School 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, known as the School 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
- Official Notification of 2018-2019 Preliminary Charter School FIRST Ratings Based on 2018 Data
- Official Notification of the 2017-2018 Release of Final FIRST Ratings
- Official Notification of 2017-2018 Preliminary Charter School FIRST Ratings Based on 2017 Data
- Official Notification of 2017-2018 Preliminary IHE Charter School FIRST Ratings Based on 2017 Data
- Official Notification of the 2016-2017 Final Charter FIRST Rating Based on 2016 Charter School Data for Charter Schools Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
- Official Notification of the 2016-2017 Final Charter FIRST Rating Based on 2016 Charter School Data for Charter Schools Required to Submit Appeals by September 8, 2017
- Official Notification of the 2016-2017 Preliminary Charter School - School FIRST Rating Based on 2015-2016 Charter School 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, 83KB)
- 2009-2010 – 2013-2014 Charters FIRST Rating based on 2008-2009 – 2012-2013 Data (PDF 1092KB)
- 2009-2010 – 2013-2014 Charters FIRST Rating based on 2008-2009 – 2012-2013 Data (Excel 173KB)
- 2010–2011 Charter School - Financial Accountability Ratings
- 2009–2010 Charter School - Financial Accountability Ratings
Financial Management Report Template for Use by Open-Enrollment Charter Schools and Charter Schools Operated by a Public Institution of Higher Education (IHE)
- Financial Management Report for Charter Schools (PDF, 225KB)
- Financial Management Report for Charter Schools (Excel, 31KB)
Charter School Annual Financial and Compliance (AFR) Data Template
A charter school must use the following template to submit its AFR data to the agency.
- 2019 Charter School Annual Financial Report Data Template (Excel, 167KB)
- 2019 Charter School Annual Financial Report Data Template (PDF, 325KB)
- 2019 Charter School Annual Financial Report Data Template (Governmental Charter Schools) (Excel, 165KB)
- 2019 Charter School Annual Financial Report Data Template (Governmental Charter Schools) (PDF, 133KB)
- Instructions for Completing and Submitting the Charter School AFR Data Template (PDF, 164KB)
- Instructions for Completing and Submitting the Charter School AFR Data Template (Governmental Charter Schools) (PDF, 182KB)
Please submit the completed template to financialaccountability@tea.texas.gov.
Law and Rules
Law:
Commissioner's Rules:
Robin Aldridge (512) 463-3940 robin.aldridge@tea.texas.gov
Division of Financial Compliance
Phone: (512) 463-9095
Fax: (512) 463-1777