The Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has selected Starlee Coleman to be the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Coleman is currently CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association (TPCSA). She brings more than two decades of experience in state and federal politics, advocacy and communications to her new role.
During six years as leader of one of the country’s largest and most effective state-level charter school advocacy organizations, Coleman has developed TPCSA into a trusted and influential voice in policymaking. Under her leadership, TPCSA worked to pass 10 new laws benefiting Texas charter schools and reform or repeal more than 100 state regulations. During this time, charter school supporters won 80% of the state elections in which they engaged.
“Starlee brings a bold vision and strong strategic leadership to advance our nation’s diverse and growing charter school movement at a critical moment in public education,” National Alliance Board Chair Rick Cruz said. “Her record of success and her dedication to equity and access to excellent public schools for all children will drive the National Alliance’s mission forward and empower and support our allies in states, cities, suburbs and rural communities.”
In 2024, the National Alliance marks 20 years as the voice and hub of the public charter school movement. Nearly four million students attend charter schools today, and 10 million more students are charter school alumni. At the National Alliance, Coleman will advance a strategy that focuses on enabling high-quality growth of the charter sector, securing equitable public funding, guaranteeing access to facilities, and promoting operational freedom and innovation.
“Starlee’s considerable and varied experience, at the state and federal levels, has been ideal preparation for becoming America’s leading charter school advocate,” said Derrell Bradford, a National Alliance board member and president of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now. “Starlee can play all the roles the job requires – champion, campaign manager, spokesperson, myth-buster, fundraiser, fighter for excellence and coalition-builder. We’re extremely excited to have her in the role.”
Coleman succeeds Nina Rees, who stepped down in December after 11 years. The national search that led to Coleman’s appointment screened nearly 200 candidates representing the multi-dimensional diversity of America’s charter school sector.
“I am honored to lead the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and to work alongside our dedicated team and partners to ensure every child has access to an excellent public education,” Coleman said. “I look forward to building on the Alliance’s legacy of advocacy and collaboration, and to elevating the voices of the students, educators and families who choose charter schools.”
Coleman’s advocacy and communications career spans K-12 education, health care and patients’ rights, international trade and manufacturing, and community development, including a prior stint at the National Alliance. Before joining TPCSA, she led a national campaign to give terminally ill patients the right to pursue medical treatments still in clinical trials. Ultimately, “Right to Try” laws passed with bipartisan support in 43 states and at the federal level in just four years.
Coleman will assume her new role in August.
