What is a Charter School?

A charter school is a type of public school. Charter schools provide education through a "charter," which is a type of contract granted by a chartering entity such as the commissioner of education, State Board of Education (SBOE), or the board of trustees of an independent school district. 

Charter Home - Purpose and Definition

In 1995, the Texas Education Code established a new type of public school known as a charter school. Charter schools are subject to fewer state laws than other public schools with the idea of ensuring fiscal and academic accountability without undue regulation of instructional methods or pedagogical innovation. Like school districts, charter schools are monitored and accredited by the state. 

According to the Texas Education Code, the purposes of charter schools are to:

• improve student learning;
• increase the choice of learning opportunities within the public school system;
• create professional opportunities that will attract new teachers to the public school system;
• establish a new form of accountability for public schools; and
• encourage different and innovative learning methods. 

Texas Education Code, Chapter 12

Charter school administrators should become familiar with the laws that apply to charter schools. Chapter 12 of the TEC (outside source) discusses many, but not all, charter school issues. Subchapter D of Chapter 12 is specific to open-enrollment charter schools; Subchapter E of Chapter 12 is specific to university charter schools.

Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 100

The TAC contains rules adopted by the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the commissioner of education. The SBOE and the commissioner of education may adopt new rules or amendments to existing rules. Title 19 TAC, Chapter 100, is the primary source of rules that apply to open-enrollment charter schools. 

2023

November 

• November 29 - ESC R11 Instructional Leadership Meeting
• November 29 - Texas Charter Network Meeting (Dr. Seay)
• November 29 - ESC R11 Data Analysis Advisory Meeting
• November 30 - ESC R11 Charter Roundtable 
• November 30 - Stand Alone 2024 STAAR Field Test - LEA volunteer deadline
• November 30 - ESSER II Liquidation Extension Data Collection DUE

December

• December 1 - 2023 Government Report Forms Submissions window closes
• December 1 - Title IV Special Data Collection Due
• December 4 - SB 1882 Mandatory Letter of Intent & Charter Locally-Developed charter authorizing policy submission due
• December 5 - TEA Charter Operators Council (small campuses) at 11AM
• December 6 - Texas Charter Network Meeting (Dr. Seay)
• December 6 - TASA Meeting
• December 7 - Fall 2023 PEIMS Initial Submission Due
• December 7 - TEA Charter Operators Council (medium campuses) at 10AM
• December 7 - TEA Charter Operators Council (large campuses) at 1PM
• December 7 - LASO Cycle II Grants Application CLOSES
• December 8 - 2023-2024 Fingerprint Certification & Statement of Compliance Due
• December 12 - ESC R11 Charter Advisory Meeting
• December 12 - ESC Region 11 Ready, Set, Grow! A Cohort for New CAN Teachers
• December 13 - Texas Charter Network Meeting (Dr. Seay)
• December 15 - 2023-24 Webinar Series: Taking the Helm and Navigating Accountability
• December 15 - SB 1882 Application Package Priority Deadline I 
• December 20-29 - ESC Region 11 Closed

January 

• January 2-3 - ESC Region 11 Closed
• January 2 - ESSER II Closeout - Final Expenditure Report Due
• January 10 -  TASA Meeting
• January 17 - ESC Region 11 Closed
• January 18 - Fall PEIMS Corrected Submission Due
• January 25 - R11 Charter Roundtable 
• January 30 - Region 11 Midwinter Conference Breakfast
• January 31 - SB 1882 Application Package Priority Deadline 2