1. Fund Balance: 50% more than optimum and not more than 150%
2. Audit Report: Filed on time, No auditor opinions or disclosures on weaknesses
usually conducted in September
3. Student-Teacher Ratio
2. Audit Report: Filed on time, No auditor opinions or disclosures on weaknesses
usually conducted in September
3. Student-Teacher Ratio
There are two accountability systems for school districts in the state of Texas. The Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) is the accountability system for districts' curriculum and instruction programs. The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) hold districts responsible for the business and financial operations.
The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, § 109.1001, states that the purpose of the financial accountability rating system is to ensure that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools will be held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and achieve improved performance in the management of their financial resources. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to manage their financial resources better in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. The system will also disclose the quality of local management and decision-making processes that impact the allocation of financial resources in Texas public schools.
According to Dr. Stephens’s Interview, the Superintendent has to be equally concerned about “district ratings” by both the AEIS and the FIRST systems. “It is incumbent on the Superintendent to monitor both rating systems, analyze areas of needed improvement, and implement needed adjustments.”
The FIRST system requires the Texas Education Agency to review audited financial reports from all districts and assign financial management ratings based on how the data conform to 22 established indicators. Every school district in Texas is required to prepare an annual financial management report that includes the district's financial management performance rating from TEA, the district's previous performance on the rating indicators, and information that the Board of Trustees deems useful. In addition, state law requires that school districts hold a public discussion/hearing on the report and publish notice of the hearing at least two times prior to the meeting.
The School FIRST accountability rating system assigns one of four financial ratings, with the highest being "Superior Achievement." For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the financial accountability rating of a school district was based on its overall performance on certain financial measurements, ratios, and other indicators. The same will apply for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Our group agreed that the three most important components of FIRST is the Fund Balance, which should be 50% more than optimum and not more than 150%. The second most important component is the audit report. The report should be filed on time and there should not be any opinions or disclosures on weaknesses. It is usually conducted in September. Finally, the last component we felt was the most important was student-teacher ratio. This is crucial since school districts tend to maximize classrooms to minimize their spending on salaries. This is a concern due to cuts in funding. This is an area to monitor as teachers are cut or positions are eliminated through retirement and resignations.
Overall, all of the components of FIRST are critical to school districts. Superintendents should have the knowledge of the measurements used to rate the district and should strive to receive Superior ratings just as they strive to be Exemplary.
The Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, § 109.1001, states that the purpose of the financial accountability rating system is to ensure that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools will be held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and achieve improved performance in the management of their financial resources. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to manage their financial resources better in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. The system will also disclose the quality of local management and decision-making processes that impact the allocation of financial resources in Texas public schools.
According to Dr. Stephens’s Interview, the Superintendent has to be equally concerned about “district ratings” by both the AEIS and the FIRST systems. “It is incumbent on the Superintendent to monitor both rating systems, analyze areas of needed improvement, and implement needed adjustments.”
The FIRST system requires the Texas Education Agency to review audited financial reports from all districts and assign financial management ratings based on how the data conform to 22 established indicators. Every school district in Texas is required to prepare an annual financial management report that includes the district's financial management performance rating from TEA, the district's previous performance on the rating indicators, and information that the Board of Trustees deems useful. In addition, state law requires that school districts hold a public discussion/hearing on the report and publish notice of the hearing at least two times prior to the meeting.
The School FIRST accountability rating system assigns one of four financial ratings, with the highest being "Superior Achievement." For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the financial accountability rating of a school district was based on its overall performance on certain financial measurements, ratios, and other indicators. The same will apply for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Our group agreed that the three most important components of FIRST is the Fund Balance, which should be 50% more than optimum and not more than 150%. The second most important component is the audit report. The report should be filed on time and there should not be any opinions or disclosures on weaknesses. It is usually conducted in September. Finally, the last component we felt was the most important was student-teacher ratio. This is crucial since school districts tend to maximize classrooms to minimize their spending on salaries. This is a concern due to cuts in funding. This is an area to monitor as teachers are cut or positions are eliminated through retirement and resignations.
Overall, all of the components of FIRST are critical to school districts. Superintendents should have the knowledge of the measurements used to rate the district and should strive to receive Superior ratings just as they strive to be Exemplary.
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