An updated version of the CSP nonregulatory guidance handbook is available, which addresses questions the Department has received regarding various provisions of the CSP authorizing statute (Title V, Part B of the ESEA). The new guidelines do not contain all of the information needed to comply with CSP requirements and other requirements of Federal law (including civil rights obligations), but provide guidance on the CSP and examples of ways to implement it.

This updated version of the CSP nonregulatory guidance addresses additional issues that have arisen under the program since the Department released previous versions of the CSP guidance in 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2011. Specifically, this document clarifies the circumstances under which charter schools receiving CSP funds may use weighted lotteries in admissions (Questions E-3 and E-3a) and provides guidance on how existing grantees may request permission to amend their applications to allow for the use of weighted lotteries.

The Department of Education continues to review this nonregulatory guidance and may publish clarifications or modifications of specific sections when appropriate. Any updates to this nonregulatory guidance will be made available on the Department’s Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/legislation.html.

To see the entire handbook, visit: MS Word (203 KB).