Public Charter Schools Program - Planning and Implementation Discretionary Subgrant

The Public Charter Schools Program Planning and Implementation Discretionary Subgrant is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education through its Office of Education Choice and Family Engagement, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The program is designed to strengthen public education by supporting the creation and expansion of high-quality charter schools. It aligns with federal objectives to improve educational outcomes, promote innovation, and expand access to diverse and effective learning environments for students, particularly those from underserved populations. The primary purpose of this subgrant is to provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of new charter schools. The program emphasizes increasing the number of high-quality charter schools and improving educational opportunities through innovative teaching models and flexible school structures. It also supports the evaluation of charter school performance, dissemination of best practices, and efforts to enhance accountability, transparency, and authorizer oversight. A strong focus is placed on expanding access for students with disabilities, English learners, and other historically underserved groups. Funding supports a defined set of allowable activities tied to startup and early-stage development. These include professional development for teachers and school leaders, acquisition of instructional materials and equipment, community engagement and recruitment efforts, and other one-time startup costs necessary to prepare a school for operation. Funds may also be used for temporary facilities such as portable classrooms under strict conditions. However, the program prohibits use of funds for ongoing operational expenses such as salaries, utilities, or facility construction, as well as loan repayment or indirect costs. All expenditures must comply with federal cost principles and be necessary, reasonable, and allocable to the project. Eligible applicants include new charter schools approved to open in the 2026–27 or 2027–28 school year, charter schools in their first year of operation seeking implementation-only funding, and applicants awaiting authorizer approval at the time of submission. However, final funding is contingent upon formal approval and execution of a charter agreement by June 30, 2026. Applicants must meet the federal definition of a charter school, operate as nonprofit, nonsectarian public schools, and comply with all applicable federal and state regulations, including civil rights laws and audit requirements. The application process requires submission through an online system and includes multiple components such as a project abstract, detailed proposal narrative, budget summary and narrative, and a comprehensive set of attachments. These attachments include documentation of nonprofit status, letters of support, governance plans, and compliance assurances. Applications are evaluated through a peer review process based on criteria including school design, financial sustainability, governance capacity, and alignment with program goals. Competitive priority points may be awarded for proposals addressing factors such as underserved communities, low-performing school zones, or service to at-risk populations. The application deadline for this funding cycle is May 8, 2026, with awards expected to be announced in July 2026. The program includes a structured performance timeline with required benchmarks, reporting milestones, and accountability measures throughout the project period. Planning and implementation subgrants may span up to 36 months, while implementation-only grants are limited to 24 months. Subgrantees must meet performance benchmarks and reporting requirements to continue receiving funding across phases. Technical assistance was provided through a pre-application session held on March 23, 2026, and applicants may access recordings by contacting the program office via email. For additional support or inquiries, applicants can contact designated program staff within the South Carolina Department of Education. The program is expected to operate on a recurring annual cycle, subject to federal funding availability, with continued emphasis on expanding high-quality charter school options across the state.

Ensure strict adherence to narrative structure and scoring rubric; provide clear evidence for competitive priorities; demonstrate financial sustainability and compliance readiness; submit all required attachments completely and accurately