Texas Charter Schools Impacted by Harvey Will Get State Help, Education Commissioner Says

GRAPEVINE - Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath Mike Morath says the state will help charter schools hit hard by Harvey’s wrath just as it is helping traditional school districts recover.Morath told lawmakers this week that it will be months before the state truly has an idea of how much it will cost to help schools recover though estimates are that it will likely top $1 billion.On Friday at the Texas Charter Schools Association's’ annual conference, Morath said the Texas Education Agency has issued more than two dozen memos trying to help ease regulations where it can to help schools affected by the hurricane and flooding that followed. It has also set up a wish-list registry so schools can identify items they need and be matched with donors.“We’ve tried to be as aggressive as possible in providing support,” Morath said.At the conference which wrapped up over the weekend, Morath also updated many of the 1,500 attendees about the state’s new accountability ratings and more.Morath said officials from the federal Department of Education are working to designate money specifically for helping charters rebuild after the storm. Earlier, he said those funds could be about $4 million.  Continue reading...