National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to serving and advancing the charter school industry in the United States. Established in 2005, it is a leading national nonprofit organization committed to fostering the growth of high-quality charter schools across the country[1][3].

Mission and Vision

NAPCS aims to ensure that all children have access to a high-quality public education, regardless of their socio-economic background or geographic location[1]. The organization's vision is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by promoting a strong charter school movement and advocating for equitable funding for these schools[4].

History

The NAPCS was founded with support from prominent foundations such as the Doris & Donald Fisher Fund, Walton Family Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation[1].

Activities and Initiatives

The organization advocates for charter schools that contract with both charter management organizations and education management organizations. It publishes various reports and resources, including an annual guide to state charter school laws titled Measuring Up to the Model: A Ranking of State Charter School Laws[1].

NAPCS has also developed an interactive data dashboard to track and analyze data on charter schools, providing insights into their growth, management, and student demographics across the U.S.[5]. This dashboard serves as a comprehensive tool for understanding the charter school sector and addressing critical questions about its operations.

Advocacy and Policy Efforts

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools plays a crucial role in influencing policy changes that support the charter school movement. They work to advance legislative progress and secure equitable funding for charter schools, ensuring that these institutions remain accessible and high-performing[4].

Financials and Operations

As a 501(c)(3) organization, NAPCS can receive donations from private sources. In 2019, it reported revenue of approximately $16.3 million[1]. The organization's financial efforts are focused on sustaining and expanding the charter school movement through advocacy and support services.

Criticisms

Critics of NAPCS often describe the organization as focusing more on promoting charter schools rather than critically analyzing their academic performance and outcomes[1]. Despite these criticisms, the organization remains a prominent voice in the charter school sector, advocating for educational choices and reforms in public education.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Alliance_for_Public_Charter_Schools [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_schools_in_the_United_States [3] https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/introduction-to-public-policy/national-alliance-for-public-charter-schools [4] https://publiccharters.org [5] https://www.lisc.org/charter-schools/about-schoolbuild/schoolbuild-blog/charterschooldatadashboard/