What is a Texas charter school?
Authorized by Texas law in 1995, charter schools are public schools that foster educational competition and offer parental choice in eduction. Charter schools have a significant amount of autonomy and are free to be innovative in educational and administrative practices.
Who is eligible to attend charter schools, and what is the current profile of the student population?
- Charter schools must accept all students who apply for admission as long as space is available.
- Over 73,000 public school students are currently being served by Texas charter schools.*
- Texas charter schools serve a student population that is 80% minority, compared to 57% in traditional public schools.*
Are charter schools held accountable for academic performance?
Just like traditional schools, charter schools are held accountable for student academic performance under the state's testing system, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Should a charter school fail to meet the objectives stated in its charter, the charter may be revoked.
How many charters are operational in Texas?
Texas currently has 190 operational state-approved charter schools and 35 locally-approved charters for a total of 225 charters serving more than 73,000 students.*
Source for statistics: Resource Center for Charter Schools |
