June 30: California Education Reformer Caprice Young Will Serve as Chair of the National Alliance For Public Charter Schools

Mashea Ashton, John Lock and Deborah McGriff also elected to Board officer positions

Washington, D.C. –   Veteran education reformer Caprice Young of Los Angeles has been elected as Chair of the board of directors of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Also elected as officers of the board are Mashea Ashton (Vice Chair), John Lock (Treasurer) and Deborah McGriff (Secretary).

“The charter school model – the freedom to be more innovative and at the same time being held accountable for improved student achievement – is making a tremendous difference in the lives of students all across the country,” said Young. “In more and more communities, charters are providing vital educational options within the context of public schooling. Yet we have real challenges, such as caps on growth, equitable funding, and the continuing need to emphasize that expansion and high-quality must go hand-in-hand. I’m looking forward to meeting these challenges head-on and helping to guide the strategic development of the Alliance in the coming year.” 

Young is the President and CEO of KC Distance Learning, a division of California-based education provider Knowledge Universe (KU). She was previously Vice President of Business Development and Alliances at KU and, until last year, President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA).

Under Young’s leadership at CCSA from 2004 to 2008, the number of charters in the state grew by over 300 and student enrollment increased by over 100,000. Young has a B.A. degree from Yale University, a Masters degree from the University of Southern California and a Doctorate of Education degree from UCLA.

Ashton is a Partner with the Newark Charter School Fund, a grant-making organization that supports the quality and sustainability of the city’s charter schools. Prior to this, Ashton was Executive Director for the New York Program and Senior Advisor for Charter School Policy for New Leaders for New Schools.  She is also on the board of the Black Alliance for Educational Options and the William and Mary Alumni Association.  

Lock is Chief Executive Officer of Project Lead The Way, a non-profit that promotes science, technology, math and engineering courses for  middle and high school students. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Charter School Growth Fund. Lock has also served as Executive Director and teacher at a charter high school located in California.

McGriff serves as a Partner with the NewSchools Venture Fund, a national organization that support education entrepreneurs, especially those helping low-income and minority children in urban communities. Prior to this, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Relationship Officer of Edison Schools. As a senior executive with Edison from 1993 to 2008 she served as President of its Teachers College and Executive Vice President of its Charter Schools division.

All will serve a one-year term. The election was held at a meeting of the board of directors during the National Charter Schools Conference in Washington, D.C. June 21-24.       

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The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement.  The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have 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.

063009 Board Elections- Caprice Young Elected Chair.pdf (64.26 KB)