2026–2027 Charter School Governance Reporting: Don't Miss the December 4 Deadline!
GRANTS MANAGEMENT
11/4/2026
It's that time of year again! The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has opened the annual Governance Reporting window for Texas charter schools. While governance reporting may feel like just another compliance task on an already full to-do list, it serves an important purpose: ensuring that charter school leadership, board composition, and governance practices remain transparent and accountable.
The reporting window opened October 5, 2026, and all submissions must be completed by Friday, December 4, 2026.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ahead of this requirement! Today's Tip will walk you through what must be reported, who is responsible, and the steps your charter should take to ensure a timely and accurate submission.
Who Must Be Included in Governance Reporting?
Each charter school must complete governance reporting for its governing board members and school officers.
This includes:
Members of the charter holder's governing board
Members of a secondary charter school board, if applicable
Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer
Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer
Business Manager/Chief Financial Officer
Principals and Assistant Principals
Other central office personnel with administrative leadership responsibilitity
Important: A separate online submission is required for each individual. If someone serves in multiple capacities, all applicable roles should be identified on that individual's submission.
What Information Is Required?
The Governance Reporting Form collects several categories of information:
Contact Information: Names, addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information for each individual.
Roles and Responsibilities: Board positions, leadership titles, and specific powers and duties delegated to each individual.
Compensation: Annual compensation for the 2026–2027 school year, including applicable salaries, benefits, contractual payments, and other forms of remuneration.
Compliance Information: Disclosures regarding family relationships, eligibility to serve, required governance training, and other statutory compliance matters.
Website Transparency: Schools must provide website links demonstrating compliance with applicable public posting requirements, including:
Governing board member names
Superintendent/CEO salary
Required financial statements
Early childhood literacy and mathematics proficiency plans
College, career, and military readiness plans
TIP: Before beginning your submission, take a few minutes to review your school's website. Are the required documents posted? Are the links working? Is the information current? This is a great opportunity to catch and correct any missing information!
Action Steps: What Should Your Charter Do Now?
Identify your reporting coordinator. Designate someone to gather information from board members and school officers, coordinate signatures, and track completion.
Verify your board composition. Review the management information on file with the Texas Secretary of State and confirm that your board membership aligns with your charter's approved bylaws.
Gather required information. Use TEA's Governance Reporting Form as a reference to collect information from each applicable individual.
Confirm governance training compliance. Verify that board members and school officers have completed applicable training requirements or qualify for an allowable exception or completion period. Maintain supporting documentation.
Review your school's website. Confirm that all required governance, financial, and academic information is publicly accessible.
Complete the online submissions. Access the Charter School Tracking System (CSTS) through TEAL. Individuals with the Charter Data Entry role may assist with entering information.
Obtain signatures and maintain records. Print the completed forms and obtain each individual's signature and date. Signed copies must remain on file at the charter school or district office in Texas.
Certify and submit! The individual with superintendent authority, assigned the Charter Approver role, must certify and submit the completed reports through CSTS by December 4, 2026. Be sure every required form reflects a "submitted" status.
A Few Important Reminders!
Paper submissions are NOT accepted. All governance information must be submitted electronically through CSTS in TEAL. Paper copies are required for your school's records, but they do not replace electronic submission.
Keep those signed forms! TEA may request signed governance forms during a site visit or require copies to be provided within three business days.
Helpful Resources
For questions specific to governance reporting, contact TEA at chartergovernance@tea.texas.gov or reach out to your assigned charter school portfolio coordinator.
Have Questions or Need Assistance?
December 4 will be here before we know it, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday in between!
At inSchools, we understand that running a charter school means juggling countless responsibilities, deadlines, and compliance requirements. Our goal is to help you stay informed, prepared, and ahead of the curve.
Whether you're navigating governance requirements, managing school business operations, or simply need a trusted resource to help you work through a compliance question, our team is here to help!
Need help?
Don't wait until the deadline. Start your governance reporting review today!
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