Charter Schools don't network enough

I spent yesterday at the Charter School Finance Seminar in Denver. It was a good group and the sessions were well planned. Because I'm working with some new charter schools, I attended many of the sessions that were attractive to start ups or newer schools.

One of the amazing things is that with about 180 charter schools in Colorado, many of these charter school organizers had not talked to even one existing school to get advice about start up issues. It's especially amazing to me because I attend some of the training programs offered by the Colorado Department of Education Schools of Choice Unit. In almost every training, the CDE staff tells those in the application process to talk with existing schools to flen information. What better way to start a school than to have talked with people who have gone through it.

The reasons for talking to new schools probably seem obvious, but list list a few.

1. The old horse's mouth - I know that many charter starters are optimists. I've seen it. I describe many of the issues that I've seen in various schools, and either get a deer in the headlights look that says that they do not believe me or I get the response, "we'll be different."
2. Templates, templates, templates - why create your own if someone already has one. The amount of time that some people spend creating forms, policies, procedures and other documents is astounding. Every charter school I go to has different forms, but they are almost exactly the same (in content, and sometimes in basic layout) to another school's. Folks, most charters don't consider their forms proprietary, you can just change the name.
3. Enhanced communication for future issues - if you are starting a charter schools, just be aware that every charter school that I'm aware of has had some start up challenges. the ones that have fewest usually are the ones that did their homework the best. They had a list of potential surprises and options.
   

So, please remember that as you start the application process and create your initial budgets, don't reinvent the wheel. Network with other schools. Learn from those who have gone before you. One last piece of advice is to make sure that you find successful schools. Don't just pick the school closest to you.

Good luck, may your school be great and easier to start because you networked with other successful schools.

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