NACSA IN SAVANNAH

By Dr. David B. Ross

The National Association for Charter School Authorizes (NACSA) held its seventh annual conference in Savannah, Georgia October 22 and 23, 2007. This conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, was named “Cultivating the Charter Garden” based on the analogy that charter schools are creating the landscape of quality performing schools. Greg Richmond and NACSA used the following terminologies for authorizers to help their charter school(s) become successful:

a.     Planning – define the vision

b.     Preparing – identify conditions and environmental needs

c.     Planting – rigorous selection process

d.     Feeding – awareness of their needs

e.     Pruning – need to make adjustments

f.      Weeding – preparation for low performing schools

This conference was a tremendous success. The entire format gave the attendees many opportunities to learn how to network and “cultivate” their charter school(s). Over the span of two days, participants heard from many perspectives about the following themes of 52 break-out sessions:

a.     Authorizer Capacity and Infrastructure

b.     Charter School Applications and Development

c.     Performance Contracting, Oversight and Ongoing Evaluation

d.     Charter Renewals and Revocations

e.     Law and Policy

f.      Research and Special Topics

Other activities that were given at the conference consisted of keynote speakers and conference exhibitors. The keynote speakers, Steve Barr, Founder and CEO of Green Dot Public Schools, and James Forman, Jr., Co-founder and Board Chair of See Forever Foundation & Maya Angelou Public Charter School, gave stellar performances on their involvement in the charter school system. Of the many exhibitors, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) had the opportunity to sell our new program. NSU’s Fischler School of Education & Human Services has developed the first online education doctorate minor in Charter School Education Leadership. The new minor will meet the needs of leaders and corporations who are pursuing an emerging alternative to traditional public education. This program enables charter school educators and stakeholders to meet their educational goals in a distance learning format at an interactive leadership institute.

The next NACSA Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana October 27-28, 2008. The new theme is “Ladies and Gentlemen – Restart Your Engines.” This theme is to give participants new tools and resources and advice and insights to network with colleagues throughout the country.