for you in these unprecedented times. We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and be a thought partner for you as we go through a very uncertain upcoming school year. Click HERE to access our Digital Learning page, where you can find a wealth of resources for Blended Learning, Digital Media/Tools, Library Services, and Project-Based Learning.
I look forward to see you “virtually” in the many sessions offered this next school year and certainly anticipate the day when I can host face-to-face charter training sessions again!
Asynchronous Instructional Plans
Our Instructional Services Division has formed an Asynchronous Planning Team that is ready and willing to review your district plans and provide constructive feedback and support. They will be scheduling subsequent meetings and training sessions so that you are fully prepared to develop a plan that best suits your staff, students, and communities. To request assistance from this team, please click on the button below and fill out the work session request form.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Pam Brown
Sharon Wittsche
Update Our First Day of Instruction Survey
Several of our districts have indicated that their original school calendars and, specifically, the first day of instruction, have changed. Please assist us with keeping our records current by providing your updates to our survey. This survey form is set so that you may go back in and re-enter your information. A button for accessing the survey in order to update your start date is included below. Also included is a button that takes you to the survey results so that you can see what other districts in the region are currently planning.
PPE Supply
Reminder - Gloves, Thermometers, Child Reusable Masks, Remaining Face Shields
TDEM has not provided TEA nor ESC Region 11 any information about future shipments of PPE, including a projected time frame. We will share any information received from TDEM or TEA as soon as it is received.
Many of our charters are scheduled this week to pick up their PPE. Please check your scheduled time.
Waiver of SSI Promotion Requirements
In light of past and anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commissioner of education is exercising his authority under Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 7.056, to waive the requirements of TEC, Section 28.0211 regarding grade promotion requirements for students in fifth and eighth grade for the 2020–2021 school year.
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools are not required to apply for a waiver of these SSI requirements.
More guidance can be found HERE.
Attendance and Enrollment FAQ
This document has been updated to address:
- Funding for private- or home-schooled students who indicate that they want to transfer to a public school system
- Lawfulness of blanket closure orders issued by local public health authorities
- The requirement for offering on-campus instruction if the district offers every student a device and connectivity
- Blocks of time for teachers to engage in non-instructional activities
Public Health Guidance
This document has been modified to include:
- Updates to the definition of close contact
- Time period for a student to return to class after a fever
- Cleaning a facility following a positive COVID-19 case
P-EBT Deadline Extended
The deadline for filing for P-EBT benefits has been extended to August 21.
Guidebook for Public Health Operations
TEA has published a guidebook to assist districts with developing their public health plans. This document is now available on TEA's website.
New Statewide LMS
TEA has procured Schoology as the new statewide LMS for districts and charter schools. A webinar showcasing features of the platform will be held on Thursday prior to the 3:00 p.m. superintendent call.
Start Strong Resources
TEA has added more resources to support your charter schools as they prepare for the SY 2020-2021. Your charters now have access to Planning Support (reflection tools, surveys, guidebooks), Sample School Models (F2F, remote, hybrid), and Strong Start Implementation Supports (leadership webinars).
Please click HERE to go directly to each of these resources.
ESC Region 11 Charter School Program
Field Service Agent
Charter Schools
Email: jfagan@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/Page/6598
Phone: (817) 740-3691
Twitter: @ESC11Charters