On July 2, 2025, the Charter Founders Library brought history to life. At the National Charter Schools Institute’s reception during NCSC25, guests walked through One Idea. Thousands of Schools. Millions of Dreams.—an immersive timeline exhibit honoring the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the charter school movement. Scroll through the photos below to relive the energy, […]
Authorizers: Proactively Preparing
Dear Authorizers, On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond—a case that challenges how courts have interpreted the constitutional boundaries of public education in recent decades. At the center is St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, approved by the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board. […]
Honoring Governor George Pataki and 25 Years of New York Charter Schools
A Letter from Ember Reichgott Junge | May 2024 Along with former Michigan Governor, John Engler, Institute Board Chair, Jim Barrett, and Don Cooper, it was an honor to represent the National Charter Schools Institute and Founders Library at an event honoring former Governor George Pataki and 25 Years of New York Charter Schools! […]
Significant State Level Success and Lessons from Minnesota’s Gene Piccolo
Written by Joe Nathan | Published by CharterFolk Good day, CharterFolk. Today we are delighted to share a Contributor Column from Joe Nathan, Founder and Co-Director of the Center for School Change. I provide below a picture and a bio for Joe that is customized to the purpose of today’s column. Eugene Piccolo (Center) with former Democratic State […]
Why We Tell Our Founders’ Stories…
Founders Library proud to partner with The 74 This month the National Charter Schools Founders Library is excited to highlight charter school leader/founder stories and share a free online copy of Richard Whitmire’s The Founders: Inside the Revolution to Invent and Reinvent America’s Best Charter Schools. Written more than seven years ago, this book grew from […]
The Founders Library Speaks for Charters
“Charter schools were created to provide public school choice with independence outside the traditional district structure, but were always public schools protected by the U.S. Constitution.”– Ember Reichgott-Junge! @CharterLibraryvia @AP https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-charter-school-skirts-071a6bff9a62a0e3f233cd9bcf29d24f The Founders Library played an impactful role in speaking out for the constitutional rights of charter schools in a Supreme Court ruling June 27th, 2023. The […]
The Founders Library: Capturing Charter School History for Future Generations
Minnesota U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger: Redefining Public Education
A giant chartering pioneer was recently laid to rest. There have been many tributes to 88-year-old U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger (R-Minnesota) that have called out his pragmatism, innovative spirit, commitment to policy over politics, and ability to build relationships across party lines. All of that was essential to his key education legacy: creation of the federal […]
MAY: Celebrating 30 Years of Committed Policymakers
Since its inception, committed policymakers – including Ember Reichgott Junge, the former Minnesota State Senator who authored the first charter school law in Minnesota and the nation 30 years ago – have taken strong actions to help create policy change supportive of the charter movement. In some instances, policymakers were driven to push through change […]
Committed Policymaker: Governor Jared Polis
During New Jersey US Senator Cory Booker’s two terms as mayor, the number of students served by charter schools in Newark tripled, a function of Booker’s willingness to push for the funding, facilities and authorizing decisions that high-quality charter schools needed to thrive and grow. Read more here: More Committed Policymakers: ### Celebrate 30 years […]
