About Us

Who We Are

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. Our goal is to increase the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, particularly in disadvantaged communities that lack access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement.

Speaking Up

The Alliance supports policies promoting charter schools as a high-quality public education option. We focus on key priorities like lifting arbitrary "caps" on charter growth and closing the funding gap between charters and other public schools.  Alliance policy experts work directly with state level charter support organizations to encourage these charter-friendly policies and help state charter associations win changes in law.

Recent State Highlights:

This year comments in favor of public charter schools by President Obama and Secretary Duncan have been quite helpful for charters, but the current economic recession created one of the most challenging state policy environments in years. Within this environment, the primary goal of many state charter advocates has been to defend what they already have, while still trying to make positive changes where possible. Below is a list of legislative wins for charter schools organized by issue type. Download a comprehensive brief detailing the outcomes legislative battles and wrap-ups for each state legislative session here. Visit this comprehensive database sponsored by the Education Commission of the States and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Recent Federal Highlights:

In Washington D.C., Alliance federal policy experts keep Members of Congress informed about the benefits of public charter school to educational reform. They also work to support improvement to the federal Charter Schools Program and legislation such as No Child Left Behind.

• The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes a new $650 million Innovation Fund, the largest discretionary fund ever enacted for a Secretary of Education. The fund is designed to support schools, non-profit organizations in partnership with schools, or LEAs that have made significant progress at closing the achievement gap. More information on how this landmark legislation affects charter schools can be found at the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• Additionally, current annual federal funding totaling $211 million supports three key charter school programs: the Charter Schools Program (CSP), the State Facilities Incentive Grants Program, and the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program.
• As a candidate, President Barack Obama pledged to double the amount of federal funding for public charter schools. The Alliance is working closely with the Obama Administration to make this pledge a reality.

There are currently more than 1.5 million students attending over 4,900 public charters schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia, driving a growing need for support and services for charter schools. Through strategic planning, technical assistance, and best-practice guidance from industry leaders, the Alliance is helping state associations and other charter-support organizations develop skills and services needed to nurture charter school growth and student achievement.

Recent Highlights:

• The Alliance recently released "Charter School Executives: Toward A New Generation of Leadership." This important study examines the needs of the movement and recommends that its diversity be strengthened to reflect the diversity of the movement and further recommends a new kind of leadership development system.
• In every state where charter laws exist, charter support organizations and resource centers are providing critical services to charter schools.

Promoting Quality

The Alliance is committed to the recommendations set forth by the Taskforce on Charter School Quality and Accountability for achieving quality-driven growth. This means building a stronger and more diverse pipeline of school-leadership; spreading a culture of data-driven decision making at all levels of the charter enterprise; and making sure that parents, press and policymakers see chartering as a continuous-improvement model for delivering public education.

Recent Highlights:

• The share of students in charter schools in the nation’s most urban communities continues to grow strongly. Led by New Orleans (55%) and Washington D.C. (31%), charter schools in 12 major communities serve at least 20% of students – double the number of communities with 20% or more in charters just 2 years ago.
• Two recent studies (Boston Foundation Report, RAND Report) provide evidence that public charter school students may outperform those in traditional schools.

To increase understanding about public charter schools, the Alliance provides information about about developments through publications, news updates, special events and the annual National Charter Schools Conference.

Recent Highlights:

• Public charter high schools have been nationally recognized for achievement. While accounting for just 5% of all high schools nationwide, charter high schools make up 18% of the top 100 schools in the nation, according to a survey of 21,000 schools by U.S. News and World Report's magazine released in December 2008.
• A record 3,200 participants gathered in New Orleans in June 2008 for the 8th annual National Charter Schools Conference. More than 100 break-out sessions, 200 exhibitors and speeches from education reformers like Geoffrey Canada and Gov. Bobby Jindal were highlights of  the movement’s most successful conference ever.
• With 35 million viewers tuning in to the final Presidential debate, candidates John McCain and Barack Obama emphatically supported public charter schools, and agreed they are vital to national educational reform efforts.