The National Network for District Authorizing (NN4DA) is hosting a webinar to discuss proposed changes to the federal Charter School Program (CSP), Thursday, April 14, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern. This webinar had originally been scheduled to discuss oversight of virtual charter schools, but the proposed CSP changes could have tremendous impact on charter schools and districts, making this an urgent topic for the field to consider. The webinar on virtual schools will be rescheduled at a later date.

Register here for the webinar.

The potential changes affect priorities that would be applied in the CSP grant programs that provide funding for start-up and expansion grants related to new charter schools, including funding State Entities (SE), Charter Management Organizations (CMOs), and new Developer grants.

Public comments on the proposed changes are due on April 13. Several of the proposed changes would alter the relationships between charter schools and school districts, including by setting priorities for partnerships between districts and charter schools and CMOs, as well as mandating an analysis of the impact of a proposed charter school on existing schools and districts through requiring an analysis of the impact of a SE, CMO, or charter school grant. The priorities also affect the role of for-profit charter schools and their relationships with charter governing boards and CMOs that work with for-profit companies.

The NN4DA and its member organizations have not taken positions on the proposed changes, and school districts around the country are likely to take divergent positions on the proposals and their specific elements. Other observers, however, including the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, believe the changes would have a drastic negative impact on the charter sector, potentially making the CSP a vehicle to stop further growth in the sector. For an example of the critics of this proposal, see the Progressive Policy Institute report.

On this webinar intended for district leaders, the proposed changes and their implications will be discussed. Leaders from CACSA, FACSA, and CCAP will provide an overview of the proposed changes, and participants will discuss the potential implications of the changes for school districts, charter schools, and the communities they serve.