Charter Schools - Education FAQ
This page contains frequently asked questions regarding charter-related education issues.
1. Which grade levels may an open-enrollment charter school offer?
2. Are there requirements concerning curriculum imposed on open-enrollment charter schools?
3. Are open-enrollment charter schools subject to 19 Texas Administrative Code section 74.26(c), which states that credit for courses for high school graduation may be earned only if a student received a grade that is the equivalent of 70 or above on a scale of 100?
4. Are open-enrollment charter schools required to administer state achievement tests?
5. Are open-enrollment charter schools required to provide a certain number of days of instruction during a school year?
6. Are students of open-enrollment charter schools required to attend school for a certain number of hours each day?
7. What are the requirements for student/teacher ratio and class size for charter schools?
- Which grade levels may an open-enrollment charter school offer?
While an open-enrollment charter school may offer instruction in one or more grades between pre-kindergarten and grade 12, certain restrictions apply. Charter schools may only offer instruction in the grades that are approved in its charter. Additionally, by the third year of operation a charter must serve at least one grade in which state assessment tests are administered (i.e., grades 3-11) and in which a minimum of 30 students are enrolled in tested grades.
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- Are there requirements concerning curriculum imposed on open-enrollment charter schools?
Yes. Open-enrollment charter schools are subject to some, but not all, of the curriculum requirements that apply to independent school districts. For example, their educational programs must include the curriculum required by Texas Education Code (TEC) section 28.002, implement reading diagnosis and accelerated reading instruction programs as required by TEC section 28.006, adhere to the graduation standards of TEC section 28.025, and adhere to requirements regarding special education and bilingual education and pre-kindergarten. See TEC 12.104 and 12.111.
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- Are open-enrollment charter schools subject to 19 TAC section 74.26(c), which states that credit for courses for high school graduation may be earned only if a student received a grade that is the equivalent of 70 or above on a scale of 100?
Yes. This rule is one of the graduation standards implemented under TEC section 28.025, to which open-enrollment charter schools are subject. Therefore, open-enrollment charter schools may only award credit for courses for high school graduation if a student received a grade that is the equivalent of a 70 or above on a 100-point scale.
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- Are open-enrollment charter schools required to administer state achievement tests?
Yes. Open-enrollment charter schools are subject to the statewide assessment program to the same extent as other public schools.
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- Are open-enrollment charter schools required to provide a certain number of days of instruction during a school year?
No. While other public schools must provide at least 180 days of instruction per school year, open-enrollment charter schools have the discretion to determine the length of their school year. However, because open-enrollment charter schools receive funding based on average daily attendance (up to 180 days), many of them provide at least 180 days of instruction per school year in order to receive full funding.
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- Are students of open-enrollment charter schools required to attend school for a certain number of hours each day?
No. Open-enrollment charter schools are not subject to the seven-hour school day requirement that applies to other public schools. However, a student must receive a minimum of four hours of instruction per day, exclusive of intermissions and recesses, in order for the student to be considered in attendance for a full day for funding purposes.
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- What are the requirements for student/teacher ratio and class size for charter schools?
Charter schools are not subject to sections TEC sections 25.111 and 25.112 that state such guidelines for districts. Instead, charter schools are held to any student-teacher ratios or class size limitations contained in the charter.
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*The information in this document is intended to provide nonregulatory guidance relating to charter schools and should not be construed as TEA rules.
If you have any questions about the information on this page, contact the Division of Charter School Administration at (512) 463-9575.
Division of Charter School Administration
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 463-9575
Page last modified on 8/29/2012.