Closing a charter school is the toughest decision an authorizer will have to make, and it is a decision no one takes lightly. Closures require detailed preparation, and careful deliberation with all people involved.

Political pressure, concerns of ongoing litigation, lack of board support, and an absence of better options are just a few of the reasons a closure decision weighs heavily on an authorizer. Authorizers can successfully navigate the tough decisions that accompany closures with the right tools and resources.

NACSA has created just that. Accountability in Action: A Comprehensive Guide to Charter School Closure is an authorizer’s handbook to maneuvering the complexities of closure. Authorizers across the country have relied on this publication to help them build the case for closure, educate decision makers, and, most importantly, support families through the transitions related to the closing of a school.

The narrative is accompanied by sample documents designed to take the guesswork out of key aspects of the process. This includes a sample timeline, resolutions for non-renewal and revocation, and answers to questions frequently asked by parents. Each of these resources may be customized to an authorizer’s environment and circumstances.

We often hear from our members that they lose more sleep over the charter schools they haven’t closed than the ones they have. If a school is persistently failing kids, it is an authorizer’s responsibility to close it. With the support of Accountability in Action, authorizers have everything they need to manage this process well, ensuring that there only high-quality choice options in the communities they serve.