Federal Funding Formula Adjustments Eligible to Open-Enrollment Charter Schools Experiencing Significant Enrollment Changes

Open-enrollment charter schools that have been awarded 2020–2021 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (IDEA-B) federal grants may qualify for additional funding under these grants if they meet specific criteria defining significant expansion of enrollment. 

This letter describes the following: 

• Criteria defining significant expansion of enrollment for ESSA and IDEA-B 
• How open-enrollment charter schools request additional funding due to significant expansion of enrollment 

Significant Expansion of Enrollment Criteria for ESSA 

To claim significant expansion of enrollment for ESSA, your open-enrollment charter school must meet both of the following criteria based on the newly expanded enrollment: 

• A minimum total student enrollment of 150 
• At least a 50% increase in the ages 5–17 student enrollment from previously reported student counts 

For example, you would meet the ESSA criteria for significant expansion of enrollment if your total student enrollment increased from 125 to 250 and your ages 5–17 student enrollment increased from 100 to 200. 

Significant Expansion of Enrollment Criteria for IDEA-B 

To claim significant expansion of enrollment for IDEA-B, your open-enrollment charter school must meet both of the following criteria based on the newly expanded enrollment: 

• A minimum total student enrollment of 50 
• At least a 50% increase in the total student enrollment from previously reported student counts 

For example, you would meet the IDEA-B criteria for significant expansion of enrollment if your total student enrollment increased from 250 to 375. 

How to Request Access to the Enrollment Reporting Form 

If your open-enrollment charter school meets the criteria for significant expansion of enrollment for ESSA and/or IDEA-B, email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting (FFCR) Division at compliance@tea.texas.gov with your charter school name, county-district number, and a request that your 2020–2021 SC5050–LEA Enrollment Data Request (SC5050) be opened. 

The SC5050 collects actual enrollment data. TEA will open the SC5050 for you to enter, certify, and submit current actual enrollment counts. The current actual enrollment counts will be verified against the significant expansion criteria. You must maintain auditable documentation of the data submitted and be ready to submit the documentation to TEA upon request. 

Timeline for Form Submission and Additional Funding 

You may submit the updated SC5050 as soon as the 2020–2021 school year begins. The final date for submitting the SC5050 is January 31, 2021. 

Any additional grant funding becomes available for either the 2020–2021 or 2021–2022 school year, depending on when you submit the updated SC5050. 

For Further Information 

If you have questions, please contact the FFCR Division at (512) 463-9127 or by email at compliance@tea.texas.gov. 

Applicable ESSA Federal Grants 

FAR Revenue Code 5929 Title I, Part A: FAR Fund Code 211/300 
CFDA No. 84.010A 
Title II, Part A: FAR Fund Code 255/342 
CFDA No. 84.367A 
Title III, Part A–LEP: FAR Fund Code 263/350 
CFDA No. 84.365A 
Title III, Part A–Immigrant: FAR Fund Code 263-350 

Applicable IDEA-B Grants 

FAR Revenue Code 5929 IDEA-B Formula: FAR Fund Code 224/313 
CFDA No. 84.027 
IDEA-B Preschool: FAR Fund Code 225/314 
CFDA No. 84.