INSIDE INFORMATION Understanding charter schools Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that were created by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to foster innovation and allow for more choices in the state’s public school system. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are fully funded by the state and receive no local revenue, such as property taxes.
The process for admission to charter schools depends on whether there is space available at the school.
Admissions
Future students or parents must ll out an application with basic identifying information.
Preference in the lottery may be given to students with a sibling already admitted to or attending the school, or students whose parent works on sta. If a school has more applicants than positions available, all open- enrollment charter schools are required to utilize a random lottery or admit students based on application submission order. Charter schools are open to all students, but barriers to entry can include living outside school boundaries, or having a criminal or disciplinary history.
Comparing schools
Charter schools serve about 7% of all public school students in Texas. Charter schools and independent school districts have similarities and dierences in their required rules and regulations. Key Number of students served Number of campuses ISDs Charter schools 5.43M students Nearly 300,000 students 8,973 schools 896 schools
While charter schools receive more funding from the state overall than independent school districts, charter schools receive less public funding in total since they are not funded locally.
Funding
The similarities
The differences
• Flexibility in designing and running charter schools • Specialized programs and models • Teacher certi cation requirements
• State curriculum standards and exams • Graduation requirements • Special education and bilingual
Public charter schools
Independent school districts $11,958* per student Local funding: $7,611 per student State funding: $4,347 per student
$10,992 per student Local funding: none State funding: $10,992 per student
education requirements • Financial and academic accountability
*TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET MULTIPLE ALLOTMENTS BEYOND THE BASIC PER PUPIL FUNDING. THESE NUMBERS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON AVERAGE OVERALL FUNDING FROM STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE Mobility Authority
Navigating the tolling landscape can be complicated. We’re the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and we’re here to help you understand important pieces of the tolling puzzle, like what we do and how your toll bill works.
The Mobility Authority is not the only toll operator
PBM rates are higher than the tag rate to cover the additional processing cost.
Late payment fees do apply
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We accept a variety of electronic tags
If tolls are not paid by an electronic tag account, then they are billed through our Pay By Mail (PBM) process. PBM payments on Mobility Authority operated roads must be paid directly to the Mobility Authority.
There’s a reason you might get a bill in the mail even if you have an electronic tag
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To learn more fast facts about paying your Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll bill, visit us at MobilityAuthority.com/tolling101.
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