• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Founders Library

  • Explore
    • Search
    • Timeline
      • National
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
    • Categories
    • Bookshelf

    • EXHIBITS
    • 30th Anniversary of Chartering
    • Peril and Promise
  • Who We Are
    • About the Library
    • Board of Advisors
      • Josephine Baker
      • Chris Barbic
      • Jim Blew
      • Derrell Bradford
      • Don Cooper
      • John Engler
      • Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
      • Howard Fuller, Ph.D.
      • Gary Hart
      • Ember Reichgott Junge
      • Ted Kolderie
      • Alex Medler, Ph.D.
      • William (Bill) F. Owens
      • Eric Premack
      • Nina Rees
      • Ricardo Soto
      • Roblin Webb
    • Meet the Founders
    • Charter History
    • News Blog
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • → Give
    • → Gather
    • → Share
    • Campaigns
    • → Founding Friends
    • → Get Your State on the Map
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
30 YEARS-15

Celebrating 30 Years of
Charter School History

The Big Idea of "Chartering"

Charter public schools began with the purpose of transforming public education by establishing independent schools of choice that would lead to results for kids. Yet before the word “charter” was associated with a particular school model – the term “chartering” – was an invitation of hope for communities, educators and families to reimagine public schools that would give every student the personalized approach to learning they deserve.

Chartering represented then – and now – the possibility that every parent in every community can send their children to the school that's best for them. It promised that every educator inspired to the calling of public service could be empowered to be creative in the classroom and school community. And importantly, chartering was intended to focus decision-making authority and responsibility at the school site level to be accountable and responsive to the community.

Screen Shot 2021-07-27 at 12.33.56 PM
30 year timeline-22

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Charter Public Schools

Thirty years ago, Minnesota passed the first public school choice “chartering” law in 1991, recognizing the potential impact of chartering and effectively created a new type of public school with a contract or “charter” to help strengthen our public education system. This landmark legislation blazed a trail for others states and territories to follow.

Chartering eliminated barriers to quality schools based on zip code, income or ability level. Today there are over 200,000 passionate teachers in classrooms across 7,500 charter schools in 44 states, Washington D.C., and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. These charter schools serve more than 3.3 million students, representing 6 percent of total public school enrollment.

This year, we celebrate 30 years of charter schools transforming public education with a commitment to equity and opening the doors of opportunity for more families. We recognize the original pioneers of the movement, today’s innovative leaders and the students, schools and advocates who are part of our movement.

View Full Charter Timeline
Watch Current Charter Stories
Video
Play Video

Resources to Get Started

Below are resources to support you in celebrating the strength and promise of charter schools.

Community Engagement Toolkit

Consider hosting an event at your school or in the community this year during the 30th Anniversary of charter schools.

Download

Social Media Toolkit

Use social media to spread awareness of the charter school movement and 30th anniversary. Here's your guide!

Download

Media Toolkit

Get tips for garnering proactive media coverage of charter schools to help increase awareness and understanding of our schools among a broad audience.

Download

Elevator Pitch

An “elevator pitch” is a concise way to introduce yourself or idea in the time it takes to ride an elevator. Here's your guide to creating one!

Download

Tell Your Public Charter School Story

This guide includes the Top 4 Actions You Can Take Now to Help Tell the Charter School Story.

Download

Messaging Guide

This guide is a resource of the most effective messaging you can incorporate in your communications for the 30th anniversary – whether pitching a media release, speaking at a community event, or meeting with legislators.

Download

National Chartering Timeline

See when each state adopted the charter law!

Visit

Celebrating All Year!

JULY '21

Inspired

Starting the year off right with these founders' interviews:

  • Watch the Interview of Gov. Jeb Bush
  • Watch the Interview of Josephine Baker and Tom Nida
  • View Josephine Baker's historical documents
  • Watch the Interview of Nelson Smith
Read Blog Post
AUGUST '21

Back to School

Learn about these innovative charter schools!

  • Charlton Heston Academy – #schoolbrag
  • Renaissance Public School Academy – #schoolbrag
  • Light of the World Academy – #schoolbrag
SEPTEMBER '21

Chartering

Highlights this month!

  • Watch the Interview of Harold J. Brubaker
  • Watch the Interview of Richard McLellan - Releasing this Month
  • Watch Excerpt from Richard McLellan Interview: The Idea of a Charter School
  • Watch Excerpt from Richard McLellan Interview: Authorizers
  • William (Bill) Owens' Historical Documents
Read Blog Post
OCTOBER '21

Authorizing

Highlights this month!

  • New Resource: Elevator Pitch (for the idea of chartering)
  • New Resource: Telling Your Public Charter School Story
Read Blog Post
NOVEMBER '21

Educators

Highlights this month!

  • Interview of Norman Atkins and Gloria Bonilla-Santiago
  • Interview of Richard McLellan
Read Blog Post
JANUARY '22

Teachers

Spotlighting Amazing Teachers:

  • Dacia Toll and Doug McCurry
  • Dominique Foster and Jada Chase
  • LaShae Bourgeois and Shane Wood
  • Abigail Grimaldi and Meredith Galloway
Read Blog Post
FEBRUARY '22

Parents

Spotlighting Parents Who Make the Difference:

  • Parent Angel Cortez
  • Parents Samantha Alloggio and Heather Rivera
  • Parents Kiana Davis, Regina Armstrong, and Claudia Inglesia
Read Blog Post
MARCH '22

Board Members

Spotlighting Exceptional Board Members:

  • David Weinberg's Story
  • Cardell Orrin's Story
  • Moctezuma Esparza's Story
Read Blog Post
APRIL '22

Bipartisan Support

Bipartisan Support for Charter Schools:

  • Interview with Democrats for Education Reform
    • Joe Williams
    • Shavar Jeffries
    • Caprice Young
Read Blog Post
MAY '22

Policymakers

Spotlighting Committed Policymakers:

  • Governor Jared Polis
  • Senator Booker
  • Kentucky Speaker David Osborne
  • US Congressman Jerry Lewis
Read Blog Post

Questions?

Feel free to fill out this form with any questions or you can email us at Contact@CharterLibrary.org

 

Contact us

Footer

711 West Pickard Street, Suite M
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

(989) 317-3510
contact@charterlibrary.org

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram

Explore

  • Search
  • Timeline
  • Categories
  • Bookshelf

Who We Are

  • About the Library
  • Board of Advisors
  • Meet the Founders
  • Charter History
  • News Blog

Get Involved

  • Ways to Get Involved
  • Give
  • Gather
  • Share
  • All Campaigns
  • Founding Friends
  • Get Your State on the Map

Cart

Copyright © 2023 Charter Library · Site by LimeCuda · Sitemap