Guardians of Opportunity: Dr. Jim Goenner’s Vision for Charter School Excellence at A-GAME

Jim Goenner, President and CEO of the National Charter Schools Institute, emphasized the importance of charter schools as a choice among choices, highlighting their role in disrupting traditional public education. He stressed the need for authorizers to shift from being seen as regulators to guardians of opportunity and stewards of possibility. Goenner called for a focus on student engagement, parental involvement, and measuring what truly matters in education. He also announced the launch of a new podcast, “Bold by Choice,” to discuss charter school life cycles and governance. The meeting concluded with a call to action for authorizers to lead boldly and innovatively.

Outline

Introduction of Jim Goenner

• Mark Weinberg introduces Jim Goenner, highlighting his achievements and personality.
• Jim Goenner expresses nervousness about speaking in front of such a high-caliber audience.
• Jim emphasizes the importance of making his speech compelling, memorable, and actionable.
• He reiterates the purpose of their gathering: to improve education and serve kids.

Historical Context and Evolution of Charter Schools

• Jim Goenner reflects on the history of charter schools, starting with Ted Coldery’s 1990 article.
• He discusses the shift from a single public education option to a variety of choices.
• Jim highlights the disruptive nature of charter schools and their role as a choice among many options.
• He stresses the importance of maintaining their vision and relevance as authorizers.

Role of Authorizers and Vision for the Future

• Jim Goenner challenges the perception of authorizers as mere regulators.
• He redefines authorizers as guardians of opportunity and stewards of possibility.
• Jim emphasizes the need for authorizers to lead and convince others of their value.
• He discusses the importance of educating lawmakers and the public about the true nature of charter schools.

Challenges and Opportunities in Education

• Jim Goenner talks about the shift from an era of assignment to an era of choice.
• He mentions the potential for personalized education through AI and robots.
• Jim highlights the importance of building relationships and being leaders, not bureaucrats.
• He introduces the theme of a mosaic, representing the collective strength of individual pieces.

Thank You and Acknowledgments

• Jim Goenner thanks various team members, sponsors, and individuals who have contributed to their efforts.
• He mentions the National Parents Union and the importance of including students and parents in the ecosystem.
• Jim discusses the shift from a three-legged stool to a table, emphasizing the inclusion of all stakeholders.
• He highlights the significance of student engagement and the need to measure what truly matters.

The Importance of Student Engagement and Learning

• Jim Goenner discusses the importance of student engagement and the role of authorizers in fostering it.
• He emphasizes the need to make students thirsty for learning and to focus on learning rather than just schools.
• Jim reflects on the challenges of measuring intangible qualities like poise, grace, and confidence.
• He encourages authorizers to think of their teams as broader, including board members, school leaders, and parents.

Parental Involvement and Demographic Challenges

• Jim Goenner discusses the challenges of low birth rates and the need for innovative solutions.
• He emphasizes the importance of small, relational, and personal schools.
• Jim reflects on the need for different approaches to achieve economies of scale in small schools.
• He introduces the concept of a school as a mosaic, encompassing various elements like property, adults, students, and curriculum.

The Role of Authorizers in the Future

• Jim Goenner discusses the need for authorizers to protect core values while stimulating progress.
• He shares an example of a successful autism academy and the potential for innovative solutions.
• Jim emphasizes the importance of creating a circle of safety with schools to foster honest conversations and new ideas.
• He calls for authorizers to be bold by choice and to focus on their purpose rather than technocratic tasks.

Closing Remarks and Future Plans

• Jim Goenner thanks the audience and emphasizes the importance of their role in shaping the future of education.
• He introduces the concept of the “bold by choice” podcast, focusing on charter schools and governance.
• Jim encourages authorizers to be proactive and influential in their communities.
• He concludes with a call to action, emphasizing the importance of their work in creating great schools and opportunities for all students.