Education briefs for Nov. 10

Contributed Reports
Posted 11/10/22

Education briefs for Nov. 10, 2022.

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Education briefs for Nov. 10

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Katy ISD earns TEA’s highest fiscal accountability rating

Katy ISD has received a rating of “A” for “Superior Achievement” under the Texas Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) for the 20th consecutive year. This is the highest rating possible as established under guidelines and rules created by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The “Superior Achievement” demonstrates the quality of Katy ISD’s financial management and reporting system. This year, the district passed all of the critical indicators and received 98 points as part of the process.

Schools FIRST is a financial accountability system for Texas school districts in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amendments under House Bill 5 of the 83rd Texas Legislature. The primary goal of Schools FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of the school district’s financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system.

“Katy ISD has received a Superior Achievement rating each year that Texas school districts have been rated through Schools FIRST,” Chris Smith, Katy ISD chief financial officer, said. “This rating shows that our district is making the most of our taxpayers’ dollars and that Katy ISD is accountable not only for student learning but also for achieving these results cost-effectively and efficiently.”

Teachers of Tomorrow announces new teacher scholarship for aspiring teachers

Teachers of Tomorrow, the nation’s largest alternative certification provider, is accepting applications for its New Teacher Scholarship for individuals interested in becoming a teacher. The organization will award up to 20 New Teacher Scholarships across several states Teachers of Tomorrow operates in, including Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Nov. 30. Recipients will be announced January 2023.

To qualify for the 2022-2023 New Teacher Scholarship, applicants must complete the application form and write a 200–300-word essay on what inspired them to choose a career in teaching and why they think teaching is a career that is worth it. Applicants must also enroll in Teachers of Tomorrow by Dec. 15 to be considered for the scholarship.

“We are committed to helping individuals pursue a career in teaching,” Trent Beekman, Teachers of Tomorrow CEO, said. “Teachers of Tomorrow is honored to provide scholarships to individuals across the country to help them follow their dreams and become full-time teachers through our alternative certification program. We will continue welcoming aspiring teachers into our program and assisting them in any way we can.”

As many states and school districts are providing increased pay in many areas, future teachers will receive support from Teachers of Tomorrow and schools as they enter a career in teaching. Teachers of Tomorrow has produced more than 80,000 high-quality teachers, including three out of the four TASA Texas Teachers of the Year. Alternative certification programs like Teachers of Tomorrow help individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences so they can positively contribute to the classroom.

Each scholarship winner has until Jan. 31, 2024, to become hired as a full-time teacher of record to obtain the benefit of the scholarship. The scholarship covers the entire program fee, which is up to $6,000, and does not apply to the enrollment fee or any other associated costs.

To apply for the 2022-2023 New Teacher Scholarship, visit the website teachersoftomorrow.org/new_teacher_scholarship/.

Katy ISD, Teachers of Tomorrow