NACSA Blog

NACSA Blog

Press Releases


A Call for Quality: National Charter School Authorizers Group Says More Failing Schools Must Close For Reform to Fully Succeed

While a great many public charter schools are among their states’ best performers and are paving the way for educational innovation across the U.S., too many are failing to provide a quality …


National Association of Charter School Authorizers Issues Statement on Georgia Charter School Referendum

Greg Richmond, president and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, issued the following statement today on the passage of Georgia’s charter school referendum: “By amending the constitution, voters have …


National Association of Charter School Authorizers Issues Statement on Presidential Election

Greg Richmond, president and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, issued the following statement today on the results of the presidential election: “Like every president for the past twenty …


National Charter Organization Releases New Standards for Authorizers

The National Association for Charter School Authorizers released today its 2012 Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing, providing new standards for authorizers—the entities tasked with approving, monitoring and renewing the …


Mississippi’s New Charter Law a Win for State’s Children

Greg Richmond, president and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, today issued the following statement regarding Governor Phil Bryant’s signature of Mississippi’s new charter school law: “Today, the future …


NACSA’s Statement on Idaho’s HB 422

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) applauds the Idaho legislature’s recent committee approval of the Accelerating Public Charter Schools Act. This bill is aligned with NACSA’s new school application recommendations …


NACSA Announces Dr. Joseph Escobedo as Board Chair

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ (NACSA) Board of Directors announced today Dr. Joseph Escobedo will serve as NACSA’s new board chair beginning in January of 2024. Dr. Escobedo previously served as …


Updating NACSA’s New School Application

Because one of the most consequential decisions any authorizer makes for students and communities is whether to approve a new school to open, we’ve been working with the field over the past …


2023 Change Makers

Our 2023 Change Makers are people, in and around authorizing, who are working and persevering to meet the needs of students, families, and communities. Their work reminds us of the connection between …


Applying Charter Authorizing Principles in the Early Childhood Field

This blog was written by Abby McCartney, Director, Early Care and Education, Afton Partners and Carrie Stewart, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Afton Partners Introduction: Early Care and Education at a Crossroads Despite …


2023 State of Charter Authorizing Report

Authorizing is the most consequential public school governance reform of the past two decades. For the last 20+ years, authorizers have been creating a new landscape, where school autonomy—balanced by fierce accountability …


The Way to More Community-Responsive Schools

Authorizers don’t develop or design new schools. But they are the gateways that help bring these schools to life, providing the conditions and expectations for what extraordinary schools and equitable learning experiences …


Why We Support the Empower Charter School Leaders Act

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) advances and strengthens the ideas and practices of authorizing so students and communities–especially those who are historically under-resourced–thrive. NACSA engages authorizers who oversee more …


We Need Better Research on “Regulation”

Outcomes for all students still matter. And outcomes matter now more than ever with accumulating evidence of inadequate progress in pandemic recovery efforts. And charter schools are achieving impressive outcomes for students. …


Applying Authorizing Principles Across Education

In 2022, NACSA thoroughly reviewed its historical work to identify the principles of quality authorizing with the greatest potential for broader applicability beyond the charter school sector. NACSA staff and advisors looked …