SIXTH ANNUAL TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE will be held on Monday and Tuesday, April 29 & 30, 2002 at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston. We are pleased to announce that Commissioner Jim Nelson will once again be a keynote speaker. The Resource Center has secured contributions to reduce your conference cost, therefore, your registration fees are listed below. The registration fee includes five meals: breakfast and lunch on both days, and the evening dinner on Monday, April 29, on board the "Colonel" Paddlewheeler Boat. (The Resource Center spends more than $200 per person to host this conference.)

• $100 Texas charter school staff, teachers & board members
• $150 TEA & Region Service Center personnel
• $200 All other attendees
• $400 Vendors (Fee includes one registration and one vendor table. Fees for each additional person at the vendor booth will be $200.)

For hotel reservations call the Moody Gardens Hotel at 888-388-8484. Let the hotel know you are with the Charter School Conference to qualify for the $125 room rate, which can accommodate up to four people in one room for $125.

FINANCIAL RESOURCE GUIDE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING The TEA Division of Audit Management & Operational Reviews will hold a stakeholders meeting at TEA on October 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00. For additional information check the Texas Register at www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg.

NINTH GRADE SUCCESS INITIATIVE (RFA #701-01-036) is available for charter schools which serve ninth grade students to increase their graduation rates. The program must emphasize basic skills of the required curriculum and must offer students the opportunity to increase credits required for high school graduation. This competitive grant will be implemented during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years. Approved projects will receive funding for a two-year period in a range from $100,000 to $1,500,000. To obtain a copy of this RFA, log onto www.tea.state.tx.us, then click on Grant Information under School Finance & Grants; then Available Grants & Contracts; then Ninth Grade Success Initiative, Cycle 2 under Grants Available. For information call Geraldine Kidwell at 512-463-9581. Applications must be received at TEA by 5:00 p.m., October 25, 2001.

TEXAS AFTER-SCHOOL INITIATIVE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS (RFA #701-01-031) is available for charter schools to implement, for students of middle school age, quality after-school programs that include an academics-based curriculum linked to the TEKS, a character/citizenship education component, and a plan for parental and/or mentor involvement. The Initiative will be implemented during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years. Approved projects will receive funding in the range of $75,000 to $300,000. To obtain a copy on the web, see above. For a printed copy of the RFA call TEA Document Control Center at 512-463-9304. Applications must be received at TEA by 5:00 p.m., November 6, 2001. For information call Geraldine Kidwell at 512-463-9581.

CHARTER SCHOOL ORIENTATION ORIENTATION The Division of Charter Schools at TEA is hosting a Charter School Orientation on Monday & Tuesday, October 22 & 23, 2001. Representatives from many divisions at the agency will make presentations that pertain to both new charter schools and also to established charters with new staff members, or with existing staff who want a refresher in some areas. You may bring as many staff members as you like. There is no charge for the orientation. A tentative agenda is attached. The sessions will run from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. on October 22 and from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on October 23. Charter school orientation participants who anticipate the necessity of an interpreter or translator should contact the Division of Charter Schools by October 10^th. To RSVP call 512-463-9575.

ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY DEADLINE The deadline for registering to participate in the Alternative Accountability System is Friday, October 12, 2001. The alternative accountability procedures are designed to provide more flexibility for schools that serve non-traditional populations. Schools must register to participate each year. Note: The Charter School Division has faxed a letter explaining the procedures that must be completed before charters can register on-line for the alternative education accountability procedures. See attached.