Update Regarding Charter Schools and the Online Application System

August 25, 2026

Commission staff have identified a challenge with the Student Teacher Stipend Program online application system that is impacting directly funded charter schools that are authorized by a county office of education, district office, or other agency. Specifically, the challenge is that as of this moment (August 24, 2026) the system does not allow directly funded charter schools that are nested under an authorizing LEA to create an application and to act as its own fiscal agent.

Commission staff would like to assure the field that Commission-approved IHE educator preparation programs can continue to select charter schools for student teacher placements. And when the IHE educator preparation program selects the charter school for the clinical practice placement, the stipend funding is reserved for student teachers. This is the good news.

There are two challenges at this time: (1) charter schools may not create an application for the student teachers assigned by the IHE, and (2) student teachers belonging to the charter school appear on the list of candidates for the authorizing LEA. As such, Commission staff is providing the following guidance to the field.

Guidance for IHEs, Authorizing LEAs, and Charter Schools

• IHEs: No action. Continue submitting candidates as normal, including charter school placements.
• Authorizing LEAs have two actions:
  1. Approve and submit to the Commission every candidate that will student teach in the LEA schools by the monthly deadline. Do NOT include the candidates from charter schools.
     • When the Authorizing LEA completes the application and follows the grant award process, candidates that will student teach at the authorizing LEA will be paid on the regular schedule.
  2. Leave each candidate from charter schools authorized by your organization in the queue for now.
     • Do NOT submit them to the Commission or return them to the IHE.
• Charter Schools: Hold until further notice.
  • Reassure student teachers that grant funds have been reserved for them and that they will receive payment; payment may be later than that of their fellow student teachers.
  • Once the challenge is resolved, charter schools will be able to proceed with the application and grant award process to distribute the stipend.

Commission staff is working with the vendor to rectify this challenge and will communicate to the field once there is a resolution.

As always, if there are questions, please reach out to STSP@ctc.ca.gov and/or visit Student Teacher Stipend Program | Commission for more information.