Commentary
How to Start Updating Your New School Application to Reduce the...
June 12, 2025
Most authorizers will need some time to make NACSA’s suggested improvements to their new school application process. Here are some ideas on where to start.  1. Focus on the vision for your …
Commentary
After a Quarter Century: Time to Reboot the New Charter School...
May 7, 2025
The public charter school sector was designed to be responsive and innovative, operating in a space freed from the bogged-down bureaucracy that so often hampers other public schools. Each new public charter …
Who We Are

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is an independent voice for thoughtful charter authorizing practices and policies that lead to more great public schools.

What is Authorizing?

Authorizers are the entities that decide who can start a new charter school, set academic and operational expectations, oversee school performance, and decide if a school remains open.

Authorizing Principles & Standards

Resource guides that identify core authorizer responsibilities and describe how the principles are upheld within each responsibility. They are designed to help set high expectations.

Research

NACSA has created the only national body of research on charter school authorizers. Each year, NACSA collects data about the national authorizing landscape. Our team gathers knowledge on the number of authorizers, their policies and practices, and the performance of their school portfolios.