Domain I Comp 3 Attribute 12

In the past year, I have written, negotiated, and implemented 6 TEA grants, totaling $18 million +. Negotiating with TEA is not easy. Although every grant has a Request for Application (RFA) where all the requirements are expressly listed, I have found that the folks in charge of the individual grants at TEA usually have an agenda that is not expressed in the grant language. Each time you speak to a TEAer, the perspective may change. On one grant, I was prepared for a huge fight over Waterford, a feature of the PK grant. I had heard they were not allowing it in other districts. They questioned me about its use and then approved it without so much as a by your leave. On another grant, I had a moderate amount in the budget for staff development, which was a requirement. They negotiated for a month until it was whittled down to nothing. Their comment was, "Your teachers should know how to teach". That makes no sense whatsoever. I also have to say, that grant is not leaving the starting gate strong, and I think the lack of appropriate training is the reason.