What exactly is a charter school and how do they help factor into the public education landscape? Karega Rausch, President and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers helps us continue to learn about helping our kids reach their full potential.
Karega Rausch, President & CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), discusses the importance of education and the need to amplify the brilliance of young people. He shares his personal mission to create systems that can identify and bring out the brilliance in students. Rausch emphasizes the importance of innovative and engaging education while maintaining high expectations for student outcomes. He also highlights the role of relationships between adults and students in creating successful schools.
The conversation explores the role of systems thinking in education and the unique contributions of different systems, such as schools, families, and communities. We learn how charter schools are adding value to the public education landscape by demonstrating stronger student outcomes and offering innovative educational models. The conversation touches on diverse options, from classical schools to STEM schools, that cater to the specific needs of communities. Charter schools are free, public, and open to all students, and they are often started by educators and community members who want to create a different vision for education. The role of charter school authorizers is crucial in reviewing applications, setting expectations, and ensuring accountability for student outcomes. Authorizers have the power to say yes to innovative ideas and plans that can benefit students and families, and they also have the responsibility to say no when a plan is not ready or does not meet the necessary criteria.