The following list provides a sample of organizations, Web sites, essays, and research studies that address elements of successful authorizing and Oversight of charter schools.

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) offers newsletters, reports, and policy briefs on a wide range of issues related to charter authorizing. NACSA also maintains an online library of resources that includes policies, protocols, and tools created and used by authorizers across the country in all areas and phases of chartering practice.

http://www.qualitycharters.org

The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University (CMU) Web site offers several materials related to oversight and accountability, including information about the Authorizer Oversight Information System (AOIS), a charter school board orientation guidebook, charter reauthorization procedures, site and facilities reviews, and individualized performance reviews.

http://cmucso.org

The National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) at the Center on Reinventing Public Education aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. The NCSRP Web site offers research and information aimed at improving the charter school and broader education communities.

http://www.ncsrp.org

The NCSRP produced a 2006 report entitled Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2006. This second annual review of the national charter school movement explores current and controversial issues facing the movement, including a chapter on charter authorizing and how it might be improved.

http://www.ncsrp.org/cs/csr/print/csr_docs/pubs/hopes06.htm

The NCSRP also published a white paper in 2006 entitled, Holding Authorizers Accountable: Why It Is Important and How It Might Be Done. The paper presents arguments for scrutiny and accountability for chartering agencies and offers ideas for how accountability could be improved through private and government initiatives.

http://www.ncsrp.org/cs/csr/view/csr_pubs/4

The US Charter Schools Web site provides a wide range of information and links to resources for both charter schools and their authorizers.

http://www.uscharterschools.org

The Education Commission of the States offers issue and policy briefs about charter authorizing, including a state policymaker's guide to alternative authorizers of charter schools.

http://www.ecs.org

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools provides several online resources designed to address issues affecting charter growth and quality, as well as overviews of federal and state policy initiatives.

http://www.publiccharters.org

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation provides links to major studies and over 50 other Web sites that address charter schools and choice.

http://www.edexcellence.net