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Last Update: 09/22/2009

Federal Programs: Title V, Part B-Public Charter Schools

Federal Charter School Program Grants  ||  Financial Responsibilities  ||  Charter School Topics

The Tennessee Public Charter Schools Act of 2002

On July 4, 2002, the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Act of 2002, was signed into law making it possible for the state to open its first charter schools in the 2003-04 school year. The purpose of this law is to:

  1. Improve learning for all students and close the achievement gap between high and low students;
  2. Provide options for parents to meet educational needs of students in high priority schools;
  3. Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods, and provide greater decision making authority to schools and teachers in exchange for greater responsibility for student performance;
  4. Measure performance of pupils and faculty, and ensure that children have the opportunity to reach proficiency on state academic assessments;
  5. Create new professional opportunities for teachers; and
  6. Afford parents substantial meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.

Additional Information

Charter School Application Documents

Due Date: On or before October 1 of the year preceding the year in which the proposed public charter school plans to begin operation, the sponsor shall file applications as follows by the close of the business day:

  1. Twenty identical hard copies and one electronic copy of the complete application to the director of schools for the local board of education considering the charter school application

AND

  1. Two identical hard copies and one electronic copy of the complete application to the Tennessee Commissioner of Education

The same number of copies of any updates or revisions submitted during the review process should also be submitted to the above entities.

Letter of IntentWord Document || Application pdf || Application Budget Cover Sheet word doc|| Application Budget (.XLS) || Budget Completion Resources pdf || Review Guidepdf || Scoring Criteria pdf

Renewal Application word doc ||  Renewal Application pdf

The Tennessee Public Charter Schools Act of 2002

The Tennessee Public Charter Schools Act of 2002 may be accessed electronically at:

http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode

Then, search charter schools using the search feature available. The public charter school law is T.C.A. Title 49 Chapter 13.

State of Tennessee Public Acts of the 104th General Assembly Chapter 414 exit Dept of Ed

Special Education in Tennessee Public Charter Schools Primer

Complete Primer

Glossary

Background

Primer for Authorizers

Primer for Operators

Primer for State Officials

Links of Interest