Charter Schools

JOE NATHAN is director of the Center for School Change at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, and writes a weekly education column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. His guest columns have appeared in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the Atlanta Constitution. A leading authority in the field of charter schools, he has also been a guest on The Today Show and CBS Morning News.

• Introduction: A New Choice. INTRODUCING CHARTER SCHOOLS. A Tour of Charter Schools. The Birth of a Movement. HOW CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CHANGING THE SYSTEM. Breaking the District Monopoly. A New Role for Unions. CREATING CHARTER SCHOOLS. Getting Started. Building Support. Staying in Business. WHERE TO, WHAT NEXT. Key Early Lessons. Charting the Future.

"A useful and persuasive description of the 'state of the art' ofcharter school foundations by one of the movement's earliest, mostarticulate, and best-informed advocates." --Theodore R. Sizer,chairman, Coalition of Essential Schools "A convincing case that this is one big experiment among many thatis deservedly taking root." --Business Week "From ideology and accountability to politics and implementation,Charter Schools provides a comprehensive overview....It is apowerful resource for anyone interested in learning more about whatcharter schools are, how to start one, and what the future has instore for them." --Harvard Educational Review "This book, which includes advice to charter school organizers aswell as profiles of successful charter schools, is a good place tolearn some of the basics. . . . a useful primer." --The AmericanSchool Board Journal "If you already know a fair amount about charter schools, JoeNathan's [book] will give you the sensation of reading a travelguide about your hometown.... If, on the other hand, you arewondering what all the fuss is about, you need to read this book.It provides a clear and simple overview of an increasinglypopulated landscape." --Teachers College Record "A comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of an increasinglydiscussed solution to school problems." --Forecast