Expressions of interest in running private charter schools close on Friday.
The Government charter school working group has asked for the expressions so it can help potential applicants prepare for a formal process expected later in the year.
Radio New Zealand's education correspondent says expressions of interest are not compulsory for those who want to bid to run a partnership school.
But the working group says the exercise will show interested parties what information they will have to provide, should Parliament pass the legislation enabling the creation of partnership schools.
It says the expressions of interest will also help it learn more about the sort of proposals that might be submitted.
A bill allowing the schools to be set up is about to be considered by the education and science select committee.
The Government hopes to set up the first schools next year.
