View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Don Cooper Director of Civic Initiatives at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Don Cooper is the Director of Civic Initiatives at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. In that capacity he leads the civic and educational programs at the DeVos Learning Center that inspire and shape our […]
Don Cooper
Interview of Jim Goenner, Ph.D.: A Better State (Excerpt)
Interview of Jim Goenner, Ph.D.: Talk to who’s in charge (Excerpt)
Interview of James N. Goenner, Ph.D.: If I would have known (Excerpt)
Interview of Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
Interview of Dick Posthumus
Dick Posthumus, former Michigan Senate Majority Leader, discussed his role in sponsoring the state’s charter schools law. He highlighted the bill’s passage in 1993, which required 20 votes in the Senate, and its subsequent legal challenges, ultimately upheld by the state Supreme Court. Posthumus emphasized the law’s goals: providing choices for low-income students, improving public […]
Interview of John Booy
John Booy, an educator focused on urban education, co-founded Excel Charter Academy, one of Grand Valley State University’s first authorized schools. Initially skeptical about charter schools, Booy saw their potential to empower parents and improve educational choices in under-resourced neighborhoods. Despite initial controversies and union opposition, Excel’s success, with high parent and student satisfaction, demonstrated […]
Interview of Mark Murray
Mark Murray discussed his extensive involvement in Michigan’s charter school system, starting from his role in the Department of Management and Budget. He highlighted the governance complexities, particularly the proposal to give mayors control over education in Detroit, which led to a legislative compromise. Murray emphasized the importance of charter schools in providing educational choices, […]
Interview of GVSU, President Emeritus Don Lubbers
Don Cooper interviewed a former Grand Valley State University (GVSU) president about his role in Michigan’s charter school movement. The president, who joined GVSU in 1969, supported charter schools due to the competitive nature of higher education and the need for reform in K-12 education. He highlighted GVSU’s early involvement, starting with Black River High […]
