Dr. Joe Nathan, a pioneer in educational policy, discussed his journey from civil rights activism to founding the first charter school in Minnesota. Influenced by his mother, a Head Start director, and Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son,” Nathan advocated for racially integrated education. He co-authored the 1983 book “Free to Teach,” which proposed public school choice and post-secondary options. Despite initial opposition, Minnesota’s 1991 charter school law passed, allowing schools to operate outside traditional district controls. Nathan emphasized persistence, collaboration, and the importance of giving educators autonomy to create innovative public schools.
Transcript
Action Items
- [ ] Continue to share the history and ideas behind the charter school movement to counter misinformation.
- [ ] Utilize the National Charter Schools Founders Library as a resource for researchers, educators, and students to understand the origins and evolution of charter schools.
Outline
Joe Nathan’s Early Involvement in Education and Civil Rights
- Dr. Darlene Chambers introduces Joe Nathan, the newest inductee to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Hall of Fame.
- Joe Nathan discusses his early involvement in educational policy, influenced by his mother, who was a Head Start director in Kansas.
- Joe Nathan recalls a controversial meeting in Wichita, Kansas, where his mother advocated for a racially integrated Head Start program.
- Joe Nathan reflects on the impact of the Brown vs. Board of Education case in Topeka, Kansas, and his belief in integrating children of different races and income levels.
Joe Nathan’s Civil Rights Activities and College Experience
- Joe Nathan shares his involvement in civil rights activities as a teenager, including marches and other activism.
- He references Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son,” which influenced his belief in perseverance and activism.
- Joe Nathan discusses his college experience in Minnesota, including a semester in Chicago during a time of significant activism.
- He mentions his participation in an institute with Saul Alinsky, which had a lasting impact on his community organizing strategies.
Alternative School Experience and Early Challenges
- Joe Nathan describes his alternative service at an alternative school in Minneapolis for troubled junior high students.
- He shares unconventional methods used at the school, such as taking students on a canoe trip in northern Minnesota.
- Joe Nathan discusses the challenges of working with students with criminal records and the lack of positive role models at the school.
- He recounts his efforts to create a new public school option within the Minneapolis schools, which faced opposition from the district.
Transition to a New Public School and Professional Growth
- Joe Nathan explains his transition to a new K-12 public school in St. Paul, which was created by a group of mothers.
- He highlights the success of the new school, which received an award from the US Department of Education.
- Joe Nathan earned a PhD at the University of Minnesota and became an assistant principal at a traditional school, which he found frustrating.
- He wrote a book, “Free to Teach,” which criticized traditional school districts and advocated for more innovative public schools.
National Governors Association and Public School Choice
- Joe Nathan was invited by Lamar Alexander to coordinate a project for the National Governors Association, which led to the report “Time for Results.”
- The report recommended various educational reforms, including post-secondary options and public school choice.
- Joe Nathan discusses the involvement of governors from both political parties in the report and the recommendations for expanding early childhood education.
- He highlights the importance of giving educators more authority and responsibility for results.
Minnesota’s Educational Reforms and Charter School Legislation
- Joe Nathan explains the passage of the post-secondary options law in Minnesota, which allowed high school students to take college courses.
- He discusses the controversial nature of cross-district public school choice and the eventual passage of open enrollment laws in Minnesota.
- Joe Nathan recounts the efforts to create the first charter school law in Minnesota, which faced significant opposition but eventually passed in 1991.
- He emphasizes the importance of giving educators the opportunity to create new kinds of public schools.
National Impact of Charter School Legislation
- Joe Nathan describes the national impact of the Minnesota charter school law, which received support from Bill Clinton and other national leaders.
- He recounts the efforts to secure federal funding for charter schools and the involvement of key legislators like Dave Durenberger and John Schrader.
- Joe Nathan discusses the early challenges and successes of the first charter schools in Minnesota, including City Academy in St. Paul and a Montessori school in Winona.
- He highlights the importance of collaboration and persistence in advancing educational reforms.
Joe Nathan’s Continued Involvement in Education
- Joe Nathan discusses his continued involvement in education through the Center for School Change, which he founded in 1988.
- He describes various projects and initiatives aimed at improving public education, including increasing family involvement and academic achievement.
- Joe Nathan emphasizes the importance of collaboration with both district and charter schools and working with community groups and journalists.
- He reflects on the lessons learned from his long career in education, including the importance of persistence, hope, collaboration, and humility.
Future of Education and Personal Reflections
- Joe Nathan discusses the future of education, expressing hope for reducing income inequities and improving educational opportunities.
- He reflects on the challenges of continued polarization and the importance of embracing innovative educational reforms.
- Joe Nathan shares personal reflections on his heart attack in 2015 and the importance of living each day with purpose.
- He concludes with a discussion of the National Charter Schools Founders Library and its potential to serve as a resource for researchers and educators.
