Public charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students.
Public charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students.
More than 420,000 Texas students attend public charter schools for high-quality educational opportunities and post-secondary success.
More than 420,000 Texas students attend public charter schools for high-quality educational opportunities and post-secondary success.
More than 420,000 Texas students attend public charter schools for high-quality educational opportunities and post-secondary success.
But76,000students remain on public charter school waiting lists.
But 76,000 students remain on public charter school waiting lists.
But 76,000 students remain on public charter school waiting lists.
Your District Profile
Your District Profile includes an updated list of public charter schools in your district — as well as key data about enrollment, demographics, and funding.
Your District Profile
Your District Profile includes an updated list of public charter schools in your district — as well as key data about enrollment, demographics, and funding.
TEA maintains the most rigorous vetting process nationally, yet the SBOE vetoes the vast majority (80% in 2022) of new schools recommended by the Commissioner of Education.
Proposal:
Raise the SBOE veto threshold to overrule TEA recommendations from a simple majority to a super-majority, as is already required to override SBEC rules (TEC §21.042).
Allow Earlier Notification for Public Charter School Expansion
HB 2102 (Goldman) SB 1099 (Paxton)
Public charter schools must apply for approval and notify districts within 18 months of a new school opening. Districts deserve more advance notice and public charter schools deserve more time to plan.
Proposal:
Allow expansion requests and notification up to 36 months before opening a new campus, instead of the current 18 months.
Legislative Priorities
We believe in fairness for all public schools, strong accountability, and expanding access to a great public education. These simple legislative proposals will make a difference for students:
Make the Teacher Retirement System Fair to All Public Schools
The Problem
The Teacher Retirement System requires public charter schools (and some Districts of Innovation) contribute above and beyond the requirements for traditional ISDs.
The Solution
Ensure the Teacher Retirement System treats all public schools, including public charter schools and Districts of Innovation, equally. This would keep $8.7 million in public charter school classrooms.
The Teacher Retirement System is requiring public charter schools and some Districts of Innovation to make employer contributions above and beyond what is required of traditional ISDs.
The Solution
Update statute to ensure the Teacher Retirement System treats all public schools, including public charter schools and Districts of Innovation, equally. This would keep $8.7 million in public charter school classrooms.
Parts of the education code are unclear in ways that disadvantage public charter schools or create overly burdensome requirements.
The Solution
Adjust the law in specific areas so that public charter schools have parity with ISDs (such as being able to designate crossing guards) and do not face unnecessary red tape.
Close The Funding Gap
The Problem
Texas public charter schools receive an average of $1,278 less than ISDs in per pupil funding. Unequal facilities funding drives the difference.
The Solution
Close the gap by making facilities funding more fair.
Make the Teacher Retirement System Fair to All Public Schools
The Problem
The Teacher Retirement System is requiring public charter schools and some Districts of Innovation to make employer contributions above and beyond what is required of traditional ISDs.
The Solution
Update statute to ensure the Teacher Retirement System treats all public schools, including public charter schools and Districts of Innovation, equally. This would keep $8.7 million in public charter school classrooms.
Parts of the education code are unclear in ways that disadvantage public charter schools or create overly burdensome requirements.
The Solution
Adjust the law in specific areas so that public charter schools have parity with ISDs (such as being able to designate crossing guards) and do not face unnecessary red tape.
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are open to all students. The State of Texas grants charter schools the flexibility and freedom to meet students’ individual needs— and in exchange, holds them to higher standards of academic and financial accountability than traditional school districts.
What kinds of educational opportunities do public charter schools create?
Children and families have diverse needs. Public charter schools create educational opportunities that best meet those needs in our communities. Examples include:
Rigorous preparation for college
Including expanded access to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses
Specialized instruction for students with disabilities
Such as children on the autism spectrum or those with dyslexia
Multi-lingual experiences
Where students learn additional languages before they graduate
Partnerships with employers
Give students hands-on experience before they graduate and empower them to earn industry certifications
Classical education
Helping students understand truth, goodness, and beauty through the classics of Western literature
Who do public charter schools educate?
Public charter schools in Texas enroll about 375,000 students from all kinds of backgrounds.
But they educate a higher percentage of high-needs and traditionally-underserved students than traditional districts.
What Our Advocates Are Saying
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation.”
- Tara Speegle
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation.”
- Tara Speegle
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation.”
- Tara Speegle
512-584-8272 | 3005 S Lamar Blvd, Suite D-447, Austin, TX, 78704
