Charter FIRST Rating for Open-Enrollment Charter Schools and Charter Schools Operated by a Public Institution of Higher Education (IHE)
The purpose of the financial accountability rating system for charter schools, known as Charter Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), is to ensure that open-enrollment charter schools and charter schools operated by a public institution of higher education (IHE) are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and that they improve those practices. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.
Recent Update
Changes effective with the 2022-2023 Charter FIRST Ratings
The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §109.1001(n)(9)(A) and (B) was recently amended to allow for adjustments to scores and ratings upon appeal for FIRST Indicator 1—Timely Submissions of the Annual Financial Report.
- Charter FIRST Change—Appeal for Timely Submission of Annual Financial Report Slides
- Video: FIRST Changes Related to Indicator 1
Correspondence
- Official Notification of 2022-2023 Preliminary FIRST Ratings Based on 2022 Data
- Official Notification of 2020-2021 Final FIRST Ratings Based on 2020 Data
- Official Notification of 2020-2021 Preliminary FIRST Ratings Based on 2020 Data
- Official Notification of 2019-2020 Final Charter FIRST Ratings Based on 2019 Data
- Official Notification of 2019-2020 Preliminary Charter FIRST Ratings Based on 2019 Data
Ratings
- 2011–2012 and newer Charter School - Financial Accountability Ratings (Select Year from Dropdown)
- 2016-2017 IHE Charter FIRST Ratings based on 2016 data (PDF, 83 KB)
Financial Management Report Template for Use by Open-Enrollment Charter Schools and Charter Schools Operated by a Public Institution of Higher Education (IHE)
- Charter FIRST Annual Financial Management Report (PDF, 150 KB)
- Charter FIRST Annual Financial Management Report (Excel, 26 KB)
Law and Rules
Law:
Commissioner's Rules:
Robin Aldridge (512) 463-3940 or robin.aldridge@tea.texas.gov
Financial Compliance Division
Phone: (512) 463-9095
Fax: (512) 463-1777