NACSA Blog

NACSA Blog

Press Releases


NACSA Selects Third Cohort for Leaders Program

The success of the charter school sector depends on having strong authorizers capable of managing a portfolio of high-performing schools and ensuring that every charter school provides an outstanding education to its …


Strong Authorizing Practices Produced Better Schools for 230,000 Students in 2013

More than 230,000 students are attending better schools in 2013 because of the actions of charter school authorizers across the country, according to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA). Authorizers …


National Association of Charter School Authorizers and the Charter School Growth Fund release recommendatons for successful replication of high-performing charter schools

State policies must change to differentiate and grow high-performing charter schools and weed out the low performers according to a report released today by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) …


NACSA Calls on Nation’s Charter School Authorizers to Act Now to Maintain Accountability

In a statement released today, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) cautioned that while the upcoming shift to Common Core standards provides a long-term opportunity to improve the nation’s schools, it …


NACSA releases recommendations on accountability measures for alternative charter schools

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) today released Anecdotes Aren’t Enough: An Evidence-Based Approach to Accountability for Alternative Charter Schools, a report that sets out recommendations for appropriate accountability systems …


Applying Authorizing Principles Across Education

In 2022, NACSA thoroughly reviewed its historical work to identify the principles of quality authorizing with the greatest potential for broader applicability beyond the charter school sector. NACSA staff and advisors looked …


New Charter Schools Need Vetting. But the Process Shouldn’t Shut Good Ones Out

Over the last year, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and our partners engaged nearly 150 school leaders, authorizers, organizations, prospective school founders and advocates — through interviews, focus groups, data …


NACSA’s New Schools With Communities Guide

In every community–especially those historically under-resourced–there is long-ignored and underutilized knowledge and potential. At the heart of NACSA’s work lies the recognition of these tremendous assets and a desire to work with …


Continuing Conversations on Multiple Measures

At NACSA, we work to ensure students and communities—especially those who are historically under-resourced—thrive. Thriving means different things for different students, schools, and communities. And to ensure we capture the value a …


Join the Conversation by Listening to Our New Podcast

Stream our podcast, Community Conversations with NACSA, wherever you listen! With new guests and hosts each episode, you’ll hear from a wide variety of experts as they answer questions like: “What can …


NACSA Names Elisa Westapher Chief Development & Business Officer

M. Karega Rausch, Ph. D., president and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), announced today that Elisa Westapher will serve as NACSA’s chief development and business officer.   “NACSA …


Statement from M. Karega Rausch, Ph. D., NACSA President & CEO on the recent Supreme Court decision to deny certiorari in Peltier vs. Charter Day School

The decision by the United States Supreme Court to not take up the Peltier vs. Charter Day School case means the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit …


New CREDO Study Affirms Authorizing’s Role in Transforming Public Education

NACSA’s work to strengthen the ideas and practices of authorizing so communities—especially those historically under-resourced—thrive was affirmed in the new National Charter School Study III 2023 from the Center for Research on …


NACSA statement on St. Isadore application in Oklahoma

The decision from the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (SVCSB) to approve an application to establish the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School as a religious charter school is inconsistent …


NACSA Statement on U.S. Solicitor General Brief on Peltier v. Charter Day School

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) agrees with the recent brief from Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar who affirmed that charter schools are public schools. The Solicitor General’s brief is consistent with the ruling from …