“They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Gen Y Teachers
Last night I worked with a governing board for a higher education center to develop a strategy for sustainability of funding for their facility. The topics of work ethic and culture came up a few times as in, “Young people want money, but they do not want to work, they do not have any manners … Continue reading
Let’s hope the whisper becomes a roar. Pitts contemplates adding $5 Billion to TX Budget.
House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts said this afternoon that he’s already asked Rep. Larry Taylor of Friendswood, who heads the House Republican Caucus, whether the conservatives in the House would be willing to spend another $5 billion if it can be located. Source: Texas Tribune http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/budget/pitts-talks-gently-of-adding-to-texas-budget/?utm_source=texastribune.org&utm_medium=alerts&utm_campaign=News%20Alert:%20Subscriptions
Texas House approves a budget leaving education short by billions
House Budget Shrinks Spending, Slashes Services The Texas House started with a $164.5 billion budget and ended with the same total. proposed budget is 12.3 percent smaller than the current budget; leaves public education and health and human services spending short of what it would take to maintain current services, especially given population growth and … Continue reading
A Primer on Texas’ School Finance System
Texas’s public school finance system is like a house that started with one bedroom and has been “enhanced” to accommodate the family from Big Love. It is full of compromises and add-ons and short on strategic planning and clear intent. The Texas Tribune has posted an article that seeks to clarify the system based on … Continue reading
New study released regarding Dual Credit in Texas
The Texas Education Agency released a new report, Research Study of Texas Dual Credit Programs and Courses. This report can be used as evidence to support grants in Texas and elsewhere. I have noted a few key items and added a link to the full report below. Texas law (HB1, §5.01, 79th Texas Legislature, 3rd … Continue reading
Texas Governor proposes use of school district reserve funds to address budget gaps
Texas Governor Rick Perry has proposed that school district reserves be used to help close of the state’s massive budget shortfall. “It’s about $12 billion in reserve accounts in our independent school districts, so should the state spend their Rainy Day Fund before those are accessed?” Perry said. “It’s a good debate to have. My … Continue reading
The Common Core Standards: Strategies for Texas and Alaska Districts seeking Federal Funds
The Common Core Standards: Strategies for Texas and Alaska Districts seeking Federal Funds. The mission of the Common Core State Standards is to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and … Continue reading
TEA discretionary grant recipients: read this post
Legislative news from The Quorum Report March 9 (http://www.quorumreport.com/). “The budget went to subcommittee with a $9.8 billion hole and no funding for textbooks, and it came back to the full committee with a $9.8 billion hole and no funding for textbooks.” The only shift in the budget was a $6.6 million cut from education … Continue reading
Goals are not enough to achieve change. Strategies to promote successful grant implementation.
I just read an article that outlines five elements of SMART goals and provides recommendations related to three elements of change http://www.measurementresourcesco.com/index_files/whygoalsarenotenough.htm. This article resonates with me. As a grant writer, I am engaged in the planning and design of the program through the proposal process. Once the grant is submitted, my role ends and I … Continue reading
LBB information on proposed cuts to Texas School Districts: Analysis per District
The Texas Legislative Budget Board has created 3 Models to reduce entitlements by $2 Billion. For information on the three models, see http://www.equitycenter.org/members/ecxpress/2011/2-28-11%20Description%20of%20Models.pdf For an analysis of each model’s net effect on individual district entitlements, see: http://www.equitycenter.org/members/ecxpress/2011/2-28-11%20Three%20Model%20Runs.pdf
The Grant Coaches 