Volume 4, Number 12, March 23, 2001
A Publication of the Resource Center for Charter Schools
Phone 210-348-7890 Fax 210-348-7899
© Resource Center for Charter Schools All Rights Reserved

Patsy O'Neill, Executive Director; Jimmie Driver, Assistant Director;
Sally Friedli, Office Manager; and Sara Murphy, Administrative Assistant
                      

DEADLINE EXTENDED

CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE


Per your request for an extension due to spring break we have extended the conference registration deadline to Friday, March 23. All checks must be received by the Resource Center by March 23. After this date all fees will increase by $100. The registration form, agenda, and schedules are attached.
CONFERENCE CHECK-IN
will be open on Sunday, April 8 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Monday, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel. Check-in tables will be located on the Atrium Level adjacent to the Ballroom. Conference packets and nametags will be available at this time. To avoid standing in line with 600 other attendees on Monday morning we encourage you to check in on Sunday evening if possible.
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
The Super Shuttle from the Austin airport to the Renaissance Hotel is $15. Reservations are not necessary from the airport to the hotel but a reservation is needed for the return trip to the airport. The Super Shuttle number is 512-258-3826.
SBOE AMENDMENTS
The next State Board of Education meeting will be May 10th and 11th. Amendments to be considered at the meeting must be received by the TEA Charter School Division office no later than Monday, April 2, 2001. Amendments increasing enrollment and/or grade levels served for the 2001-2002 school year must be dealt with at this meeting because of the Board rule that any such changes must be approved prior to June 1, 2001. For information, call Kirsten Christophersen at 512-463-9575.
THE REGION IV ESC Special Ed Advisory Committee
Special Education Directors' Meeting will be Thursday, March 22, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Region IV ESC, 7145 W. Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092. Charter School directors or their representatives are welcome to attend. Each charter school will receive a packet of information and resources. New Texas Commissioner's Rules for Special Education will be among the issues discussed.
TEA UPDATE
· TEA staff members in the Charter Schools Division are currently processing start-up grant applications. The Request for Application states that the negotiation period is scheduled for the months of February and March. All sub-grant applicants have been notified by fax at least twice. If you have not submitted a response, please fax revisions to 512-463-9732. Because of the many calls per day regarding grant status, you are being asked to limit your calls to specific questions only. This will allow staff more time to focus on processing applications. ALL applications are being reviewed and ALL applicants will be notified by fax when additional information is needed.

It is understandable that you are most anxious about the availability of grant funds. However, each grant is processed by staff members in the Charter Schools Division and again by staff members in the Division of Contracts and Grants, so no specific dates for the Notice of Grant Awards can be determined at this stage of the process. Thank you for your responsiveness as we work through this process.





Resource Center for Charter Schools
and the
Texas Education Agency

present

The Fourth Annual
TEXAS
CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE


CHARTERS AT THE CAPITOL
Brightening the Future of the Lone Star State

April 9 - 10, 2001
Austin, Texas

Registration Deadline: Friday, March 16, 2001
Hotel Reservation Deadline: Friday, March 16, 2001

For conference information contact
Resource Center for Charter Schools
Phone: 210-348-7890 • Fax: 210-348-7899
E-mail: oneillp@texas.net • www.charterstexas.org

For hotel room reservations contact
Renaissance Austin Hotel
9721 Arboretum Boulevard
Austin, Texas
Phone: 512-343-2626 • Fax: 512-346-7945


Resource Center for Charter Schools

Cordially invites
All Conference Attendees

to a

Six Flags Over Texas Gala Buffet

at the

University of Texas Alumni Center
2110 San Jacinto Boulevard

April 9, 2001
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Entertainment
Faith Family Charter School of Oak Cliff Choir
Dress: Business Casual

Buses will load from 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. from the front of the
Renaissance to take you to the Alumni Center. The buses
will return to the Renaissance from 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Everyone must wear their conference name tag to be admitted.

Fourth Annual Texas Charter School Conference
CHARTERS AT THE CAPITAL
Brightening the Future of the Lone Star State

Sunday, April 8, 2001
5:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.Conference Registration

Monday, April 9, 2001

8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.Conference Registration
8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.Vendor Showplace
8:00 a.m.9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast
         
9:00 a.m.10:45 a.m.General Session
Keynote
Jim Nelson, Commissioner of Education

Panel
Charters and the Capital Scene

         
10:45 a.m11:00 a.m.Break
         
11:15 a.m.12:15 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
         
12:30 p.m.1:30 p.m.Luncheon
Keynote
Howard Fuller
Institute for the Transformation of Learning
         
1:45 p.m.2:45 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
         
2:45 p.m.3:00 p.m.Break
         
3:00 p.m.4:00 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
         
6:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.Reception UT Alumni Center

Fourth Annual Texas Charter School Conference
CHARTERS AT THE CAPITAL
Brightening the Future of the Lone Star State
Conference Agenda
Tuesday, April 10, 2001

8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.Conference Registration
8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.Vendor Showplace
8:00 a.m.9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast
         
9:00 a.m.10:45 a.m.General Session
Keynote
Raul Yzaguirre, National Council of LaRaza

Panel
Brightening the Future

         
10:45 a.m11:00 a.m.Break
         
11:15 a.m.12:15 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
         
12:30 p.m.1:30 p.m.Luncheon
Presentation by charter school students
         
1:45 p.m.2:45 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
         
2:45 p.m.3:00 p.m.Break
         
3:00 p.m.4:00 p.m.Concurrent Sessions



Fourth Annual
TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE
One registration form per person - duplicate as necessary
Registration deadline is Friday, March 16, 2001.

First Name_____________________________Last Name_________________________________

Title____________________School/Organization_____________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________State_________________Zip_________________

Phone____________________Fax__________________E-mail_____________________________

Conference expenses exceed $200 per person. The Resource Center has secured contributions to reduce your conference fees as listed below.
Registration fees will increase by $100 in each category if received after March 16.

Fees: [Registration fee includes five meals: breakfast and lunch on both days, and evening gala dinner on Monday, April 9th.]
_____ $100 Texas Charter School Leaders, Teachers, & Board Members
_____ $150 All other attendees
_____ $300 Vendors [Fee includes one registration, including the five meals, and one vendor table for your group.
Fee for additional vendors at your table will be $150 per person.]

I have enclosed a check for $___________________ payable to the:
Resource Center for Charter Schools.

Registrations are non-refundable.


Mail registration form with check to:
Resource Center for Charter Schools
40 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 408
San Antonio, Texas 78216
Phone: 210-348-7890 • Fax: 210-348-7899
(Please do not send this registration form or conference payment to the Renaissance.)