New Law Speeds Closure of Troubled Charter Schools

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The number of troubled charter schools that are forced to close is accelerating because of a new state law that makes it easier to shutter poorly performing ones. The Texas Education Agency has revoked the license of five charter schools since February. The Dallas Morning News reports that three others, including Tyler’s Azleway Charter School and one co-founded by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, have appeals pending. If the three appeals are unsuccessful, it would result in the most revocations of a charter’s license in a single year. A recent ruling by a state appeals court determined the TEA can still revoke the license of a school while court action is pending. The law enacted last year requires the TEA to close charters after three consecutive years of poor academic or financial performance.