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.

In addition to the events and deadlines listed below, please check out our new and convenient Charter School Summer Professional Development flyer for even more opportunities to learn and grow!

2021

• July 26 - Prioritizing Excellence Conference 
• July 29 - RF Tracker submission due date for LEAs
• August 5 - Data Equity - Training session by Texas Public Charter Schools Association
• August 11 - Connecting, Collaborating, and Capturing! - Results-Driven Accountability, State Performance Plan Indicators, and Data-Driven Decision Making for students with disabilities.
• August 11 - HB 4545 Overview and Tips - Training session by Texas Public Charter Schools Association
• August 26 - PEIMS Extended Year first submission due date for LEAs (if applicable) 
• August 31 - CTE Leadership Academy - Come Grow with Me This session provides a Career and Technical Education management overview for those who are new to the program.
• September 16 - PEIMS Extended Year resubmission due date for LEAs (if applicable)
• September 21 - R11 Charter Advisory Board Meeting
• September 22 - Tarrant County School Threat Assessment Training - Threat assessment training is now required for Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools under SB11, and this session meets the training requirements under SB11.
• October 19 - R11 Charter Roundtable Meeting
• October 27 – 29 - 2021 Texas Charter Schools Conference at Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX Registration NOW OPEN!
• November 18 - R11 Charter Roundtable Meeting
• November 30 - R11 Charter Advisory Board Meeting

2022

• January 13 - R11 Charter Roundtable Meeting
• February 22 - R11 Charter Roundtable Meeting
• March 29 - R11 Charter Advisory Board Meeting
• April 19 - R11 Charter Roundtable Meeting
• June 14 - R11 Charter Advisory Board Meeting