Bill > HB1278

This bill creates a new professional charter academy program in Texas that allows highly qualified educators to establish and operate their own independent public schools. To be eligible, educators must have at least five years of classroom teaching experience, have consistently high performance evaluations, or have served as a school principal for at least three years. These professional charter academies must be 100% owned by the eligible educators working at the school and will be subject only to federal and state laws applicable to privately accredited schools, not standard charter school regulations. The bill establishes that eligible educators are responsible for securing initial capital to fund the first full year of operations, with state funding becoming available after the first year of operation. The commissioner of education will grant charters to these academies after reviewing their business plan, financial guarantees, and demonstrating community interest. Students enrolled in these professional charter academies will be eligible for public funding, with the amount calculated as either the average state funding for open-enrollment charter schools or the average maintenance and operation cost per student in the local school district, whichever is lower. The bill also includes provisions for updating student enrollment counts and funding throughout the school year, with the program set to be implemented no later than 45 days after the act's effective date.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1278