NACSA Blog
Press Releases
Multi-State Analysis of Charter School Proposals and Approvals Reveals a Diverse Sector Shaped by AuthorizersReport 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 AuthorizingNew 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 AuthorizingOn 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 1362Today, 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 PortfoliosNew 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 … |
Friendly Fire from AEIIn The Paperwork Pileup, authors Michael Q. McShane, Jenn Hatfield, and Elizabeth English assert that charter authorizers are often creating “onerous and lengthy” application processes that may scare off charter operators. Why keep harking back to anyone’s “original intent” when we’ve got more than two decades of actual experience to guide practice? |
NACSA Says American Enterprise Institute Report on Charter School Application Process Goes too Far, Calls for Focus on Balanced Authorizing PracticesChicago, Ill. – The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) released the following statement in response to the recommendations in a report on authorizer accountability released today by the American Enterprise … |
We Want YOUR Ideas for the Next Leadership ConferenceNACSA’s 2015 Leadership Conference is in the works! We are developing the schedule now for the October 19-22 program in Denver, Colorado and we want your session ideas! Our priority is to … |
Lenders and Authorizers: Can We Talk?What we quickly discovered is that the two groups have a lot in common, starting with a keen shared interest in strong, sustainable public charter schools. The report is also a pretty good short course for anyone interested in knowing how the two sectors work. |
Greater Collaboration between Charter Authorizers and Lenders Can Ease School Facility Financing Burden, Report ConcludesChicago, Ill. – Today the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) released a joint report aimed at increasing conversation and understanding between lenders and … |
#CharterSchoolsWeek: Finding the Right FitMy mother has always expressed to me that she only wants “what’s best” for me, and this is where my charter school story begins. At 14, I had been attending the same public school for eight years, yet I was unfamiliar with most teachers and students. I often felt invisible, especially during the times where I needed help, and I never knew who to talk to. I didn’t feel comfortable expressing my needs. My mother knew there were better choices for me, places where I could thrive academically and socially. |
Thirteen Years Later, I’m Still an Ambassador for Charter Schoolsin my career at NACSA, I’m still that ambassador for quality charter schools—but in a different way. |
Oklahoma Governor Signs Comprehensive Charter School Bill, Expands Charter Schools StatewideGreat news from Oklahoma today: after two years of hard work on the ground attending coalition meetings, researching data to support various polices and scrutinizing language, Gov. Mary Fallon signed Senate Bill 782 that will expand charters throughout the state. |
Who wants to be an Authorizer? Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities Say Not It!Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) released a report titled “The Feasibility of Alternative Methods for Authorizing Charter Schools in Pennsylvania.”One of the most striking sets of findings is about Higher Education Institution (HEI) authorizers. The Committee contacted colleges and universities in the state and asked them “If the law allowed you to, would you be interested in authorizing charter schools?” The overwhelming answer was no. |
Colorado’s New Charter Law Will Help Grow Charters ResponsiblyEarlier this month, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1184 into law, which will help grow and expand Colorado’s networks of quality charter schools. Colorado has a mix of individual charter schools and … |