National Charter Schools Institute

The National Charter Schools Institute’s mission is to transform public education and power performance, productivity and accountability breakthroughs that help people win for kids. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who are committed to excellence and known for their integrity. We envision a day when all students will have access to a diverse marketplace of exceptional schools where they can learn, grow and prepare for success in college, work and life. The Institute is governed by a nine member board of directors and is led by its President & CEO, James N. Goenner, Ph.D. Jim is highly respected in the education reform community and was inducted into the National Charter Schools Hall of Fame in 2010. Under his leadership, the Institute is focused on winning hearts and minds, influencing policy and practice and delivering great programs, tools and services designed to power breakthrough, rather than incremental improvements. We see the charter schools movement as a way to expand choice and competition and drive the transformation of public education into a more market-based system of schools. We believe this emerging educational marketplace needs transparent and trustworthy academic, fiscal and operational performance measures that parents can use to make informed decisions, and the public can use to ensure accountability. The Institute was founded in 1995 as the Michigan Resource Center for Charter Schools by former Michigan Governor John Engler and Central Michigan University. Its original mission was to support and guide the implementation of Michigan’s newly adopted charter schools law. Based on its impact and the need for its services nationally, the United States Congress provided $1 million in 2001 for the Institute to legally separate from the University and expand its scope of services. The Institute is a Michigan non-profit corporation with federally recognized 501(c)(3) status.