The ESC of Central Ohio and partner The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation were awarded a $125,000 implementation grant to continue plans to improve the authorizers who monitor charter schools.

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers awarded the ESC this grant following a presentation in October, said Todd Hanes, ESC associate superintendent for client services.

“They were quite pleased with our work,” Hanes said.

With the implementation grant, the ESC and Fordham will continue working toward the goal of creating a single statewide, high-performing charter school authorizer, Hanes said.

To provide uniformity and standards, authorizers will subscribe to NACSA’s Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing.

During that fall presentation, the ESC and Fordham described how to best plan for a successful large-scale authorizer. Authorizers fulfill three functions: deciding who gets to open schools, monitoring performance and offer technical assistance and deciding which schools deserve authorization.

Currently, Ohio has 77 entities approved to authorize charter schools. Despite the large number, two authorizers – Lucas County ESC and the Ohio Council of Community Schools, both based in Toledo – authorize a third of all the state’s charter schools.

Creating a statewide authorizer could lead to improvements in areas such as school fees, human capital and expertise. It will also allow access to national partners and resources and provide an opportunity to learn from others, Hanes said.

“There’s a true value in economy of scale in doing this as an authorizer,” he said. “There’s value in collaborating with others who are doing this work.”

Even with the recent $125,000 award to develop an implementation plan, the project is still in its infancy. Hanes estimated the project is the second of four planned stages.

Hanes is optimistic that this project will help both authorizers and charter schools.

“We’re hopeful about opening new schools, improving current schools and helping authorizers become better,” Hanes said.

“Quality authorizing is key because that is the critical link to school outcomes. That quality can substantially increase the value to and impact upon public education.”