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Albert Shanker: National Press Club Speech 1988

June 11, 2025

In his 1988 speech to the National Press Club, Albert Shanker, President of the American Federation of Teachers, addressed the shortcomings and challenges in American public education and proposed a bold, second-wave reform agenda. Reflecting on the initial wave of education reforms following A Nation at Risk, Shanker praised improvements such as higher standards and […]

1991: America’s First Charter Schools Law

June 11, 2025

The Minnesota Foundation’s fourteenth annual Itasca Seminar brought together tinkers, doers, and policymakers to explore how to improve public education. Among this October 1988 event’s national speakers were Al Shanker and New York’s Sy Fliegel, the architect of East Harlem’s choice-based innovations. More local attendees included the Citizens League’s Ted Kolderie and the vice chair […]

The Charter Story from Ember Reichgott Junge

April 24, 2025

Ember Reichgott Junge, former Minnesota State Senator and author of the first charter school law, recounted the origins and evolution of charter schools. The first charter school, City Academy, opened in 1992, serving students who had dropped out. Today, charter schools are in 44 states, including Guam and Alberta, Canada, with over 7,000 schools serving […]

2008 Charter School Hall of Fame: Ember Reichgott Junge

June 30, 2024

Courtesy of: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Ember Reichgott Junge recounts her pivotal role in the establishment of charter schools in Minnesota, inspired by a speech from Al Shanker at an education reform conference. Despite initial opposition from teachers’ unions and Democrats, she persisted in advocating for charter schools, which offer autonomy and independence. […]

Eugene Piccolo – Bio

March 26, 2024

View Charter Founders Eugene Piccolo In Memoriam  |  1953-2024 Minnesota Educator & Advocate | Minnesota Association of Charter Schools A champion for children and the chartering idea, Eugene Piccolo served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools from 2005 until his retirement in 2023. He is known for his turnaround of […]

Interview of Dr. Charvez Russell – Friendship Academy of the Arts

May 16, 2023

Interview of Dr. Nell Collier – Friendship Academy of the Arts

May 15, 2023

Friendship Academy of the Arts – Oral History

May 15, 2023

Interview of Dr. Charvez Russell, Friendship Academy of the Arts – Excerpt: What’s the future for Friendship Academy?

April 14, 2023

Interview of Dr. Charvez Russell, Friendship Academy of the Arts – Excerpt: “Charter school exist because of their mission”… “Friendship Academy’s mission”

April 14, 2023

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