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.   

Correspondence

Ratings 

Financial Management Report Template for Use by Open-Enrollment Charter Schools and Charter Schools Operated by a Public Institution of Higher Education (IHE)

Charter School Annual Financial and Compliance (AFR) Data Submission

There is a new process for Charter Schools beginning with their FY2021 annual financial audit report data submission. This new process replaces the submission of the financial data on the Excel data templates which were emailed to TEA in previous years. This new process also requires that at least one person at the Charter School has TEAL Audit application access to close and finalize the submission.

You can find instructions for submitting the Charter School financial data feed in the Charter School Annual Financial Report Data Feed Standards under the section titled, Annual Financial and Compliance Report Submission-Charter Schools of the Financial Compliance Division's Electronic Submissions web page.

Law and Rules

Law:

Commissioner's Rules:

Contact Information

Robin Aldridge (512) 463-3940 or robin.aldridge@tea.texas.gov

Financial Compliance Division

Phone: (512) 463-9095

Fax: (512) 463-1777

Email: financialaccountability@tea.texas.gov