Charter Schools
To further promote local initiative, the 1995 revision of 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 under the statewide testing and accountability system.
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.
Announcements
- The charter school orientation sessions are scheduled for February 14-16, 2012 and
May 8-10, 2012. Registration is strongly encouraged. The agenda for the first session is now available.
- The Generation 17 Request for Application (RFA) is due February 23, 2012 to the Document Control Center in Room 1-108.
- Applicant conference materials, including the questions and answers from the conference (PDF, 47 KB), are now available for download from the Subchapter D Information page.
- A To The Charter School Administrator Addressed (PDF, 241 KB) letter, dated October 7, 2011, is available.
The links below provide information and resources for charter school personnel, parents, and students, as well as potential charter applicants and the general public.
TEA Charter School Contact Info:
Texas Education Agency
Division of Charter School Administration
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Phone (512) 463-9575
Fax (512) 463-9732
For questions regarding this webpage, please contact the Division of Charter School Administration at (512) 463-9575.
Page last modified on 2/8/2012.