Sponsored by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute (CSC), with support from the U.S. Department of Education.

In September 2007, the NGA Center and CSC hosted the State Leadership for High-Quality Charter Schools Cross-State Policy Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Institute brought together state policymakers from the six project states to spark cross-state information exchange about the challenges of implementing charter schools and proposed policy solutions. Teams from each state (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico, and New York) included key stakeholders such as the governor’s education policy advisor, legislators, education department staff, charter authorizers, charter program administrators, charter association heads, and charter school leaders. At the Institute, charter school experts outlined recommended research-based state policy practices to increase the availability of high-quality charter schools. Sessions addressed topics such as financing and facilities for charter schools, charter school authorizing, and communicating options to parents. At the dinner session, leaders of two New Mexico charter schools, Amy Biehl Charter High School and South Valley Academy, shared their experiences establishing and running high-performing schools that serve students, families and communities effectively.

AGENDA

PRESENTATIONS:

  • State Team Presentations: Challenges, Successes, Goals and Plans

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: