Founders Library

Arizona’s Oral History of its Charter School Law

DeAnna RoweLisa Graham KeeganMark FrancisWendy Miller Oral History 2022 AZ

The oral history of Arizona’s charter school law featured key figures in its development, including Mark Francis, DeAnna Rowe, Wendy Miller, and Lisa Graham Keegan. The discussion highlighted the passage of the 1994 charter school legislation, the role of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, and the challenges faced in the early years. Success stories included Arizona School for the Arts and Challenge Charter School, both recognized for excellence. The conversation also addressed the need for regulatory balance, the importance of innovation, and the ongoing challenges of funding and facilities. The panel emphasized the significance of documenting the history to learn and improve charter school policies.

Transcript

Outline

Introduction and Participant Backgrounds

  • Johanna Medina introduces herself as the moderator and thanks the participants for their involvement in the oral history project.
  • Mark Francis introduces himself as the founder and director of Arizona School for the Arts and the current charter school program director for the Arizona Department of Education.
  • DeAnna Rowe introduces herself as the executive director for BASIS Charter Schools and previously the executive director for the State Board for Charter Schools.
  • Wendy Miller introduces herself as the principal and CEO at Challenge Charter School.
  • Lisa Graham Keegan introduces herself as a former State School Superintendent and a key figure in passing Arizona’s charter school legislation in 1994.

Lisa Graham Keegan’s Role in Charter School Legislation

  • Lisa Graham Keegan discusses her involvement in passing the charter school law as the chairman of the Education Committee.
  • She highlights the role of the Arizona business leaders for education and Chicana Corona causa in supporting the legislation.
  • The bill included open enrollment, public charter schools, report cards, and a pilot for 1500 students for a voucher system.
  • The voucher system was objectionable and died by one vote in the Senate, but was later passed in a special session without the voucher pilot.

Establishment and Early Challenges of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools

  • Lisa Graham Keegan explains the establishment of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools in 1995 and the role of Catherine Kilroy as the first executive director.
  • The board faced challenges with applicants having little experience in running charter schools.
  • Efforts were made to explain charter schools to banks and financial institutions to secure funding.
  • The focus was on allowing expert educators to bring their talents to students and ensuring the safety and legality of charter schools.

Mark Francis’s Journey with Arizona School for the Arts

  • Mark Francis discusses his motivation for starting Arizona School for the Arts, driven by dissatisfaction with the education his children were receiving.
  • He highlights the unique nature of Arizona’s charter schools and the support from state legislators and advocates.
  • The school was the first secondary charter school in the nation to be named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
  • Mark Francis turned over the school’s leadership in 2007, and it continues to thrive.

Wendy Miller’s Story with Challenge Charter School

  • Wendy Miller shares her family’s passion for education and the catalyst for starting Challenge Charter School.
  • Her father’s illness and her mother’s involvement in education led to the creation of the school.
  • The school was founded in 1996 and later named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
  • Wendy emphasizes the importance of teacher empowerment and putting students first in the school’s mission.

DeAnna Rowe’s Path to Chartering

  • DeAnna Rowe discusses her transition from teaching to chartering, starting with her own charter school.
  • She became the executive director of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools in 2007.
  • DeAnna highlights the challenges and growth of the charter school movement in Arizona.
  • The board’s focus shifted from authorizing to supporting and overseeing charter schools.

Evolution of Charter School Oversight in Arizona

  • Mark Francis describes the state of chartering when he became executive director in 2007.
  • The board was looking at renewal of charter contracts and the role of the State Board of Education in authorizing.
  • The charter association took on a role in advocacy, academic data review, and charter authorizing.
  • The board developed an academic performance framework to hold schools accountable and improve academic results.

Challenges and Successes in Chartering

  • The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools oversees almost 550 public charter schools.
  • Participants discuss the importance of allowing innovation and the challenges of oversight and regulation.
  • The need for flexibility and the ability to learn from past experiences is emphasized.
  • The success of charter schools in Arizona is attributed to the quality of educators and the support from state legislators.

Advice for Policy Makers and Future of Chartering

  • Participants offer advice for policy makers on chartering policy, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impact of regulations.
  • The need for funding and facilities remains a significant challenge.
  • The success of charter schools in Arizona is highlighted, including the choice provided to families and the academic performance of charter schools.
  • The importance of documenting the history of chartering to learn from past experiences and continue improving the system is discussed.