Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ

Open-enrollment charter schools that have been awarded 2025–2026 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (IDEA-B) federal grants may qualify for additional funding under these grants if they meet specific criteria defining significant expansion of enrollment.

This letter describes the following:

• Criteria defining significant expansion of enrollment for ESSA and IDEA-B
• How open-enrollment charter schools request additional funding due to significant expansion of enrollment

Significant Expansion of Enrollment Criteria for ESSA and IDEA-B

To claim significant expansion of enrollment for both ESSA and IDEA-B, your open-enrollment charter school must meet both of the following criteria based on the newly expanded enrollment:

• A minimum total student enrollment (ages 3–21) of 50
• At least a 50% increase in the total student enrollment (ages 3–21) from previously reported student counts

For example, you would meet the criteria for significant expansion of enrollment if your total student enrollment increased from 250 to 375.

How to Request Access to Enrollment Reporting Form

If your open-enrollment charter school meets the criteria for significant expansion of enrollment for federal funding, email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting (FFCR) Division of the Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ at compliance@tea.texas.gov with your charter school name, county-district number and a request that your 2025–2026 SC5050– LEA Enrollment Data Request (SC5050) be opened.

The SC5050 collects actual enrollment data. Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ will open the SC5050 for you to enter, certify and submit current actual enrollment counts. The current actual enrollment counts will be verified against the significant expansion criteria. You must maintain auditable documentation of the submitted data and be prepared to submit this documentation to Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ upon request.

Timeline for Form Submission and Additional Funding

You may submit the updated SC5050 as soon as the 2025–26 school year begins. The final date for submitting the SC5050 is January 31, 2026.

Any additional grant funding becomes available for either the 2025–26 or 2026–27 school year, depending on when you submit the updated SC5050.

For Further Information

If you have questions, please contact the FFCR Division by email at compliance@tea.texas.gov.