The Work of Charter School Authorizing: Do Size and Type of Authorizer Matter?

• In Event: Organizing Charter Schools for Success: The Role of Authorizers, Leaders, and Teachers

Abstract

Charter school authorizers decide which new school proposals to approve, monitor charter school operations, and hold schools accountable by closing those schools that do not fulfill the terms of their charter contracts. This paper examines the relationship between school portfolio size, authorizer type, and the implementation of consensus authorizing practices. Using self-reported survey data collected from charter school authorizers, we demonstrate that authorizer portfolio size is more important than type of authorizer in influencing the extent to which authorizers implement basic practices. We provide evidence that suggests that many school districts across the country do not behave differently from other authorizers in their willingness to implement recommended basic practices in charter school authorizing.

Authors

• Sean Conlan, National Association of Charter School Authorizers

• Alex L. Medler, National Association of Charter School Authorizers