Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from its President and CEO, Peter Groff, on the states selected for funding by the U.S. Department of Education in the second round of the Race to the Top competition:

RTTT Round Two Press Release.pdf (358.18 KB)

Seven of 49 Innovation Grantees Support Existing and New Public Charter Schools

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from president and CEO, Peter Groff. This statement is in response to the U.S. Department of Education announcement of 49 Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant award recipients:

InnovationGrants_August52010.pdf (316.21 KB)

White House message renews commitment to education reform under Race to the Top

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from president and CEO, Peter Groff. This statement is in response to President Obama’s remarks to the National Urban League’s 100th Anniversary Convention:

Alliance Response to POTUS Remarks at NUL Convention_July 2010.pdf (220.7 KB)

Based on Annual Ranking of the Country’s 10 Strongest State Charter School Laws

Washington, D.C. -  The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from president and CEO, Peter Groff. This statement is in response to the announcement of 19 finalists in the second round of competition for Race to the Top funding under the U.S. Department of Education.

Alliance Response to POTUS Remarks at NUL Convention_July 2010.pdf (322.52 KB)

Mashea Ashton, CEO, Newark Charter School Fund, Elected Chairperson

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 officers for its board of directors. Together these leaders in the charter sector have devoted decades to improving educational outcomes for students.

Alliance_Board Appointment_Final.pdf (354.36 KB)

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from its president and CEO, Peter Groff. This statement is in response to the July 22 vote in the U.S. Senate to proceed with cloture on HR 4899, the war supplemental that included $800 million dollars in education reform funding cuts, including a rescission of $100 million to the Charter Schools Programs:

Fed Aprops Senate Defeat FINAL.pdf (159.07 KB)

Address to National Charter Schools Conference, July 1, 2010

Chicago, Illinois - I'm sorry I couldn't be with you there live today in person, but I'll keep my remarks very brief and open it up to any questions you might have.

First of all, it has been a remarkable year for charter schools. We've seen a number of states remove barriers to innovation. I've visited a number of charter schools in a dozen or more states, been to dozens of charter schools around the country, and I've just been amazed by the quality, the commitment, the difference that charter schools are making in students lives.

NAPCS - Official Transcript Arne Duncan.pdf (255.81 KB)

Address to National Charter Schools Conference, June 30, 2010

Chicago, Illinois – We're all so fortunate to be together and have this incredible mission together of providing more opportunity for more children. You all chose not a life of ease; you chose a life of impact. And 55 years ago, Nelson Mandela could've chosen a life of ease. He was a lawyer and he chose a life of impact, and we are all much better for it. And somewhere in this audience is our Nelson Mandela and I don't know who she or he is yet – nor do you – but the change and the path that we're on is long-term and fundamental.

Official Transcript - Reed Hastings - 07062010.pdf (341.96 KB)

Continuing a Distinguished Career in Public Service, Groff Accepts New Position Before an Audience of More than 4,000; Shares his Vision for Charters

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to announce that effective July 1, Peter C. Groff is the organization’s new president. Groff assumes the position previously held by Nelson Smith, who announced in February his plans to step down from the CEO role. Groff’s announcement was made on the final day of the 10th annual National Charter Schools Conference, which was held in Chicago and attracted more than 4,000 attendees.

FINAL New CEO press release.pdf (264.45 KB)

Address at the 10th Annual National Charter Schools Conference, June 29, 2010

Chicago, Ill - Well, thank you, Nelson, for all your great leadership over the five years.  I'm excited to be here.  I'm a big believer in the work you do.  When I was trying to picture the audience and what it would be like, I decided, well, you're involved in charters.  And I tried to imagine that everybody here, like Don Shalvey – Don is a pioneer of the movement, and now he's a part of the brain trust at our foundation.  So if you['re] like him, I was confident we'd connect through our mutual admiration.

NAPCS - Bill Gates-Transcript _3_.pdf (129.34 KB)

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to Address More than 4,000 Charter School Supporters at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is thrilled to have Bill Gates as the keynote speaker on the opening day of the National Charter Schools Conference. Mr. Gates will speak at 9:35 a.m. in the Arie Crown Theater. This event is open to credentialed media and registered conference attendees only.

FINAL Bill Gates Media Advisory.pdf (269.7 KB)

Keynote Speakers Bill Gates, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to Address More than 4,000 Charter School Supporters

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will host the 10th annual National Charter Schools Conference June 28-July 1 in Chicago.   The theme for this year’s conference is “Innovators in Education: Leading the Race to the Top.”  

FINAL NCSC press release_062010.pdf (95.97 KB)

Charter High Schools Represent Only 5 Percent of All High Schools, but 15 Percent of the Most Rigorous Top Performers

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today congratulates the 15 public charter schools named among the nation’s 100 best high schools, according to Newsweek’s 2010 listing.

Newsweek_Press_Release_June2010 Final.pdf (357.97 KB)

The Most Comprehensive Support of Charter Schools Ever Introduced in Congress; Will Expand High-Performing Charter Schools

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is proud to voice its support for the All Students Achieving through Reform (All-STAR) Act, which was introduced today by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.). This bill is a companion to H.R. 4330, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.).

All STAR senate FINAL_0510.pdf (65.61 KB)

Charter School Funding Gap is Nearly $2.2 Billion Annually; Why are Some Public Schools Shortchanged? Severe Shortages Hurt Students, Schools

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today praised a newly-issued report from Ball State University that shows how public charter schools continue to receive unequal funding from states and districts. “This persistent pattern of unequal funding for public charter schools threatens to impede their continued growth,” commented Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Ball State Report FINAL_0510.pdf (256.54 KB)

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today honors Mayor Francis G. Slay with the Champion for Charters Award for supporting high-quality public charter schools. Mayor Slay will be recognized at a reception marking National Charter Schools Week, May 2-8, in the Capitol Hill Visitors Center, Room 215 in Washington, D.C.

Champions for Charters Slay_FINAL.pdf (68.1 KB)

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools honors U.S. Representative Jared Polis (D.-Colo.) today with the Champion for Charters Award for supporting high-quality public charter schools. Congressman Polis will be recognized at a reception marking National Charter Schools Week, May 2-8, in the Capitol Hill Visitors Center, Room 215 in Washington, D.C.

Champions for Charters Polis 2010_FINAL.pdf (68.59 KB)

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today honors Michigan Senator Wayne Kuipers for supporting high-quality public charter schools.  Sen. Kuipers will be recognized at a reception marking National Charter Schools Week, May 2-8, in the Capitol Hill Visitors Center, Room 215 in Washington, D.C.

Champions for Charters Kuipers 2010_FINAL.pdf (68.32 KB)

Four Leaders to be Honored, and Recent Poll Shows Greater Understanding Leads to Greater Support of Charters

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will kick off National Charter Schools Week on May 2, hosting activities with charter leaders and supporters throughout the nation.  Among the events, the annual Champions for Charters award reception will take place on May 4 in the Capitol Visitors Center, Room 215. 

2010 Champions For Charters_FINAL.pdf (79.75 KB)

Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today honors Governor Bobby Jindal with the Champion for Charters Award for supporting high-quality public charter schools. Jindal will be recognized at a reception on May 4 in Washington, D.C., during National Charter Schools Week May 2 – 8.

Champions for Charters Jindal 2010_FINAL.pdf (67.65 KB)