A-GAME Convening: Supporting Struggling Charter Schools

Building a Stronger Ecosystem Through Asset Mapping and Collaborative Dialogue

A-GAME Virtual Convening Part 1 Recorded: January 2025
Watch this virtual session designed to bring together charter school authorizers, school leaders, and governing board members to engage in a meaningful discussion about how authorizers can best support struggling charter schools. Through expert speakers, participant-led dialogue, and the process of asset mapping, this session will address the tough questions surrounding accountability, support systems, and how to align resources to ensure schools receive the help they need without compromising autonomy. The goal is to create a shared understanding of the needs in the charter ecosystem and explore how asset mapping can be used to strategically match schools with the support they require to improve performance and overcome challenges.

Featuring: Sarah Hackett, Director Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools and Tamara Shear, Chief Program Officer Opportunity 180.

The webinar focused on supporting struggling charter schools through accountability and resource alignment. Lisa Bergman introduced key team members and emphasized the importance of asset mapping to match schools with necessary supports. Sarah Hackett from the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS) discussed their multi-faceted support for both authorizers and charter schools, including governance, leadership, and new school supports. Tamara Shear from Opportunity 180 highlighted their role in catalyzing an ecosystem for high-quality schools, emphasizing relationship managers, transparency, and targeted supports. The session concluded with a call to leverage existing assets and build on strengths to improve school quality.

Transcript

Outline

Introduction and Meeting Goals

• Lisa Bergman introduces the session’s focus on supporting struggling charter schools and tackling questions around accountability, support systems, and resource alignment.
• The goal is to create a shared understanding of the need in the charter ecosystem and explore how asset mapping can be used to strategically match schools with necessary supports.
• Lisa encourages participants to keep their cameras on, especially during breakout sessions, and introduces key team members: Jody Ernst, Vashonta Harris, Dr. Amy Evans, Sarah Hackett, and Tamara Shear.
• Amy Evans and Bob Bellafiore are introduced to lead the discussion on systems of support for schools.

Overview of Support Systems

• Dr. Aimee Evan emphasizes the importance of discussing supports for schools and introduces Sarah Hackett and Tamara Shear to share their experiences.
• Robert Bellafiore asks Sarah and Tamara to describe their organizations and why they exist.
• Sarah Hackett explains the creation of the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS) in 2018, supported by a CSP grant, to support both authorizers and charter schools.
• Sarah details the multi-faceted support provided by WRCCS, including governance, leadership, classroom supports, and new school supports.

Opportunity 180’s Mission and Structure

• Tamara Shear describes Opportunity 180’s founding in 2016 to support charter schools in underserved areas and their strategic framework updated in 2019.
• Opportunity 180 focuses on catalyzing an ecosystem to support great schools and aims to re-envision their organization by 2031 based on the strength of the ecosystem they help create.
• Tamara highlights their work with various stakeholders, including the state, local school districts, and public charter schools, and their reapplication for the CSP grant.
• Both organizations share a common goal of providing high-quality school options for kids to have opportunities and live better lives.

Challenges and Strategies in Supporting Schools

• Robert Bellafiore asks about the role of Opportunity 180 and WRCCS in supporting schools and authorizers.
• Tamara Shear describes Opportunity 180 as a life raft for both schools and authorizers, aiming to bring them back together towards a common goal of high-quality school options.
• Sarah Hackett emphasizes the importance of clear parameters and transparency in their supportive partnerships with authorizers and schools.
• Both organizations discuss the challenges of balancing support with autonomy and the importance of proactive and preventative work.

Engagement and Support Mechanisms

• Robert Bellafiore asks how Opportunity 180 and WRCCS get involved in cases.
• Tamara Shear explains that Opportunity 180 is not a fee-based association and makes investments in schools with philanthropy, acting as a “bat phone” for schools.
• Tamara describes their role in supporting schools, authorizers, and various stakeholders, including local news outlets and government departments.
• Sarah Hackett shares that WRCCS gets calls from schools, authorizers, and parents, and they focus on proactive and preventative work to reduce emergency calls.

Asset Mapping and Support Alignment

• Dr. Aimee Evan introduces the concept of asset mapping, emphasizing the importance of starting with strengths before addressing problems.
• Dr. Aimee explains the different types of assets, including professional learning, network building, advocacy, policy intervention, research, data management, and pooling or outsourcing.
• Examples of asset mapping in action are provided, such as addressing governance challenges through training and task sharing.
• Dr. Aimee highlights the importance of aligning supports to the needs of schools and the availability of resources.

Conclusion and Future Plans

• Dr. Aimee Evan mentions the availability of asset mapping modules and upcoming events to support charter networks.
• Vashaunta Harris announces the launch of the official responsive goals directory and the upcoming virtual convening in March 2025.
• Vashaunta highlights the upcoming in-person event in May 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring student input, workshops, evening events, and an awards gala.
• The session concludes with a thank you to participants and an invitation to join future events and contribute to ongoing conversations.