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 …


Nevada is Betting on, not Blaming, its Charter School Sector

In an era of heightened partisanship around charter schools, Nevada’s recently enacted package of reform bills proves that hostile politics don’t have to be part of the narrative. Instead, Nevada is making …


The Good, Bad, and Ugly on Pennsylvania’s Legislative Docket

At least 10 charter-related bills were recently introduced by Pennsylvania legislators from both sides of the aisle. In a state that has struggled to improve its charter school law—one of the most …


If It Works, We Want More: Expanding High-Performing Charter Schools

In US News’ most recent ranking of the best high schools in the country, charter schools crushed it: More than one in five schools on the list was a charter school, despite …


Tennessee Paves a New Avenue for More Great Public Schools

Tennessee recently adopted legislation that creates a state charter school commission and gives the state board of education responsibility for overseeing charter authorizers. These actions should spur charter growth as well as …


It’s Not Just a California Dream: Fix Bad Charter School State Policies to Erase Bad Incentives

“There are wildly different levels of attention being paid to these schools, and charter schools are finding ways to shop around for the weakest oversight. As long as California’s authorizing structure stays …


Heat Wave or Cold Snap: Movement on the Virtual Schools Policy Front?

Virtual charter school reform continues to be a major legislative trend this year: we’re tracking legislation introduced in seven states, with more likely to come. As we take a closer look at …


Preserving Authorizer Judgment: On the Road to a Win in New Mexico

A few things truly set the nation’s strongest charter school authorizers apart from the field. NACSA’s research, released last year in our Quality Practice Project, revealed students are best served when authorizers …


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 …


It’s All About the Balance: California’s Transparency Bill

School choice advocates know the core tenet of the charter school bargain: schools get the autonomy they need to implement programs that work while being held accountable for results with students. In …


The Freshman Class Has a Lesson or Two For the Seniors

The charter school movement is now nearly 30 years old. In these three decades, practitioners and policymakers have learned a lot. States with newer charter laws—like Alabama, Mississippi, and Washington—have learned from …