Charter Application Review Service
- Limit to First 4 Registrants!

The Texas Charter School Association (TCSA) is excited to announce the launch of its Charter School Application Review Service.  This service is launched for the benefit of organizations seeking to apply for an open-enrollment charter school from the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). 

Applying for an open-enrollment charter school is an exciting and challenging process. Completing the process successfully requires a sound plan, attention to detail, fortitude, creativity, and down-right hard work.  Let TCSA’s team of charter school experts review your draft application for completeness, accuracy, and competiveness, guiding you to develop the best application possible for presenting your vision to the SBOE.  While TCSA cannot guarantee that your application will be selected by the SBOE, your organization’s participation in TCSA’s review service is certain to make your charter school application better than before. 

Sign up for TCSA’s application review process today.  We are accepting only the first four organizations who register so that we can provide a thorough review and as extensive feedback as possible. 

TCSA review is important because…

-          Nearly 50% of all applications submitted are deemed incomplete during the Texas Education Agency ‘s internal review. Result  = DISQUALIFIED

-          Many applications have significant legal, financial, academic errors that are inconsistent with state and federal charter school regulations.
Result = DISQUALIFIED

-          Many applications suggest non-compliance with the state’s conflict of interest and nepotism laws. Result = DISQUALIFIED

TCSA’s reviewers are the best in class.  Your charter school application will be reviewed by an expert committee comprised of the following team, which together has over 50 years of service to open-enrollment charter schools in Texas: 

·         Amanda Thomas (TCSA Advocacy Associate) – Observer of the SBOE and the SBOE Committee on School Initiatives since 2008; former employee in the executive office of the largest charter school network in Texas

·         Denise Pierce (TCSA Vice President of Member Services) - Experienced charter school attorney who previously has advised successful charter school applicants

·         Kimber Fuccello (TCSA Business Consultant) – Charter school finance expert and charter start-up budget consultant

·         Matt Abbott (TCSA Director of Training Services) - Former Charter School Teacher and Board Member

·         Telca Porras (TSCA Quality Initiatives Senior Advisor) - Former external reviewer appointed by TEA to read and score various generations of open-enrollment charter school applications, including Generation 15.

·         Teresa Elliott (TCSA Chief Operating Officer) – Founder of a Generation 2 Charter School and former charter school CEO for 12 years

TCSA’s review process will prepare you for the competition.  The application review process includes:

-          Approximately 40 hours of application review by TCSA’s application reviewers

-          Written improvement summary prepared by TCSA

-          Three hour consultation meeting with TCSA’s application reviewers

-           One hour mock SBOE interview

Because TCSA advocates high quality, innovative charter schools, the cost of participation is far below market value.  TCSA is offering its application review service for a fixed flat rate of $5,000, an exceptional value considering that current rates for individual private consultants often start at $10,000.   

Registration is easy.  You can register by contacting Matt Abbott at (512) 584-8272 or at mabbott@txcharterschools.org.  Also, you can register online. TCSA is committed to reviewing only four applications for the Generation 17 Application Cycle to ensure that the highest quality service to participants. So don’t miss out.

Note these important dates:

Thursday, January 19, 2012 – Final day to register for TCSA’s Charter Application Review Service and to submit a near -final digital application including all appendices. The near-final application can be e-mailed to mabbott@txcharterschools.org or physically mailed to address below. Draft applications received after this date cannot be reviewed and any fees previously paid will not be refunded.

Tuesday and Wednesday, February 7&8, 2012 – Scheduled application consultation meetings with TCSA ‘s application reviewers.  There will be two, 4 hour slots available each day: 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. Appointment times will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Consultation Meeting Location and Mailing Address:

Texas Charter Schools Association
700 Lavaca, Suite 930
Austin, TX 78701

Questions?

Contact Matt Abbott, TCSA Director of Training Services
512-584-8272 and mabbott@txcharterschool.com