Start a Charter School

TCSA is a proud supporter of charter education and is excited that you have shown interest in starting an open-enrollment charter school. Texas currently needs more innovators that are passionate about improving access to quality educational opportunities for all students. Since 1995 when Texas lawmakers first launched public charter schools, one of the most significant education reforms in the state's history, charter schools have been charged with the duty 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.

_{Texas Education Code, Section 12.001.}

This mission continues today with some of the very best charter schools in the nation currently operating in Texas. It is because of courageous people like you that the charter movement continues to grow and prosper making a difference in the lives of so many children in Texas. Your ambitious voyage to start an open enrollment charter school begins with the charter application. The Texas Charter Schools Association (TCSA) is here to help you.

The Texas Charter Schools Association (TCSA) is a nonprofit statewide membership organization representing effective currently operating charter schools of all types. It is important to not confuse TCSA with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) the governmental agency responsible for facilitating the charter application process.

Currently there is a cap (215) on the number of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Texas that can operate open-enrollment charter schools. It is for this reason that applying for an open enrollment charter school is a highly competitive process. The State Board of Education (SBOE), which is charged with the authorization of open enrollment charter schools, typically announces any decision to open an application process during its September meeting, although it might be earlier. It is important to know that there is no guarantee that the SBOE will open a charter school application round every year.

The current Generation 17 Application was due Feb. 23 by 4:59pm. If, an applicant group missed this deadline then they must wait to turn in a potential Generation 18 Charter School Application, likely to be released in late July 2012 and due late February 2013.

If this is the case for your development group, you can never start too early.

TCSA recommends the following steps for applicants looking forward and intending to submit a Generation 18 Charter School Application likely due late February, 2013:

Potential applicants should start reviewing the TEA website for charter school information and alerts. This will get you familiar with the requirements for obtaining and operating a charter. You can never start too early! Applying for a charter school is a lengthy process.

Establish a non-profit organization and secure tax exemption from the IRS under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These two steps can take a considerable amount of time, up to nine months, so it is essential to get started early. We encourage you to identify board members who will be capable of overseeing the management of a robust and multi-faceted organization.

Review the Generation 17 Charter School Application for open enrollment charter schools. The Generation 18 Charter School Application will likely be simular. In addition, you should start to assemble a planning team for responding to the application questions and required appendices. Generally, preparing and submitting a complete and compelling charter school application takes several months of planning and development.
Plan to attend the Texas Education Agency (TEA) mandatory Charter Applicant Conference. TEA has not released the dates for the Generation 18 Charter Applicant Conference. These dates will likely be posted in July 2012. Applicant Conferences generally take place in October and December. If a board member of the non-profit or potential non-profit does not attend this meeting TEA will not accept a Generation 18 Charter School Application from the developing group.
Attend a beginner training session hosted by TCSA on starting a charter school. Our next training session will be held in Austin in August 2012, the exact date will be released soon. This training is for potential applicants looking forward to the Generation 18 application likely to be released late summer 2012. This training is designed to provide attendees with competitive advice for completing the best application possible.
Let TCSA help you develop or review your application! Take a look at our Charter Application Development Services and our Charter Application Review Services. Contact Matt Abbott for more information at mabbott@txcharterschools.org.
Consider joining TCSA as an applying charter member for $500 and start enjoying discounts to TCSA training and events. As a member your team will have access to (1) existing charter operators to learn from, (2) member discounts on model policies, school supplies, software, training, and (3) current information about laws and best practices for running an effective charter school.

Finally, TCSA recommends that you add your name to our newsletter distribution list so that you can read our Friday weekly newsletter. This will keep you in the loop on all things charter school in Texas. Simply type in your email in our TCSA Newsletter signup tool located on the upper right side of this page.