Program areas at NACSA
Policy and communication nacsa engages public officials and education policy organizations across the nation to advance strong Charter School authorizing policies and practices. Nacsa collaborates with Charter and education policy organizations to provide data and evidence to influence policymakers and promote policies that improve outcomes for students. As an independent voice for quality Charter School authorizing, nacsa also serves as a leadership organization in the Charter sector and helps National and local media interpret how events in the news are impacting Charter School performance and oversight.
Human capital nacsa recognizes the impact of human capital needs of the nations Charter School Authorizers on the overall improvement of quality in the sector. Nacsas human capital initiatives work to increase the number of quality individuals entering the field, to cultivate and develop highpotential talent already working in authorizing, and to build a powerful network of current and future effective leaders to help retain them in the sector. Nacsas initiatives in these areas include its leaders program, the leaders alumni program, an introductory bootcamp delivered in multiple mediums, various cohorts responding to contextual and landscape-based needs, and other targeted asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities.
Technical support technical support services provide an array of targeted activities to meet an authorizer'Authorizers's needs. Nacsa aims to meet Authorizers where they are and help them set a path for development and improvement. Services range from planning and evaluation to resource development to decision management. Resource development includes policies, protocols, and key chartering templates such as a state specific or context-tailored performance framework. It also includes guidance on effective practices related to application decision making, School monitoring and oversight, performance management, renewal decision making, and School closure. Decision management services allow Authorizers to rely on nacsa to develop and manage rigorous, merit-based processes for key authorizer decisions including decisions about whether to approve new School applications. Nacsa's purpose is to help Authorizers maintain high standards and public accountability for Charter schools while respecting the autonomy that is an essential component of the Charter idea. In pursuit of that goal, nacsa's principles & standards of quality Charter authorizing (principles & standards) provides the foundation for the delivery of technical support services. First published in 2004 and most recently updated in 2018, these professional standards are used to guide authorizing practices across the country and are referenced in state statutes. Nacsa's principles & standards reflect best practices identified through years of experience in working with authorizing agencies of all types and sizes across the country. The principles articulate core beliefs that undergird quality Charter School authorizing, while the standards describe essential authorizing responsibilities and important elements in carrying them out. The principles & standards are a practical guide to understanding and fulfilling the critical responsibilities of Charter School Authorizers. These guidelines are disseminated and shared with Authorizers, inform state and federal legislation, and serve as the basis for evaluation of authorizer practices.
Research and evaluation nacsas research focuses on identifying and tracking active Charter Authorizers nationwide; analyzing the academic performance of authorizer Charter School portfolios; investigating the implementation of Charter School authorizing practices nationally; and pursuing research that informs nacsas policy and advocacy objectives. Nacsas research and evaluation team is also charged with evaluating nacsas progress toward its strategic plan goals. Annual conference nacsa conducts its own annual conference each fall, most recently virtually hosting over 900 Authorizers from across the country. The conference features nationally recognized keynote and plenary speakers and a choice of more than 40 highly interactive and practice-oriented workshops developed by and for Charter Authorizers and focused on issues of topical importance to all who are dedicated to advancing Charter schools. Membership nacsa was founded by and continues to serve a diverse array of authorizing agencies including state education agencies, School districts, colleges and universities, special purpose or independent chartering boards, municipalities, and private not-for-profit organizations. Several active and former Authorizers serve along with non-authorizers on the nacsa board of directors. Nacsa publishes issue briefs, case studies, and monographs. Nacsa also hosts a webinar series, creates opportunities for shared learning via virtual cohorts, and facilitates meetings that bring together members to discuss special topics of common concern. Member feedback is also solicited throughout the year and nacsa continues to find ways to facilitate sharing and dialogue among members. Members are also connected to other nacsa divisions if they seek additional knowledge or are looking for more customized resources.