Chicago, lll. – The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is pleased to congratulate Senior Advisor Nelson Smith on his election into the National Charter School Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes his long-standing contributions to charter schools and charter school authorizing.

For more than 15 years, Smith has been a champion for quality within the charter school community. His impact began as an authorizer—serving as the founding executive director of the DC Public Charter School Board, an organization that has grown into one of the best authorizing offices in the country. From there he launched the National Alliance for Public Charter School (NAPCS), an organization dedicated to advancing the quality, growth, and sustainability of charter schools. Serving as its first president and CEO, he helped shift the national charter conversation to quality by commissioning a report challenging the movement to focus as much on quality as it had on growth.

“Nelson’s intellect, integrity and humility embodies the principles of so many in the charter school community,” said Greg Richmond, president and CEO of NACSA. “Today the charter school community honors the work Nelson has done passionately advocating for more great schools while staying committed to quality and results for children.”

Smith continues to make valuable contributions to the charter school community here at NACSA, leading work on accountability for alternative charter schools and building relationships between authorizing and the world of charter school facility finance.