Report: AZ ranks 18th in charter-school policies

A new policy analysis of states’ charter-school policies ranked Arizona at 18th.

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers evaluated each state based on policies that ensure the quality and accountability of charter authorizers, which are entities that can authorize and monitor charter schools, such as the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools.

Arizona’s policies have improved since last year, the report showed.

Accountability measures, including a new law enacted this year that requires charter school authorizers to submit annual reports to the Auditor General, earned Arizona some additional points this year, the report said.

“I think that Arizona has shown that they are committed to enacting smart policy,” said John Hedstrom, vice president of policy and advocacy at the association. “They’re committed to producing great results for children by holding authorizers and holding charter schools accountable.”

Overall, Arizona received 18 out of 33 total points in the policy analysis.

Indiana and Nevada, both of which got perfect scores, were tied for first in the rankings.

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Arizona lost points for lacking endorsement of professional standards for authorizers, strong renewal standards for schools and a provision that would close down failing schools.

The report evaluates state policies, not what’s being done in practice, said Eileen Sigmund, president and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association.

“If it were to include the practices of our authorizers, we would certainly be Number 1,” she said.

In practice, the charter board has a strong renewal- and closure-evaluation process, she said. Just last year, more than two dozen charter schools closed.

Many states are doing great things in practice, Hedstrom, of the national association said.

“What we want is those things to be put into law,” he said.