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 …


Public Education’s Long March to Equality: The Fight is Still Upon Us

On May 18, 2016, NACSA President and CEO Greg Richmond delivered these remarks to the 2nd Annual Independent Charter Schools Summit hosted by the New York City Coalition of Community Charter Schools.   The …


“They Just Want to Play and Talk to Their Friends”

If you read too many blogs about education, you could be convinced that education in America is near death. Our children’s souls are being crushed. “Reforming schools should not be a proxy …


One Authorizer in Arizona: Ask Yourself These Questions

Watch and read edited excerpts of our Story Suite conversation with Whitney Chapa, Executive Director of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools for the past year. Do We Have Equal Expectations? …


Ask the Right Questions About Charter School Graduation Rates

A few years ago, the California Charter School Association revealed Golden State charter performance didn’t align to the usual bell-shaped curve, but instead was clustered at the highest- and lowest-performance levels, creating …


Ask the Right Questions About Charter School Graduation Rates

A few years ago, the California Charter School Association revealed Golden State charter performance didn’t align to the usual bell-shaped curve, but instead was clustered at the highest- and lowest-performance levels, creating …


A Quarter-Life Crisis for Public Charter Schools?

Charter schools celebrate a milestone this year: 25 years. In a Huffington Post piece, NACSA President and CEO Greg Richmond gets real about the shortcomings of charters and shortcomings of the opponents. He argues it’s …


One Authorizer in Ohio: Doing the Right Thing

Here are edited excerpts of our Story Suite conversation with Mark Michael, Director of the Ohio School Sponsorship Program for the Ohio Department of Education. Mark participated in NACSA’s Leaders Program during …


One Set of Data/Four Unique Perspectives on Authorizing and Special Education

As part of NACSA’s 2015 annual survey, we asked authorizers for their perspectives and practices on issues at the intersection of authorizing and special education. We asked about oversight practices, what they do …


New Delhi: Reflections From an International Student’s Past and Present

Editor’s Note: This is Part II in a four part series highlighting public education challenges in New Delhi and how the U.S. charter model may be influencing education reform across the city. …


One Authorizer in Missouri: Making Public Schools the Public’s Schools

What follows are edited excerpts of our Story Suite conversation with Robbyn Wahby, founding Executive Director of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Robbyn also serves as a member of NACSA’s Board …