Quality authorizing is strengthened when practitioners learn from one another
Our communities bring authorizers together to share real-world challenges and practical solutions. Each community is grounded in NACSA’s national standards and informed by more than 25 years of experience working alongside authorizers.
Led by experts in the field, these communities engage participants through practical tools, up-to-date research, and data-driven insights that reflect the evolving needs of authorizers and authorizing-adjacent professionals.
Whether you are an emerging or established authorizer, our communities connect you to the experts, peers, and tools needed to strengthen your skills.
Communities
Communications Collaborative
The Communications Collaborative is a vibrant peer community dedicated to improving communications around charter school authorizing. Participants share strategies, refine messages, and solve real-world communications challenges together. Conversations draw on expert-insights and practical experience to build transparency, clarity, and public trust.
Best for:
Authorizers responsible for public messaging
Communications staff at authorizing offices
Financial Oversight Community
The NACSA Financial Oversight Community brings together practitioners to grapple with real financial oversight and evaluation challenges. This group provides a place to learn, explore, and connect with and from authorizers, lenders, financial service providers, and school leaders. Authorizers and others can access expertise to help answer questions, reinforce established effective practices, and identify emerging effective practice all while strengthening relationships among participants.
Best for:
Authorizers seeking financial oversight and evaluation support
New Authorizers Network
The New Authorizers Network is a supportive, peer learning community for professionals new to the field of authorizing. Focused on real-world practice and shared problem-solving, this community helps new authorizing build confidence, knowledge, and practical skills. Participants learn alongside peers facing similar challenges and gain access to guidance shaped by decades of authorizing experience.
Best for:
New and novice authorizing staff
Professionals transitioning into authorizing roles
New School Application Implementation Community
The New School Application Implementation Community brings together authorizers who are redesigning and strengthening their new school application processes. Members collaborate to make bold, practical shifts that lead to better decisions and stronger school portfolios. Drawing on NACSA’s New School Application Guidance, built by former authorizers and refined through field experience, participants will engage in hands-on learning, peer feedback, and real-time problem solving.
Best for:
Authorizers revising or launching new school application processes
Leaders ready to make bold shifts in their new school application processes
Join Communities
In early 2025, we will release an updated Model Charter School Application, to strengthen the application process.