Since 1994, Michigan's leading charter school authorizers have been coming together to share new ideas and winning practices relative to oversight and accountability. These authorizers have also worked collaboratively to advance a policy agenda that favors appropriate levels of growth and accountability for charter schools across the state.
The value and influence of this group has continued to expand over the past dozen years. Now formally incorporated as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation, the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers provides solid programming, advocacy and leadership for its members. In 2006, the Council named its first executive director and established permanent office space in downtown Lansing.
- Mission
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Members of the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers seek to advance public school choice and accountability by supporting high-quality oversight and serving as a unified voice for authorizers across Michigan. The association is governed by an eleven-member board of directors, who collectively operate according
to the following guiding principles:- Choice is a necessary element in today's system of public education.
- Quality must remain the most central focus for authorizers, school operators, and policymakers alike.
- Autonomy and innovation are essential to ensure the promise of Michigan's charter school movement and contribute to the success of K-12 education in general.
- Accountability is crucial. Quantifiable, data-driven results must be achieved and supported at all levels of K-12 public education.
- Charter schools that fail to achieve adequate results pursuant to the terms of their charter contracts should face appropriate consequences, up to and including closure.
- Authorizers have a responsibility to provide input, advocacy and support for public discourse on K-12 education issues.
- Policymakers and authorizers alike must ensure appropriate levels of accountability and oversight for all Michigan schools.
- Members
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Members of The Council consist of eight public universities, one community college and one regional educational service agency. The Council membership roster currently includes:
As the Michigan authorizing community continues to grow, The Council will continue to welcome new members with strategic advice, resources, and information.
Back row: Tim Wood, GVSU; Nick Olshelski, LSSU; Lawrence Wells, FSU (Council Chair); Billie Kops Wmmer, The Council; Bruce Harger, LSSU; Ron Rizzo, FSU; Patrick Shannon, BMCC (Council Treasurer).
Front Row: Pat Victor, BMCC; Mary Kay Shields, CMU (Council Vice Chair); Malverne Winborne, EMU (Council Secretary); Judeen Bartos, OU; Bill Pistulka, NMU.
- Officers and Staff
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The Council board of directors is under the leadership of the following key individuals:
Chair: Dr. Lawrence Wells Ferris State University Vice Chair: Mrs. Mary Kay Shields Central Michigan University Treasurer: Dr. Patrick Shannon Bay Mills Community College Secretary: Dr. Malverne Winborne Eastern Michigan University Executive Director: Ms. Billie Kops Wimmer
- Strategic Plan
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The Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers has adopted a two-year strategic plan to guide its future operational, policy and communications activities. The
plan will allow the Council members to align their efforts to a particular set of outcomes and objectives, while retaining enough flexibility to address changing political and operational realities.During the future fiscal years, the Council will work to advance all of the following primary objectives:
- Provide ongoing direct support, information, tools and resources to Michigan charter school authorizers.
- Suggest and promote effective strategies for ensuring appropriate levels of accountability and a favorable policy environment relative to education generally, and charter public schools in particular.
- Build overall awareness of charter school quality and authorizer oversight practices through targeted, effective outreach efforts.
