In response to the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report “Nationwide Assessment of Charter and Education Management Organizations,” the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) released the following statement:

“Networks of charter schools are relatively new and public systems for financial oversight need to keep pace with new educational models. The overlap of federal, state and district oversight is complex and doesn’t always work as it should. The OIG’s report demonstrates the crucial role that authorizers can play to ensure nothing is overlooked and all charter schools are spending tax dollars appropriately. This requires financial transparency, strong and clear policies, and sufficient resources for authorizers to do their jobs. To solve the issues raised by the report, states need to invest in quality authorizing and update policies to specifically address CMO oversight.”

NACSA’s Core Performance Framework offers academic, financial and organizational performance frameworks that authorizers can use to develop or improve their own oversight process and materials. More resources and tools for authorizers are available at www.qualitycharters.org.

About NACSA

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is an independent voice for effective charter school policy and thoughtful charter authorizing practices that lead to more great public schools. Our research, policy, and consultation work advances excellence and accountability in the charter school sector. With authorizers and other partners, we have built the gold standard for charter school authorizing. Through smart charter school growth, these authorizers will give hundreds of thousands of children an opportunity for a better education each year. More at www.qualitycharters.org

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