NACSA Blog

NACSA Blog

Press Releases


Multi-State Analysis of Charter School Proposals and Approvals Reveals a Diverse Sector Shaped by Authorizers

Report uncovers increased share of freestanding school proposals, decrease in for-profit and “No Excuses” proposals, and few proposals receive philanthropic support.  CHICAGO — A new report released today by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) offers a never-before-seen …


New Digital Campaign Highlights the Need to Improve Charter School Authorizing

New explainer videos demystify the role of charter school authorizers, which remains largely misunderstood 25 years into the charter school movement. The critical role authorizers play in determining the overall quality of …


NACSA CEO Testifies to Congress on Power of Charter School Authorizing

On June 13, 2018, NACSA President and CEO Greg Richmond and a select panel of education reform leaders will testify in front of the House Education and Workforce Committee on the value of charter …


NACSA Testifies on CA Authorizing Bill SB 1362

Today, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Policy Director Veronica Brooks-Uy will testify before the California Senate Education Committee on SB 1362, a bill that addresses charter school authorizing issues …


New Report Identifies What Charter School Authorizers Do Differently to Achieve High-Performing Portfolios

New report finds successful authorizing depends on great leadership, institutional commitment, and strong professional judgment CHICAGO — Today, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) releases “Leadership, Commitment, Judgment: Elements of …


National Association of Charter School Authorizers Launches Search for New Leader Following Resignation of CEO

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) announced today that Greg Richmond, its President and CEO, resigned and departed the organization, and M. Karega Rausch, NACSA’s current Vice President of Research …


Authorizing for Impact: What We Learned at the 2019 NACSA Leadership Conference

Dr. Bettina Love kicked off the 2019 NACSA Leadership Conference with a passionate and provocative keynote asking us all to put something on the line to build something better and bigger for …


Minutes Matter: Reducing Reporting Burdens with Performance-Based Waivers

This piece is part of our interactive Authorizer Showcases, which highlight how authorizers around the country are tackling obstacles related to access, accountability, and autonomy. “Minutes matter,” says Beth Topoluk, executive director …


How to Have Fun at #NACSAcon 2019

We know charter school authorizers actually think it’s fun to choose from 50 in-depth conference sessions, led by over 100 expert speakers on authorizing topics. We also know authorizers think it’s fun …


Analysis of Georgia’s Charter School Proposals and Approved Schools Reveals Growing, Diverse Sector  

CHICAGO — A new report released today by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) offers a first-ever look at the trends in Georgia’s charter school pipeline—what kinds of schools are being …


Authorizers Have an Important Role in Supporting Students with Disabilities

At a recent convening of the National Center for Special Education in Charter School’s (NCSECS) Equity Coalition, a panel discussed the question “who is looking out for students with disabilities in high-choice …


Authorizers Must Ensure the Charter Sector Lives Up to Its Many Promises

What is the purpose of a charter school? Often, when talking about the role of charter schools, proponents focus on a single purpose. Some claim parental choice alone is enough for charters …


2019 Legislative Trends Impacting Authorizing: Diverging Opinions on Statewide Authorizing (Part 2)

This week, we continue our two-part series on 2019 legislative trends with a look at two diverging approaches to statewide authorizing that emerged in statehouses across the country Expanding or Strengthening Statewide …


2019 Legislative Trends Impacting Authorizing: More Expectations and Protecting Autonomy (Part 1)

Despite the tenor of the national rhetoric, 2019 was a quiet year for charter school legislation in statehouses across the country. That said, as we reflect on this year’s legislative activity, two …


Authorizers Are Key to Equity Efforts: Takeaways from The Century Foundation’s Report on State Policies Targeting Equity and Access

As public schools with the flexibility to do things differently, charter schools have the unique potential to meet the particular needs and interests of their individual communities when it comes to ensuring …