Quality authorizing can exist within many contexts and structures. One of those contexts is within higher education institutions (HEIs). We examined how and what HEIs contribute to the charter schools’ landscape. This includes the policy landscape, unique challenges and tensions faced by HEIs, and the benefits of college sand universities engaging in authorizing.

NACSA conducted focus groups, interviews, and surveys with 19 authorizing professionals to learn about their experiences with and approach to charter school authorizing. The authorizing professionals who participated in this research project oversaw 81% of the charter schools overseen by HEI authorizers nationally. This research is an opportunity to share best practices and possibilities for students, and to inform future policy. These lessons learned can and should encourage other colleges and universities to consider charter school authorizing.

Learn more about HEI authorizing and our findings here.