This document, created by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), provides guidance for newly opening charter schools. This guide can be used to keep track of MDE deadlines, access the reporting calendar and follow the steps necessary to ensure the utilization of all the resources and revenue available from the state. This guidance document does not replace an authorizer's ready-to-open standards. MDE's "Guide to Opening a New Charter School" only addresses areas in which new charter school Local Education Agencies (LEA) interact with MDE.