Join this virtual event to learn about NACSA’s recommendations for rethinking the new school application so that more students and communities have the schools they are rightly demanding. Come to hear from a panel of leaders in the field and consider with your colleagues the implications of these recommendations for your work.

Join this virtual event to learn about NACSA’s recommendations for rethinking the new school application so that more students and communities have the schools they are rightly demanding. Come to hear from a panel of leaders in the field and consider with your colleagues the implications of these recommendations for your work.

In this Third Thursday session, NACSA will share our recently updated Performance Framework Guidance. While you may have a had a taste of the revised framework guidance at NACSACon 2022 in Minneapolis, we are ready to share the full meal. Come to this session to get an overview of the updates, and then dive deeper into the academic, financial, or organizational framework guidance while you begin to consider how to adapt the model to your authorizing contexts.

NACSA’s Virtual Authorizing 101 Workshop is designed for individuals looking to gain a high-level understanding of authorizing best practices. This program offers a unique opportunity for participants to network with NACSA staff, industry experts, and new/novice authorizers across the country.

Through a series of three live virtual 90-minute sessions, learners will engage in scenario-based activities. In preparation for these sessions, learners are required to complete the Authorizing 101 modules that are currently open and accessible to all in AuthoRISE and an activity packet (to be shared following registration).

Meet with NACSA leaders and other experts in the field to learn about key changes in the Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant and analyze the requirements from a competitive perspective.

How can authorizers use Multiple Measures to assess student achievement and school quality? In this session, we will begin exploring how to credibly and reliably use Multiple Measures, as well as how to balance the science and art of data collection. Get a first look at our Multiple Measures Credibility Tool and chat with authorizers about their approaches to measurement tools and data analysis.

NACSACon 2023 planning is underway! Join us for this 45-minute session to learn more about the NACSACon 2023 vision, its connection to Oakland, and what to expect as an attendee. Those hoping to present at NACSACon will discuss session ideas, ask questions, and learn more about the elements of a winning NACSACon proposal. A presenter from last year’s conference will share highlights and takeaways from their conference experience.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Growth: Aligning Accountability with Supporting School Success

While school leaders and authorizers have long debated the merits of measuring proficiency or growth as part of accountability structures, little attention has been paid to how both sets of data points together can help leaders and authorizers build up and celebrate schools beating the odds. During this session, we’ll examine growth measures of all kinds as tools within an accountability system to capture a wider variety of school and student success stories, incentivize greater innovation in curriculum and instruction, and help authorizers use this data to support school success as part of charter renewal. Sharing new research conducted in high growth schools, we will highlight the unique instructional tactics growth-minded teachers use to leverage educational technology, increase student motivation, and help all students work toward proficiency. Growth measures provide a uniquely student- and teacher-centric approach to understanding school success that can better align accountability systems with corresponding school supports.

With the current school year coming to a close, and the ready-to-open period for next year approaching, many authorizers are grappling with issues of enrollment. Join us and be ready to discuss enrollment data, trends, and challenges, as well as the innovative ways that school leaders and authorizers are approaching this topic.

The pandemic upended almost every aspect of school, creating a unique opportunity for educational change. As we sit in the uncertain period following this disruption, is now the ideal moment to reimagine US education?

NACSA welcomes author Rick Hess to our Third Thursdays series to discuss the future of American education and how we might reimagine it. We’ll share key concepts from Hess’ newly published book, the Great School Rethink, and consider the implications for authorizers and authorizing.

Join NACSA for an introduction and overview of our new resources to support Community-Centered Authorizing as it relates to the New Schools Process. Participants will hear from the resource creation team about how to put these tools into action and examples of how they are being used in authorizing offices across the country.

NACSACON is more than just an authorizing conference; it is a leadership conference.

With a wide variety of high-quality sessions led by a diverse group of experts and numerous networking opportunities, you’ll leave NACSACon 2023 fully equipped with the tools, resources, and connections you need to best serve your students and community.

Learn more. 

NACSA’s 2023 Authorizing 101 Workshop is designed for NACSACon attendees looking to gain a high-level understanding of authorizing best practices. Registrants will gain a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of quality authorizing practices through asynchronous learning modules that are assigned as pre-work before the in-person workshop. On-site, learners will engage in scenario-based activities to reinforce their learnings alongside others in the field. 

The in-person session will take place before the 2023 NACSACon kickoff, so that learners may maximize their conference experience through the duration of the event. This program offers a unique opportunity for participants to network with NACSA staff and other new and novice authorizers.  

Cost: $110

*By registering for this program, you are committing to completing all of the required pre-work (online modules and application review) before attending in-person on Monday, October 23rd in Oakland, CA. You will gain access to the pre-work by September 23rd.

This A-GAME convening is part of NACSACon 2023. Join this community of collaborators and explore new ways to measure school quality at renewal (and annually) that go beyond state accountability alone.

It’s a new year and time to talk new school applications. Communities and families continue to seek more and better learning opportunities for their students, and authorizers play a huge role in determining the schools communities have access to, through the new school application. Learn the latest on how to shift rigor from paper to people to more effectively assess the capacity of applicant teams to deliver a great school for students and communities.

Explore the crucial aspects of assessing fiscal stability and navigating liquidation options as ESSER funds approach expiration in our February Third Thursdays session. Join NACSA’s Federal Policy Consultant, Amanda Fenton, and Director of Strategic Partnerships, Jason Zwara, as they guide you through the essentials of this critical topic. Gain valuable insights on effective oversight and assistance strategies, ensuring you are well-prepared to navigate the evolving landscape of charter school funding. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and contribute to meaningful discussions with fellow authorizers.

NACSA is honored to feature the forthcoming report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute titled “Do Authorizer Evaluations Predict the Success of New Charter Schools?” Lead researcher, Adam Kho (Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California) and Alex Quigley (Executive Director of Durham Charter School) will join the Fordham Institute’s David Griffith to explain the report’s methods and findings, as well as some potential takeaways for the field. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in focused dialogue, pose questions, and explore the implications for their own authorizing practices.

Maintaining a high bar for success is central to the work of authorizing, from the new school application to ongoing oversight to renewal decisions. But being the enforcer of all things can wreak havoc on our relationships with school leaders. Join NACSA in welcoming Travonnie Mackey, Co-Founder of Empact, to discuss the way our biases and feedback practices can prevent schools from meeting our standards. In the session, participants will (1) understand the biases that can impact the sense of fairness in our evaluations (2) understand why feedback isn’t landing or shifting behaviors (3) view authorizing through the lens of inclusion.

NACSA’s Authorizing 101 Virtual Workshop is designed for individuals seeking a high-level understanding of best practices in authorizing. This half-day virtual workshop provides a unique opportunity for participants to acquire knowledge of authorizing fundamentals and build connections with NACSA staff as well as fellow new and novice authorizers nationwide. Participants will familiarize themselves with key concepts through independent pre-work, setting the stage for their active involvement in scenario-based workshop activities tailored to refine their proficiency in high-stakes decision-making.

Price: $125 (Members), $200 (Non-Members)

Required Pre-Work*
In preparation for the virtual workshop, participants are expected to complete five online learning modules and an activity packet. In total, this pre-work will take between 4.5-6.5 hours. Instructions for accessing this pre-work will be emailed to registrants beginning April 1, 2024.

*By registering for this program, you are committing to completing all of the required pre-work (online modules and an activity packet) before attending the live workshop.

Gear up for a first look at NACSA’s forthcoming Ready To Open Playbook, slated for release in May. Explore why the Ready To Open process is a cornerstone of charter school success, and gain insights into the actionable strategies outlined in the playbook. Get ready to delve deep into select strategies, equipping you to set the stage for school excellence!

Join NACSA as we continue the Ready To Open conversation. In this session, we will delve into the Ready to Open Criteria, guided by the interests of our participants for a thorough exploration of key areas. We’ll present practical Ready To Open scenarios and foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented discussion. Building on last month’s examination of the Playbook, this event promises to be both informative and interactive.

This is the third session offered by NACSA focused on the Ready To Open resource suite released in May 2024. Submit your most pressing RTO questions through the registration form and come ready to engage in conversation with your peers.

Join NACSA for our July Third Thursdays session to get in the know about the opportunities and challenges of Montessori charters as they strive to deliver on their core mission and vision.

Featuring Seth Webb, Director of School Services at the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, this session will offer practical guidance and highlight key resources for authorizers interested in upholding the principles of Montessori education through intentional authorizing practices. Whether Montessori is in your portfolio or not, elevate your understanding of this ever-growing model through an authorizing lens.

NACSA invites you to our August Third Thursday event, in partnership with the Center for Learner Equity. This session will review their latest brief, “Equity-Minded Charter School Authorizing for Students with Disabilities,” which profiles the actions taken by authorizers to ensure charter schools effectively serve students with disabilities. Join us for an overview of the brief and to hear firsthand from three distinguished authorizers who contributed to this critical work.

Join us to explore innovative approaches to measuring schools’ impact on learners. David Nitkin from Transcend will guide us through reflective exercises and small group discussion on innovative measurement approaches. We will also be joined by Danielle Eisenberg of ETS, who will introduce their new Skills for the Future initiative, a major investment in building new assessment tools. Participants will have the opportunity to preview the new Skills for the Future tools, give feedback to ETS to inform their ongoing development, and express interest in potentially participating in early pilots of the tools.

NACSACon is more than just an authorizing conference—it is a leadership conference.

With a wide variety of high-quality sessions led by a diverse group of experts and numerous networking opportunities, you’ll leave NACSACon 2024 fully equipped with the tools, resources, and connections you need to best serve your students and community.

NACSA’s 2024 Authorizing 101 Workshop is designed for NACSACon attendees looking to gain a high-level understanding of authorizing best practices. Registrants will gain a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of quality authorizing practices through asynchronous learning modules that are assigned as pre-work before the in-person workshop. On-site, learners will engage in scenario-based activities to reinforce their learnings alongside others in the field. 

The in-person workshop will take place before the 2024 NACSACon kickoff, so that learners may maximize their conference experience through the duration of the event. This program offers a unique opportunity for participants to network with NACSA staff and other new and novice authorizers.  

Join our November Third Thursdays session where we will unveil the latest findings from NACSA’s annual State of Authorizing Survey. This year’s survey sample includes responses from 86 authorizers across 30 states and the District of Columbia that oversee nearly two-thirds of the charter schools in the country. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions, share their insights, and provide valuable feedback directly to NACSA. Don’t miss this chance to explore key trends in charter school authorizing and shape the conversation moving forward!

Join NACSA for a unique Third Thursdays session—a collaborative focus group on accountability. This session invites authorizers, school leaders, incubators, and all in the charter space to exchange insights on practices and policies that promote high-performing schools. Unlike past sessions, this interactive format will rely on participants sharing experiences and ideas as we work together to shape impactful accountability practices. Come ready to connect, contribute, and help drive better outcomes for students everywhere.

[75 minutes]

Learn more about the National Alliance’s project to share pandemic-era innovations and strategies to accelerate student learning. This session will provide an overview of the project with a deep dive into how charter authorizers are rethinking performance frameworks and selecting meaningful measures.

With a flurry of commentary and analysis on recent actions by the current administration and the Supreme Court, NACSA wants to help authorizers understand the facts. Hear from NACSA’s President & CEO, M. Karega Rausch, PhD, and Amanda Fenton, NACSA’s Federal Policy Consultant and Partner at Capitol Advocacy Partners, as they provide meaningful context in our current, rapidly-changing environment. Bring your lunch and your questions as we make meaning, while staying focused on what matters most in our work: ensuring students thrive.

Do you tell the schools in your portfolio—and potential applicants for a charter—that you want innovation? If so, how do you actually encourage innovation? How do you walk the talk? Join our February Third Thursday to explore the Colorado Charter School Institute’s new resource, Innovative Schools Guidebook. Learn practical strategies from CSI staff and Prospect Academy, one of their innovative partner schools, to drive innovation in your own work.

Kicking off an exciting two-part Third Thursdays series, this session gives you an exclusive first look at NACSA’s forthcoming New School Application Guidance, which is part of a years-long effort to improve the new school application process so that more students and communities have access to schools that are responsive to their aspirations and needs. In this session, we’ll share the guiding principles that shaped our approach and how they led to a fresh new structure designed to support high-quality authorizing. Reflect on your own application processes and discuss the evolution of authorizing in real time.

The Supreme Court will hear a case on the constitutionality of a religious charter school (St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Gentner Drummond, Attorney General of Oklahoma) on April 30, 2025, with a decision expected this summer. The case has potential far reaching consequences for charter schools and the authorizing sector and may change the very meaning of a “public charter school”. Come learn about the status of the case, the possible outcomes, what NACSA is doing now, and how NACSA and authorizers should prepare for the future.