Charter Schools

MNPS Charter Schools

Metro Schools Board of Education Policy

Visit the MNPS Policies site to access the applicable policies.

  • Policy 1.900: Charter School Applications
  • Policy 1.901: Charter School Oversight

 

New Start Application

The new start application process is designed for use by sponsors seeking to start public charter schools in Tennessee, including: (i) a new-start applicant, (ii) an existing Tennessee sponsor proposing a new school with a change in focus/grade structure, (iii) an out-of-state sponsor, (iv) an existing Tennessee sponsor proposing to replicate an existing school, or (v) an existing sponsor of a charter school in the Achievement School District (ASD) seeking authorization from MNPS.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Education website for information on:

  • Application to Start a New Charter School
  • Required Documents

Please see Authorization Handbook for more detailed Information.

5-Year Review

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-121(k), the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) developed guidelines for local education agency (LEA) authorizers and charter schools to facilitate the five-year interim review process. In Tennessee, charter agreements are established for ten-year periods. Best practice for charter authorizers includes monitoring and meaningful feedback with charter schools on an annual basis during the charter term.

In addition to annual reviews, strong interim reviews are a vital component in providing effective oversight of charter schools and sharing best practices across all schools within the charter authorizer’s jurisdiction.

Tennessee state law requires LEA authorizers to conduct an interim review every five years of each charter school authorized by the LEA. T.C.A. § 49-13-121(k): An interim review of a charter school shall be conducted by the chartering authority under guidelines developed by the department of education in the fifth year of a charter school's initial period of operation and also in the fifth year following any renewal of a charter agreement.

Such guidelines shall require a charter school to submit to the chartering authority a report on the progress of the school in achieving the goals, objectives, pupil performance standards, content standards and other terms of the approved charter agreement. The interim review shall take place during the fifth year of operation for each charter school and then in the fifth year following any renewal decisions.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Education website for information on:

  • Operators and authorizers
  • Interim Review Guidelines

Please see Authorization Handbook for more detailed Information.


Renewal Applications

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-121, the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education has adopted Policy 1.900 (Appendix A) to provide the process for charter schools to apply for renewal of their charter agreements with the authorizer for another ten-year period.

As a charter school authorizer, MNPS is responsible for evaluating a current charter school’s performance and achievement levels in the process of deciding whether to renew a school’s charter. A strong renewal process is critical to protect charter school autonomy, students, and stakeholders and ensures schools are held to high standards.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Education website for information on:

  • Charter Renewal
  • Charter Renewal Application

Please see Authorization Handbook for more detailed Information.


Charter Amendments

In accordance with T.C.A. § 49-13-110(d), the governing body of a charter school may petition its authorizer to amend its charter agreement. Timelines for approval and the appeals process are defined by Tennessee Public Charter Commission rule 1185-01-01-.04.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Education website for information on:

  • Amendment to a Charter Agreement
  • Letter of Intent and Applicant

Please see Authorization Handbook for more detailed Information.

 

Charter Schools Office Core Team

Shereka Roby-Grant, Director
Amy Leslie, Coordinator

Steven Crawford, Compliance Coordinator

Gwendolyn Shanks, Accountant
Belinda Hardrick, Administrative Assistant
 

 

Charter School NACSA membership logo