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 nation’s public charter schools. Authorizers across the country refer to these standards as a guide to the policies and practices that support both the autonomy and accountability necessary for charter schools to do the job of educating children well.

“Too many children in this country still do not have access to a great school, said NACSA President and CEO Greg Richmond. “Charters have been and will continue to be a part of the solution– but only if they are good. These principles and standards assist authorizers in creating an environment that facilitate the growth and success of high-quality educational choices—giving more children the opportunities a great education can bring.”

This cornerstone publication articulates a set of principles derived from deep collective experience in approval, oversight, and renewal of charter schools and identifies and describes the core responsibilities for authorizers that will put these principles into action. The 2012 edition provides authorizers and policymakers with:

• More detailed guidance on essential academic, financial, and organizational performance standards;
• New standards concerning overseeing special education; and
• New standards concerning school autonomy.

First released in 2004 and published bi-annually Principles & Standards is the recognized source for comprehensive guidance on how to best implement and maintain high standards in charter school authorizing. NACSA releases the publication bi-annually to help further strengthen the charter school sector, by fostering the growth and development of high quality charter schools. Principles & Standards is developed with input from a national advisory panel of experienced practitioners in the field, as well as through NACSA’s years of experience in providing direct authorizing assistance, as well as evaluation of authorizer practice, research, and policy work. These standards have informed state policy, providing a framework in which authorizers may fully execute their essential duties in the charter sector, and have been referenced in state statutes as the standard for charter school authorizing.

“A successful charter sector focused on strong student outcomes requires the commitment of all stakeholders to principles that advance excellence,” said Jim Peyser, partner at NewSchools Venture Fund, former chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education, and chairman of the board of NACSA. “Principles & Standards has long been a foundational guide for charter school authorizers who recognize that quality authorizing is critical to achieving great public charter schools. These standards have undoubtedly helped to shape the charter sector and will continue to do so as we work to provide more children with high-quality educational options.”