The Don Shalvey Story Chapter 1: Origins & Early Calling South Philadelphia Roots Childhood, family influence, baseball, music, and early values Before there was a charter school in California, before Aspire or Gates or A+, there was a boy named Don Shalvey growing up in South Philadelphia. The year Don turned six, the 1950 Whiz Kids won […]
Oral History: Bill Bonvillian on Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Overview In this oral history interview for the National Charter Schools Founders Library, Bill Bonvillian reflects on his decades-long relationship with Senator Joseph I. “Joe” Lieberman and the Senator’s pivotal role in advancing federal charter school legislation. Bonvillian, who served for more than 15 years as Lieberman’s legislative director and chief counsel, shares personal stories […]
HAAS Journey: Featuring Steve Hirakami
Join us in remembering a great charter founder: “Steve Hirakami: A Founder Giant for Hawai‘i’s Keiki“
Interview of David Harris
David Harris is a lifelong Indianapolis resident, attorney (Northwestern University undergraduate, Indiana University Law School), and one of the most influential figures in the American charter school movement. He entered education reform unexpectedly in 1999 while volunteering on Bart Peterson’s mayoral campaign, where he researched and championed charter schools—quickly becoming a passionate advocate. His work […]
Interview of David Osborne
David Osborne, a key figure in the charter school movement, discussed his influential books on government innovation, including “Reinventing Government” and “Reinventing America’s Schools.” He highlighted his work with Bill Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) in promoting charter schools. Osborne emphasized the importance of charter schools in providing choice, competition, and autonomy in […]
Interview of Bart Peterson
Bart Peterson, the first mayor in the U.S. to authorize charter schools, discussed his journey and impact. He highlighted his early education in Indianapolis, his career path from law to politics, and his role in advocating for charter schools. Peterson chartered 17 schools, with 60% of Indianapolis students now attending autonomous schools. He emphasized the […]
Founders Library promo
Every movement begins with a choice.Thirty years ago, educators, families, and leaders chose to be bold by choice—and the charter school movement was born. From the first charter law in Minnesota to a national ecosystem reshaping public education, this is the story of people who challenged the givens, reimagined what public schools could be, and […]
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E5: Chartering the Frontier
About Season 2 Episode 5: Chartering the Frontier Every region has its trailblazers. In the early 1990s, California and Colorado became unlikely frontiers for the charter school movement. Their laws didn’t pass by chance. They were the product of bold leadership, creative coalition-building, and relentless persistence. California’s story is one of speed, innovation, and unlikely […]
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E4: Charters Go National
About Season 2 Episode 4: Charters Go National Great ideas rarely succeed on vision alone. They need champions. They need strategy. They need leaders willing to ask bold questions and act when the window opens. That’s exactly what happened when the chartering idea began to move from a spark in Minnesota to a national movement. […]
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E3: The First Law
About Season 2 Episode 3: The First Law Behind every bold law is a bolder story. In this episode of Bold by Choice, we step into the moment that changed everything—the birth of the first charter school law. It wasn’t a straight path. It wasn’t inevitable. And it certainly wasn’t easy. But it’s in the […]
