Texas charter hopefuls face Nov. 12 deadline for Generation 32 applications

Nonprofits, colleges and government bodies hoping to launch a new charter school in Texas have until Nov. 12, 2026, to submit a Generation 32 application to the Texas Education Agency, according to the agency’s charter applicant page.

The filing is only the first step in a review that runs into summer 2027. Schools approved in this round would not open until after the State Board of Education weighs in next June.

Who can apply

Under the Texas Education Code, the state can grant an open-enrollment charter (known as a Subchapter D charter) only to certain kinds of organizations. TEA lists four: a public institution of higher education, a private or independent institution of higher education, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, or a governmental entity. Individuals and for-profit companies cannot hold the charter themselves.

Public senior colleges and junior colleges can apply separately under Subchapter E, and the agency runs its own track for operators it deems “high-performing” based on ratings in Texas or results in other states. TEA notes that, under Senate Bill 569, applicants may also propose a full-time virtual or full-time hybrid campus using an addendum built into each application.

The calendar after Nov. 12

TEA’s posted timeline for standard Generation 32 applicants runs roughly like this (dates marked by the agency as approximate are noted):

• Nov. 16 to Dec. 11, 2026: TEA checks applications for completeness.
• Dec. 14 to 18, 2026: a short remedy window to fix gaps.
• Around Jan. 8, 2027: applicants learn whether they advance to external review.
• Jan. 13 to March 19, 2027: outside reviewers score complete applications.
• Around April 2, 2027: notices on who advances to capacity interviews.
• May 4 to 14, 2027: capacity interviews with TEA and State Board of Education representatives.
• May 28, 2027: the commissioner proposes awards.
• June 2027: State Board of Education meeting.

TEA also warns that once an application is submitted, applicants must not contact TEA staff or board members about its content until external review ends. Questions about required fields and assembly are allowed.

The board’s veto and the state cap

The commissioner picks the finalists, but the elected State Board of Education can block them. TEA’s Generation 32 FAQ explains that the board may veto a proposed charter by a majority of members present and voting, and that a veto ends the application for that cycle. There is no appeal; a rejected group can apply again in a later generation.

The FAQ also points to the statutory limit on how many open-enrollment charters Texas can have at once: 305, under Texas Education Code Section 12.101(b-2).

Faster tracks for established operators

TEA’s high-performing entity track moves on a shorter clock. Applications for a January 2027 decision were due Oct. 8, with the commissioner expected to propose awards around Nov. 20. A second high-performing round, aimed at an April 2027 board meeting and schools opening in August 2028 or later, takes submissions through Nov. 20, 2026.

What school leaders and families should know

For district leaders, the Generation 32 list is an early signal of where new public school options may appear in 2028. Families will not see enrollment information from these schools for a while. Even after board action, a new charter typically needs months of facility, staffing and enrollment work before opening day.

TEA is holding final office hours for applicants on Nov. 10. The agency’s charter team can be reached at CharterApplication@tea.texas.gov.