Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers

The Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers (FACSA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, established in 2003. It is dedicated to promoting high-quality charter school authorizing practices across Florida. FACSA serves a membership consisting primarily of professionals involved in the charter school authorizing process within various school districts.

Mission and Vision

FACSA's mission is to support, facilitate, and strengthen quality charter school authorizing throughout the state. The organization envisions a landscape where every family has access to high-quality educational options.

Role and Activities

FACSA plays a crucial role in the development and support of charter schools in Florida. The organization assists its members—comprising 64 active professional authorizers from 26 counties—in adopting best practices that align with Florida's educational statutes and local governance principles. Key activities include:

• Collaborative Meetings: FACSA conducts regular meetings for members to discuss current charter school issues, share best practices, and engage in continuing education.

• Development of Standards and Tools: The organization has been instrumental in creating best practices for authorizing, including principles and standards for quality authorizing, as well as model documents crucial for charter school operations, such as:

  • Charter school authorizer contracts
  • Charter school applications and review templates
  • Procedures for contract renewals and school openings
  • Closure checklists

• Support for Special Education: FACSA is actively working to enhance access and outcomes for students with disabilities in charter schools. This includes the development of professional development materials aimed at improving collaboration between authorizers and charter schools.

Impact

As of recent data, Florida has 658 charter schools serving approximately 313,500 students, which constitutes about 11% of all public school students in the state. Additionally, charter school authorizers are responsible for the oversight of charter schools, including application approvals, performance monitoring, and compliance evaluations.

Financial Information

FACSA operates as a registered nonprofit with the Employer Identification Number (EIN) 13-4360548. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of approximately $121,000 and expenses of around $112,000, highlighting its commitment to effective financial management and sustainability in supporting charter school authorizing efforts in Florida.