Panel Discussion on Charter Schools
Texas Juvenile Justice Department Meeting
July 31, 2013
The Network: An assistance and support network
for public charter schools in Texas
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Presentation Disclosures
• Copyright © 2013 Texas Education Agency
Endorsements—TEA does not endorse any of
the presented products referenced in this
presentation. Any mention directly or
indirectly of vendors, products, or services is
for informational purposes only. Further, TEA
assumes no responsibility for the use of the
information provided.
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What is the Network?
• The Network is a collaboration between the Texas
Education Agency, the Texas Charter Schools
Association and the Educational Service Center,
Region XI. The purpose of the Network is
continuous improvement within the charter sector
through support for charters of all types in all stage
of development – from application to renewal to
sustainability and expansion.
• www.txcharternetwork.org
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What is a Public Charter School?
• Charter schools are FREE
public schools that have
the flexibility to adapt to
the educational needs of
individual students.
• Charter schools vary in
mission and model,
serving a wide range of
students.
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• Although charter schools
have some autonomy in
staffing and governance,
they must meet the
rigorous standards
required by the state of
Texas for all public schools.
What is a Public Charter School?
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Types of Charter Schools
• There are several types of
charters in Texas.
– By authorizer and by mission
type.
• Subchapter C charters are
authorized by traditional
districts.
– May or may not be openenrollment
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• Subchapter D charters are
authorized by the state as openenrollment charters that serve
all students.
– May also have a specialized
focus and mission that is
reflected in the charter.
• Subchapter E charters are
authorized by the state for a
University or Jr. College
– Open-enrollment
Where are Texas Charter Schools?
Charter School Student Enrollment
Aggregated from AEIS 2011
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Students in Charter Schools
2012: 154,278
2011: 133,697
2010: 119,597
2009: 102,491
AEIS
Similarities: Charter & Traditional
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Differences: Charter & Traditional
Open Enrollment Charter Schools
Traditional School Districts
215 Statutory Cap; after 9/1/13, 305 by 2019
Approximately 1034 Districts
Employment “At-Will”; certification not req’d
Employment Contracts; Certification
No Minimum Salary Scale for Teachers
Minimum Salary Scale for Teachers
Exclusions for Discipline when not Alternative
Special Placements for Discipline; Alternative
system
No authority to levy property taxes;
Authority to levy property taxes
Not eligible for certain state funding opportunities;
NO facilities funding
Services Contracts Pre-approved by TEA
State and Federal Tax Exempt ; Some Properties
Tax Exempt
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Eligible for more state funding opportunities;
facilities fundingtwo lines
Services Contracts Approved Solely by
School Board
All Properties Tax Exempt
AEIS data

In the 2011-2012 school year, charter schools in Texas added more than 20
campuses and over 20,000 students.

Since the 2007-2008 school year, charter school student enrollment in Texas has
grown an average of 14% each school year.

In 2011 in public charter schools rated under Texas’ Standard Accountability
System, higher percentages of African-American and Hispanic students passed
the TAKS test in every core subject area than in traditional public schools.
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Questions about Charters?
Q: Are charter schools open to any student?

Open-enrollment, tuition-free, public schools.

If a school is at its enrollment capacity (capacity determined by state contract),
a school will keep a waiting list and students are admitted via a public lottery
as required by federal and state law.

Most charter applications only record the name, age and address of
applicants.

In accordance with state and federal charter law, a charter school may choose
to decline enrollment for a student who was expelled from their prior school for
severe disciplinary reasons.
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Questions about Charters?
Q: Who runs a charter school?

Charter schools are independently managed by a non-profit with an appointed
charter school board.

Charter school boards are subject to regulation under the Texas Education and
Government Codes similar to an elected traditional ISD board, and must abide
by Open Meetings Laws.
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Questions about Charters?
Q: Are charter schools subject to the same state regulations and oversight as other
public schools?

Charter students are subject to the same state testing, and are rated under
the same academic and financial accountability systems as traditional public
schools.

Open enrollment, public charter schools are operated by non-profit entities.
Their school operations are funded by public dollars similar to a traditional ISD.
Traditional district schools and universities also share the right to operate
charter schools.
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Questions about Charters?
Q: What is a JDC/RTC as it relates to charter mission types?

Juvenile Detention Center
•
Only two authorized JDC charters (Harris County and Dallas County)
•
JDCs are the charter holders.
•
Charters operate inside the jail – pre and post-adjudication.
•
RTC can operate within JDC.

Residential Treatment Center
•
More than 40 RTC campuses operate in Texas.
•
RTC contracts with the charter holder to provide educational services.
•
Court-ordered and not court-ordered.
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Questions about Charters?
What if I want to start a JDC/RTC charter?
• Application process and timeline
• Cycle and Generations
• Contracts with Facilities
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New laws affecting charters
• Senate Bill 2
– Authorizing changes
– Performance Framework
• House Bill 5
– Testing and Graduation Requirement changes
• Senate Bill 306
– RTC and JDC specific legislation
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