Courtesy of The 74 Million
https://www.the74million.org/
Transcript
Don Shalvey recounted the formation and growth of Aspire Public Schools, starting with a chance meeting with tech entrepreneur Reed Hastings in 1997. They formed Californians for Public School X, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, to lift the cap on charter schools in California. After gathering 1.1 million signatures, they collaborated with the California Teachers Association to pass AB 544, which allowed a single board to manage multiple charters. This legislation led to the creation of Aspire Public Schools and the expansion of charter management organizations. Shalvey emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and competition in improving public education.
Action Items
- [ ] Reach out to the Carlos Club in San Carlos and get a letter of support to send to Senator Burton.
- [ ] Follow up with the Walton Family Foundation to discuss growing the charter management organization model.
- [ ] Share the business plan and financial model with other charter leaders to help them get started.
Outline
President Clinton’s Visit and Initial Charter Legislation
- Don Shalvey recounts the unexpected visit of President Clinton and the First Lady to San Carlos school district to sign a piece of charter legislation into law.
- The event was attended by only 250 people due to media setups, and it involved a roundtable discussion about charters.
- Don Shalvey describes the thrill of standing on stage as the President and First Lady interacted with the crowd.
- A young man approached Speaker 1 after the event, expressing interest in education and inquiring about the possibility of more than 100 charters in California.
Meeting with Reed Hastings and Forming a Political Campaign
- Don Shalvey met Reed Hastings, a tech entrepreneur, at a lunch arranged by the young man who attended the President’s visit.
- Hastings shared his background, including selling his software company for $2 million and his interest in education.
- They formed a 501(c)(4) non-profit political organization called Californians for Public School X to advocate for expanding charters.
- Speaker 1 proposed taking a leave of absence to work on the political campaign, which was approved by the San Carlos school board.
Signature Gathering and Political Strategy
- By January, they had filed their initiative and were working to collect 1.1 million signatures to qualify for a constitutional change in California.
- They focused on understanding the political scene and building relationships with elected officials, including making appointments with legislators and bringing wine as a gesture.
- They successfully met with John Burton, a legendary legislator, who initially had a negative perception of them but was open to a conversation.
- Don Shalvey recounts their visit to the Carlos Club in San Carlos, where they gathered support from patrons to send a letter to Senator Burton.
Collaboration with Steve Barr and the California Teachers Association
- Steve Barr, a former MTV Rock the Vote organizer, joined their campaign and focused on public school choice in Los Angeles.
- After the initiative passed, they formed a 501(c)(3) organization called Aspire Public Schools.
- They collaborated with the California Teachers Association (CTA) to craft AB 544, a bill that would lift the cap on charters in California.
- CTA agreed to support the bill in exchange for the initiative not being run, and the bill passed with significant support from both houses.
Impact of AB 544 and the Formation of Charter Management Organizations
- Governor Wilson signed AB 544 into law, allowing a single board of directors to manage multiple charter schools.
- This legislation was seen as a significant step in the growth of charter management organizations (CMOs).
- Don Shalvey emphasizes the importance of a single governing board for multiple charters, which improved governance and efficiency.
- The Walton Family Foundation and other organizations supported the growth of CMOs, leading to the expansion of high-quality charter schools.
Networking and Sharing Among Charter Leaders
- Don Shalvey describes a meeting with other charter leaders, including Norman Atkins, Chris Barbic, Mike Feinberg, and Dave Levin, to discuss the potential of CMOs.
- They agreed to share resources and information, emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration.
- This networking led to the development of best practices and the growth of the charter movement.
- Don Shalvey highlights the importance of learning from others and the value of asking questions to improve their work.
Innovation and Collaboration in Public Education
- Don Shalvey shares an example of collaboration with a Catholic school to provide vocational education to students.
- This innovative approach allowed students to access valuable educational opportunities despite budget cuts.
- Don Shalvey discusses the challenges of innovation in traditional public school systems and the potential of charters to drive innovation.
- They emphasize the importance of finding common ground and working together to improve educational outcomes for all students.
Crossover Leaders and Compacts Between Charter and District Schools
- Don Shalvey mentions the emergence of crossover leaders who are open to charter ideas and willing to collaborate with charter organizations.
- Duncan Clues and Spring Branch Independent School District formed a partnership with KIPP and YES Prep to improve educational outcomes for African American males.
- Denver Public Schools allows high-performing charters to take over struggling schools, creating a synergy between charters and district schools.
- Hartford Public Schools requires principals to go through the Achievement First Principal Academy, demonstrating a commitment to proven educational models.
The Role of Competition and Innovation in Charter Schools
- Don Shalvey reflects on the original purpose of providing vigorous competition in the public school arena, as stated in AB 544.
- They acknowledge that competition has driven innovation and improvement in charter schools.
- However, they also emphasize the importance of other purposes, such as giving teachers and community members the opportunity to innovate.
- Don Shalvey shares personal experiences from their time as a middle school principal, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for innovation in public education.
