- Instructional Services Division
- General Information
General Information
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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.
Region 11 Charter Schools Professional Development Needs?
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Charter Schools - You have a voice at ESC Region 11!
Help us shape your charter school needs by completing the survey below that will provide us with valuable input about your charter school needs!
Upcoming Events & Deadlines for 2023-2024
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2024
July
2024 Summer Professional Development Catalog
- July 1-3 - ESC Region 11 Launch_K5 Computer Science
- July 4-5 - ESC Region 11 closed
- July 8 - ESC Region 11 - DMAC ACADEMY - DAY 1 - Utilities, State Assessment, Student Portfolio, Appraisals, lead4ward, Exports and PlanWorks
- July 9 - ESC Region 11 New CTE Administrator Workshop: Partnerships
- July 10 - ESC Region 11 DMAC ACADEMY - DAY 3 - Creating Student Plans & Documentation in DMAC
- July 16 - ESC Texas Reading Initiative K-5 Conference: Unlocking the Power of Literacy
- July 18 - ESC Region 11 Literacy Connects Us to the World Conference
- July 18 - PEIMS Summer re-submission due
- July 25 - Child Find submission due
- July 29-30 - Texas SPED Support's Aligned! 2024 From Child Find to IEP Implementation - Free Conference!
August
- August 8 - TPCSA Rural Charter Schools & USDA Financing training link