SBOE rejects three charter applications, clears way for five others

The State Board of Education on Sept. 11, 2020, vetoed three out of eight new charter school operators seeking to open schools across the state. They voted to take no action on the other five, effectively approving them to begin operations in the 2021-22 school year.

Heritage Classical Academy, CLEAR Public Charter School and Rocketship Public Schools will not be able to open schools, after traditional public school leaders and other education advocates, including TCTA, argued the state could not afford to fund new charters.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath recommended eight charter operators at the end of an in-depth application process. Five — Brillante Academy, Doral Academy of Texas, Learn4Life-Austin, Prelude Preparatory Charter School and Royal Public Schools — will be allowed to open schools next academic year, unless Morath or the State Board of Education takes further action within the next 90 days.

Read more from The Texas Tribune on the SBOE's action