#United States #New York #charter school #Carol Burris #NCCSA

New Report Calls for Charter School Reform

A recently released report by the National Center for Charter School Accountability (NCCSA) highlights alarming issues related to charter school regulations across the United States. Titled Charter School Reckoning Disillusionment, this report marks the second part of a vital three-part analysis aimed at addressing rampant problems within charter school laws.

The report indicates that state laws designed to promote charter school growth have severely weakened the quality and accountability of these educational institutions. As a result, many schools are facing dire financial situations and operational failures. The report, which spans 35 pages, discusses the correlation between relaxed legislation and various negative outcomes including fraud, mismanagement, and crippling taxpayer losses.

One of the most shocking revelations from the NCCSA analysis is the staggering figure of $858 million in taxpayer losses, attributed to fraud, theft, profiteering, and institutional incompetence. It draws upon data collected between September 2023 and September 2025 to document these financial discrepancies, supported by various news articles and state audits.

Moreover, the report exposes troubling patterns of financial practices, such as complex networks of related corporations designed to obscure fiscal accountability and evade scrutiny from regulators. The for-profit operators often exploit existing laws to engage in questionable activities like insider leasing, self-dealing contracts, and creating opaque financial reports, further compromising the integrity of charter schools.

According to Carol Burris, the report's author, charter school authorizers, intended to serve as overseers of finances and student performance, are failing their responsibilities in many states. The current landscape reveals a patchwork of authorizing bodies, including universities, nonprofits, and struggling colleges, which often charge significant fees without providing adequate oversight.

Additionally, many charter boards operate as self-perpetuating entities, leading to an escalation of conflicts of interest, with only a handful of states implementing rules that prevent board members from engaging in related-party transactions.

To combat these issues, the NCCSA has laid out ten legislative recommendations. These include the prohibition of for-profit operations, banning related-party transactions, implementing caps on renewal terms, mandating elected board members, and closing loopholes that permit shifting authorizers, thereby allowing failing schools to avoid closure. The organization advocates for innovation within the public school system, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community involvement concerning public funding.

In the report’s conclusion, Burris emphasizes the importance of incubating new educational ideas within the public framework rather than allowing for-profit charter schools to dominate. “We need to hear the community’s voice, uphold the stewardship required by public funding, and ensure that our educational systems are held accountable,” she asserts.

The full report is accessible online, providing a comprehensive look at the issues plaguing charter schools and the necessary steps towards creating a more stable and accountable educational landscape.