Charter Storm

Waves of Change Sweeping Over Public Education

Mary Searcy Bixby & Dr. Tom R. Davis

Public education in the United States faces an unprecedented crisis. The explosive growth of charter schools over the last two decades has shaken the status quo to its core. At stake are the future of public schools and how they will continue to educate our nation’s youth.

Clashes over money and ideologies have led to a struggle between the public education establishment and those at the forefront of educational reform. The conflict is being waged in the court of public opinion, as well as in courtrooms throughout the country. While the outcome is impossible to predict, both sides are preparing for a fight of David versus Goliath proportions. Collaboration is critical to the success of both.

In Charter Storm, they use their combined knowledge and research of over 120 individual interviews over five years to teach you about—
• essential insights those new to the charter school movement need for their schools to survive and thrive
• how aggressive educational establishment pushback threatens to sweep away the most vulnerable
• key issues authorizers must know to effectively oversee their organizations
• the overwhelming challenges the educational establishment faces today and how it can effectively navigate the changing local and national educational landscape
• why active participation and support of charter school associations are essential to each charter school and the educational reform movement’s long-term success
• what every charter school parent needs to know to create and support an exceptional educational experience for his or her children.

Mary Searcy Bixby, M.Ed, and Tom R. Davis, Ed.D, have spent their entire careers improving public education. Their professional lives have represented parallel trajectories: Mary in charter schools and Tom in traditional public education. Mary is widely recognized at the state, national, and international levels for her cutting-edge and bold educational reform leadership. Tom, with more than forty years of experience as a traditional public school leader, is a sought-after expert and serves as an executive coach to educational leaders. Over the last five years, the authors have researched and interviewed over 120 individuals comprising those at the forefront of charter and traditional public schools. They have also actively participated in the development and expansion of the charter school movement.