The success of the charter school sector depends on having strong authorizers capable of managing a portfolio of high-performing schools and ensuring that every charter school provides an outstanding education to its students. In 2012, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) launched its Leaders Program to assist in strengthening the skills and advancing the profession of those entrusted with approving, monitoring, and renewing charter schools. Today, the organization is pleased to announce the selection of the third cohort of this highly-selective and rigorous program.

“Strong authorizing is the proven means to create and expand high-performing charter schools across the county,” said NACSA President and CEO Greg Richmond. “This program provides leaders and emerging leaders of authorizing agencies with the leadership, management and authorizing expertise necessary to make that happen.”

The 2014 cohort of the Leaders Program includes:

• Bonnie Holliday, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia
• Colleston Morgan, Orleans Parish School Board
• Dana Reed, South Carolina Public Charter School District
• Harold Lee, New Jersey Department of Education
• Jennifer Nagourney, Delaware Department of Education
• Joshua Halsey, Washington State Charter School Commission
• Kristin Hines, Indianapolis Mayor’s Office
• Loretta White-Khaalid, Prince George’s County Public Schools
• Mark Michael, Ohio Department of Education
• Mary Bradley, Central Michigan University
• Sagar Gokhale, Chicago Public Schools

The eight-month program combines intensive in-person sessions, online resources, ongoing virtual dialogue, and coaching designed to assist participants working to make a positive difference in their own offices and across the charter sector. It also addresses the skills essential to becoming a premier authorizer, such as executive leadership and management, data-driven decision making, and performance-based accountability.