Reporting Requirements: Revising a Charter

Charter schools operate with expanded autonomy in exchange for increased accountability. A charter school is held accountable to the language set forth in the approved initial and/or renewal charter application, which becomes part of the school’s charter agreement. A revision is a change to the school design as provided in the charter agreement. These revisions may include, but are not limited to, changes to the academic program, governance structure, mission, key design elements, location of the school, and/or certain policies and procedures. 

Revisions to a charter may require the approval of either the SUNY Board of Trustees or the SUNY Charter Schools Institute in accordance with the charter agreement . 

Types of Charter Revisions

  • Material Revisions: changes that require specific permission by the SUNY Board of Trustees or the SUNY Charter Schools Institute prior to implementation. These changes may include, as determined by the SUNY Charter Schools Institute, enrollment changes, at-risk admissions preferences, or management company changes.
  • Non-Material Revisions: slight changes to the school’s educational philosophy, key design elements, mission or vision, governance or leadership structure, curriculum model, school design, school’s calendar or schedule, and/or policies and procedures. 
  • No Prior Approval Required: changes a school can make on its own without seeking permission from the Institute such as a change to the mission statement (charter 3.2), or a change in class size or number of students per grade (charter 3.3). 

Guidelines for Requesting a Charter Revision

  • When considering a revision, please review the Institute’s Guide to Revising a Charter for submission requirements, timelines, and other pertinent information. 

  • Schools should plan requests for a charter revision well in advance of implementation to allow enough time for processing.  Please note the following due dates for all revision requests: 

    • Merger or Addition of a New Elementary, Middle or High School Program – December 1, 2025

    • Enrollment or Admissions Policy Revisions for the 2026-27 School Year – February 16, 2026

    • All Other Material Revisions to be Implemented for the 2026-27 School Year – April 1, 2026 or 60 Days before implementation

    • Schools Under Renewal Consideration – With Renewal Application (August 17, 2026)

    • Nonmaterial Revisions – Ongoing but at least 30 days before implementation

To submit a revision or if you have any questions, please email the Institute’s Legal Department at Charter.Legal@suny.edu.