CSP-MO Grant Competition Overview

The Charter Schools Program (CSP) is authorized by Title IV, part C - Expanding Quality Through Quality Charter Schools of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) [20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j]. The CSP State Entity program provides financial assistance to State entities to support charter schools that serve elementary and secondary school students in a given State. Charter schools receiving funds under the CSP State Entity program also may serve students in early childhood education programs or postsecondary students. 

The major purposes of the CSP are to expand opportunities for all students, particularly traditionally underserved students, to attend charter schools and meet challenging State academic standards; provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of public charter schools; increase the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the United States; evaluate the impact of charter schools on student achievement, families, and communities; share best practices between charter schools and other public schools; encourage States to provide facilities support to charter schools; and support efforts to strengthen the charter school authorizing process. 

The CSP Grants to State Entities program (84.282A) is a competitive grant program that enables State entities to award subgrants to eligible applicants in their State to open and prepare for the operation of new charter schools and to replicate and expand high-quality charter schools. Grant funds must also be used by the State entity to provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies in opening and preparing for the operation of new charter schools, or replicating or expanding high-quality charter schools; and to work with authorized public chartering agencies to improve authorizing quality, including developing capacity for, and conducting, fiscal oversight and auditing of charter schools. 

In September 2023, The Opportunity Trust was awarded $35.5 million over 5 years for the CSP-Missouri (CSP-MO) - Expanding Access to Quality Public Schools in Missouri program by the U.S. Department of Education (Department) under the FY 2023 CSP State Entities Grants Program.