NACSA Blog

NACSA Blog

Press Releases


DC Public Charter School Board Executive Director to Serve as Board Chair of National Charter Organization

Scott Pearson to serve as chair of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ Board of Directors  CHICAGO— The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) announced today that Scott Pearson will …


NACSA Encourages President Obama to Sign Every Student Succeeds Act

Today, the US Senate passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)—a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—in an 85-12 vote. The legislation, which was passed by the US House …


Alabama Charter School Law Lands in Top 5 for School Oversight According to National Analysis

A national ranking of charter school policies released today by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) recognizes and applauds the strength of Alabama’s first charter school law. The report, “On …

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Oklahoma Charter School Laws Land in Top 10 for School Oversight According to National Analysis

A national ranking of charter school policies released today by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) recognizes and applauds the strength of Oklahoma’s charter school oversight provisions. The report, “On …

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Strong Charter School Accountability Laws in Nevada Receive Perfect Score in National Analysis

Nevada’s strong charter school laws earned the highest score in a national ranking of charter school policies out today from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA). The report, “On the …

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Helping Charter Schools Access Federal Resources for COVID-19

With so much changing daily regarding COVID-19 and the federal response to it, it can be difficult to keep up with everything that could help support charter schools during this challenging time. …


New Bellwether Toolkit Helps Authorizers and Schools Reground, Prioritize, Plan, and Connect in Response to COVID-19

By Tresha Ward, Katie Rouse, Stephanie Spangler, and Eleisha Nelson-Reed of Bellwether Education Partners Over the last four weeks, authorizers across the country have had to make a flood of challenging and …


Responding to Crisis Demands Balance: Three States Offer Models for Planning with Flexibility

As of April 9th, 17 states have already closed or recommended school building closures for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. With extended closures inevitable for more states, how can charter …


How One Charter School Authorizer is Responding to COVID-19

By Scott Pearson, Executive Director of the D.C. Public Charter Schools Board This is a critical time for authorizers. How we respond to COVID-19 will make a difference to the lives of …


New Resource: Maintaining Lottery Integrity in Times of Crisis

Clear and transparent lotteries are critical to ensuring equitable access for students to enroll in charter schools. All states require the use of lotteries in situations when charter schools are oversubscribed, and …


When Moving Too Quickly Fails: On Supporting Communities During Disasters

By Patrick Dobard, CEO, New Schools for New Orleans A Note from NACSA: We are fortunate to have Patrick Dobard as a NACSA board member. His wisdom and thought partnership are invaluable. …


What Charter School Authorizers Can Do Right Now to Address COVID-19

“Communicate, listen, and go slow.”  -Patrick Dobard On Wednesday, NACSA hosted a community conversation with over 150 charter school authorizers and support organizations, the first in an ongoing series of conversations to …


At Last? Will Florida Finally Get More Charter School Authorizing Options?

A bill pending in Florida’s House of Representatives could finally accomplish what charter school advocates have been working on for nearly two decades: adding an alternative to district charter school authorizers. The …


Latest Federal Budget Proposal Is a Big Loss—Not Only for Charter Schools, But All Public Schools

The President’s recently-released 2021 budget proposal would be harmful to public education, especially charter schools. While President Trump and his administration have expressed a commitment to school choice, this proposal abandons dozens …


What We’re Watching: Trends from NACSA’s 2020 Charter School Advocacy Survey

For the third year, NACSA surveyed advocacy organizations and policy partners across the country to learn more about what is on their agendas and what charter related legislation they anticipate in the …