Senate Bill 1 in 1995 created a brand new kind of public school — tuition free, open to all, and empowered with freedom and flexibility.
A Bipartisan Project: Sen. Ratliff (R) and Rep. Sadler (D) secured a combined vote of 146 to 30 across the Texas House and Senate.
The Blueprint For Success
Public Charter Schools Are Delivering on Their Promises
Improved Student LEARNING
Texas public charter schools have graduated nearly a quarter million students over 30 years. Charter graduates are significantly more likely to be college or career ready than their peers.
More CHOICES in Public Education
Texas public charter schools have created new school models — including classical, college prep, STEM, and more — to meet the diverse needs of families.
INNOVATIVE Learning Methods
Texas public charter schools have blazed new trails for students who drop out. More than 103,000 recovery students have graduated — changing their lives.
A new form of ACCOUNTABILITY
Texas public charter schools empower parents to “vote with their feet” and are held to a “Three Strikes” closure law that ranks among the strictest in the nation.
A Pipeline of NEW TEACHERS
Texas public charter schools attract talented professionals from other fields. Nearly 100,000 teachers have honed their craft in a public charter school, including some entrepreneurial educators who started their own schools.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
We don’t know which “big ideas” in public education will resonate with families over the next 30 years. But we do know public charter schools will continue hammering out new ways to meet students needs and increase achievement.
1995
The Texas Legislature creates public charter schools as SB 1 passes with strong bipartisan support.
“This is not a Republican bill or a Democratic bill. This is a Texas bill,” Gov. Bush says at the signing ceremony.
1996
The first 20 public charters open their doors to about 2,000 total students.
A large majority are low-income or at-risk, quickly debunking critics’ speculation about charters facilitating “white flight.”
Meleka Blacklock becomes the first graduate of a Texas public charter school.
After dropping out of a traditional high school when she had a child, Meleka turned to a dropout recovery charter school so she could work her two jobs and still earn her diploma.
1998
The SBOE approves the second generation of new public charter schools, with an emphasis on innovative approaches such as project-based learning.
2003
Public charter schools surpass 100,000 total students served, a clear signal of growing popularity with families.
2005
Public charter schools drive ALL public schools to up their game. Economists at Texas A&M demonstrate charter growth has a “positive impact on student performance” at ISD campuses as measured by English and math exams.
2008
The Texas Public Charter Schools Association is formed so that public charter schools statewide can speak with one voice.
2013
Lawmakers lift the cap on the number of public charter schools while significantly increasing accountability. A new “three strikes” provision requires charters with consistently low ratings to close.
2018
More than 1 million students have attended Texas public charter schools!
2019
Stanford researchers find Texas public charter schools dramatically accelerate student learning — gains equivalent to extending the school year by 30+ days.
The study coincides with public charter schools taking many of the top spots in TEA’s academic ratings, including 5 of the 10 highest-rated districts in Texas!
2020
During the pandemic, families with the greatest need turn to public charter schools. The number of at-risk students increases at charters while decreasing at other public schools.
2021
TEA’s first analysis of public charter school demand required by statute finds 58,600 students are on at least one waitlist.
2024
English learners at Texas public charter schools excel on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). If charters were their own state, it would rank #1 in the US on eighth-grade reading and math.
These results follow a Thomas B. Fordham Institute study that found ELLs in Texas achieve language proficiency faster when they attend public charter schools, despite starting with similar skill levels.
Brick by Brick
How Public Charter School Success Took Shape
1996
The first 20 public charters open their doors to about 2,000 total students.
A large majority are low-income or at-risk, quickly debunking critics’ speculation about charters facilitating “white flight.”
Meleka Blacklock becomes the first graduate of a Texas public charter school.
After dropping out of a traditional high school when she had a child, Meleka turned to a dropout recovery charter school so she could work her two jobs and still earn her diploma.
2003
Public charter schools surpass 100,000 total students served, a clear signal of growing popularity with families.
2008
The Texas Public Charter Schools Association is formed so that public charter schools statewide can speak with one voice.
2018
More than 1 million students have attended Texas public charter schools!
2020
During the pandemic, families with the greatest need turn to public charter schools. The number of at-risk students increases at charters while decreasing at other public schools.
2024
English learners at Texas public charter schools excel on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). If charters were their own state, it would rank #1 in the US on eighth-grade reading and math.
These results follow a Thomas B. Fordham Institute study that found ELLs in Texas achieve language proficiency faster when they attend public charter schools, despite starting with similar skill levels.
2025
Texas public charter schools exceed 1.5 million total students educated.
There are 73,800 students on waitlists today, demonstrating strong parent interest in greater educational opportunity statewide.
Hear from first generation schools
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