National alliance for public charter schools

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, committed to advancing the charter school movement. It advocates for federal funding through the Charter Schools Program and fights state-level battles to ensure equitable access to high-quality charter school options for families nationwide.

The organization has been making an impact for more than 30 years, with its history beginning in 1991 when Minnesota passed the first charter school law. It currently operates out of an office at 800 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 300 in Washington, D.C., and serves as a voice for charter schools across the country.

The National Alliance works to ensure federal funding for charter schools by advocating for the Charter Schools Program, which is the sole source of federal funding devoted entirely to supporting charter schools. They also fight and win state-level battles on issues like funding equity, support for facilities, and more effective authorizing practices to help open and expand schools.

The organization's mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter school movement. Their vision is that every family can choose a well-funded, high-performing public school that delivers an excellent education for their children.

According to the most recent available data from the 2022-23 school year, charter schools served nearly 3.8 million students across 8,150 schools and campuses, enrolling 7.6% of all public school students in America. The organization highlights that charter schools have been making an impact for more than 30 years and now operate in 46 states and Guam, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

The organization's website, publiccharters.org, is described by multiple reviewers as a wealth of information and a treasure trove that helps parents and educators make informed decisions. Users specifically praise the site for being informative, user-friendly, and providing easy access to data about charter schools.

The organization has a 4 out of 5 Trustburn rating from 12 reviews, with a mix of 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star ratings. The rating split shows a majority of positive feedback, with some users giving 3 stars while still expressing gratitude for the valuable resources provided.

The organization provides resources such as a job board, state charter school resources, and a newsletter for updates. They also offer a sister organization called the Charter School Action Fund, which is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization.

The organization emphasizes that charter schools are free, public schools open to all students, with no cost to attend. They highlight that these schools offer parents the opportunity to pick a school that best fits their child's needs.

The organization mentions that in the 2022-23 school year, 60.5% of charter school students were Black or Brown, and 61.4% received free and reduced-price lunch, compared to district school averages. This data is used to highlight the demographic diversity served by charter schools.

The organization notes that most charter schools, 57%, are freestanding and self-managed, while the remaining 43% contract with external organizations for management-related services. This structure varies considerably across different schools.

The organization's Chief Legal Officer, Eric Paisner, was among the witnesses at a field hearing held by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce in Bethlehem, PA, demonstrating their active role in policy advocacy.

The organization's website states that charter schools have been making an impact for more than 30 years, and they continue to work to ensure these schools remain available and receive equitable funding. They encourage people to take action to support the movement.

The organization provides contact information for data requests and media inquiries, directing users to specific email addresses and phone numbers for different types of communication. They also offer a job board and career opportunities for those interested in joining the team.