NACSA Blog

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NACSA Launches Charter Operator Tracker (Beta) to Support Quality Authorizing in Florida

Today the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) announces the launch of its Charter Operator Tracker (Beta), a new database of information about charter school management organizations and the schools they …


NACSA Commends Bipartisan Charter Provisions included in Every Child Achieves Act

Today, the U.S. Senate passed S. 1177, more commonly referred to as the “Every Child Achieves Act” (ECAA), a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). In response, Greg Richmond, …


NACSA Recognizes U.S. House of Representatives for Strong Charter School Provisions included in the ESEA Reauthorization Act

Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). In response, Greg Richmond, president and CEO of the National Association of …


NACSA Congratulates Senior Advisor Nelson Smith, Newest Charter School Hall of Fame Inductee

Chicago, lll. – The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is pleased to congratulate Senior Advisor Nelson Smith on his election into the National Charter School Hall of Fame, an honor …


NACSA Helps Build Charter School Authorizing Talent with Launch of Fellowship in Partnership with University of Minnesota

Chicago, Ill. – Nearly 25 years after passing the nation’s first charter school legislation, Minnesota continues to lead charter school education with the launch of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers …


ESSER and the Fiscal Cliff

Big changes are on the horizon for charter school authorizers and the schools in their portfolios: the end of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Managing this change will be, for …


NACSA passes the mic to EnTere Ed Collective

As we think about the future of education—especially for kids who look like us—it’s hard not to also reflect on where we’ve come from. Countless folx of color have paved the way …


Untapped Expertise: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Charter School Authorizers

Today, NACSA and the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) released a report titled Untapped Expertise: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Charter School Authorizers, calling on policymakers to increase pathways for HBCUs …


The Work is Never Done: NACSA Resources for DEI in Authorizing

FIRST IN A SERIES In some circles recently, diversity, equity, and inclusion have become taboo words. NACSA, however, stands strong by the idea that a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive authorizing profession …


NACSA’s Statement on Idaho’s HB 422

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) applauds the Idaho legislature’s recent committee approval of the Accelerating Public Charter Schools Act. This bill is aligned with NACSA’s new school application recommendations …


NACSA Announces Dr. Joseph Escobedo as Board Chair

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ (NACSA) Board of Directors announced today Dr. Joseph Escobedo will serve as NACSA’s new board chair beginning in January of 2024. Dr. Escobedo previously served as …


Updating NACSA’s New School Application

Because one of the most consequential decisions any authorizer makes for students and communities is whether to approve a new school to open, we’ve been working with the field over the past …


2023 Change Makers

Our 2023 Change Makers are people, in and around authorizing, who are working and persevering to meet the needs of students, families, and communities. Their work reminds us of the connection between …


Applying Charter Authorizing Principles in the Early Childhood Field

This blog was written by Abby McCartney, Director, Early Care and Education, Afton Partners and Carrie Stewart, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Afton Partners Introduction: Early Care and Education at a Crossroads Despite …


2023 State of Charter Authorizing Report

Authorizing is the most consequential public school governance reform of the past two decades. For the last 20+ years, authorizers have been creating a new landscape, where school autonomy—balanced by fierce accountability …