Minnesota’s 1991 charter schools law set a precedent for how schools should be organized and operated. It envisioned teachers, principals, and community leaders coming together to apply for a charter to open one school at a time, with each charter governed by an individual board of directors. Though straightforward, this model provided limited opportunities to […]
CA
SB 1448: How California Launched Charter School Reform
Summary of the 1992 SB 1448 Third Reading Analysis Senate Bill 1448, authored by Senator Gary K. Hart and supported by education reform advocates, proposed the establishment of charter schools in California. The bill introduced a legal framework allowing teachers and others to petition for the creation of charter schools—public institutions operating independently from many […]
Interview of Ted Lempert
Ted Lempert, former California assembly member and current CEO of Children Now, discussed his role in sponsoring AB 544, a pivotal charter school legislation in California. AB 544 lifted the cap on charter schools, shifted the burden of proof to school districts, and allowed charters to operate as nonprofits. Lempert emphasized the bipartisan support and […]
2014 Charter School Hall of Fame: Doris & Donald Fisher Fund
Courtesy of: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools The Fisher family, through their philanthropic efforts, have significantly contributed to the growth and success of high-quality public charter schools, particularly the KIPP network. Their investments have inspired more entrepreneurs to enter the charter school space and have led to substantial innovations in education. The Fishers, led […]
2019 Charter School Hall of Fame: Dr. Margaret Fortune
Courtesy of: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Dr. Margaret Fortune passionately advocates for charter schools, emphasizing their effectiveness in educating black students. She recounts her family’s history in education and activism, highlighting her parents’ roles in the civil rights movement. Fortune shares her personal commitment to improving education for black children, noting the challenges […]
A School Founder’s History: Don Shalvey, Aspire Public Schools
Courtesy of The 74 Millionhttps://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 […]
A School Founder’s History: Emilio Pack, STEM Preparatory Schools
Courtesy of The 74 Millionhttps://www.the74million.org/ Transcript Emilio Pack discussed the origins of STEM Preparatory Schools, inspired by his own experiences as a child of a single Cuban mother in the U.S. He emphasized the need to bring high-quality public education to underserved communities without forcing students to leave their roots. Pack highlighted his transition from […]
A School Founder’s History: Malka Borrego, Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Courtesy of The 74 Millionhttps://www.the74million.org/ Transcript Malka Borrego, a third-generation Pico Union resident, experienced a high-quality education through a parochial school but recognized the lack of such opportunities for many in her community. After teaching in the public school system and working in nonprofits, she founded Equitas Academy Charter Schools to provide excellent education to […]
A School Founder’s History: Steve Barr, Green Dot Public Schools
Courtesy of The 74 Millionhttps://www.the74million.org/ Transcript Steve Barr, founder of Green Dot Public Schools, detailed his journey from politics to education reform. He discussed his early political involvement, including working for various Democratic candidates and campaigns. Barr highlighted his transition to education, inspired by the need for better public schools. He recounted the establishment of […]
Ricardo Soto – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Ricardo Soto Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association (CCSA or Association) Ricardo Soto serves as the Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association (CCSA or Association). In his role, Ricardo leads and supports the Government Affairs, Local […]
