US Charter Schools Web Dialogue

Wednesday, June 9

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Topic Brief Panelists Focus Point Discussions Related Discussions Recommended Library Items Summary

Topic Brief
Today we hope to examine how to best use our resources and relationships to adequately finance charter schools, to create excellent governing and leadership structures, and to build and sustain effective relationships with the many diverse stakeholders that create the foundation of the charter school movement — students, parents, faculty, boards, communities, business partners, districts, foundations, authorizers, and policymakers. We'll discuss how to expand our reach and share our successful charter school practices so that the whole public education system benefits.

Panelists
• Mark Cannon, Executive Director, NACSA
• Jim Griffin, Executive Director, Colorado League of Charter Schools
• Deborah McGriff, Chief Communication Officer, Edison Schools
• Richard Moreno, Chief Financial Officer, Charter Schools USA
• Doug Thomas, Director, Gates-EdVisions Project, EdVisions
• Otho Tucker, Senior Vice President, Mosaica Education, Inc.

Focus Point Discussions
Influencing Traditional Public Schools - Working With Districts Charter schools have been able to use their flexibility to implement innovative classroom and organizational practices that traditional public schools have been unable or unwilling to do: longer school days or academic years, urban boarding schools, experiential education programs, etc. Some of these innovations are paying off through gains in academic growth and parent satisfaction. Nevertheless, many traditional schools and districts have not yet embraced the opportunity to learn from charter school successes. What examples can we cite of charters seeding positive change in traditional public schools? How can districts and charter schools come to view each other as partners, striving for the same, shared goal of increased academic achievement for all students? What obstacles must be overcome? How is innovation best communicated between schools and from schools to districts? View Summary		Go to this Discussion

Facilities Issues Research has now shown what nearly all charter school founders have discovered - facilities is a charter school's number one start-up problem. What are some creative solutions to today's facilities challenges? View Summary		Go to this Discussion

Accountability Roles & Processes (Authorizers & Other Stakeholders) To whom is a charter school accountable? Who are its most important stakeholders? What should be sought after in a charter school's relationship to its authorizer? Board members? Parents? Students? Local School districts? Business members? Community service providers? Education Management Organizations? Others? View Summary		Go to this Discussion

The Role of Universities, State Departments, Charter Associations & Resource Centers How can universities and state departments of education maximize their positive impact on the charter movement? How can state charter associations and resource centers do the same? What are the unique advantages and constraints of each entity? View Summary		Go to this Discussion