Charter School Board University [Spiral-bound]

Brian L. Carpenter (Author), Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2009

Charter School Board University is a fast-paced, no-nonsense leadership handbook that is a must read for all charter school board leaders. It provides the necessary insight to live, learn and lead in the complex world of school governance.
-Dr. Ellie Perry, Leadership for Educational Entrepreneurs, Arizona State University

Editorial Reviews

Review

If Charter School Board University follows Brian's characteristic, to-the-point writing style, it will be fun, easy reading. But don't mistake his humor as superficiality. When it comes to charter school board development, he s one of the movement's best. --Greg Richmond, President, National Association of Charter School Authorizers

The National Charter Schools Institute's CEO, Brian Carpenter, has a message for boards which he has been continuously sharing across the country and in his publications: Parental choice will mean nothing to our kids unless the choice is high quality. At the end of the day, the board determines that quality. Serious charter school boards will heed his message. --Howard Fuller, Founder and Chair, Black Alliance for Educational Opportunities

The long term success of the charter schools movement hinges on effective board governance. In this training manual, Brian's wit and wisdom bring the topic to life. If you serve on a charter school board, or work with one, this book is a must read. --James N. Goenner, Executive Director, The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University

About the Author

Brian Carpenter is CEO of the National Charter Schools Institute in Mount Pleasant Michigan where he leads a team of professionals nationally known and recognized for the quality of their work and their familiarity with the distinct issues facing charter schools. As one of those experts, Brian regularly speaks at conferences and provides consultation and training to individual charter schools across the country. In addition to Charter School Board University, he has published numerous commentaries and monographs. Brian's leadership experience spans three decades, having joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1977. Following seven years of active duty, Brian embarked on a career in the education sector that has included varied positions including community college instructor and counselor, Christian school superintendent, educational consultant, and charter school board member. Brian is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Capella University, where he anticipates completing his dissertation by spring of 2007. He is listed in the Heritage Foundation's annual guide to education policy experts and is an adjunct scholar with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a think tank in Midland, Michigan. He is also an advisory board member at the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound
• Publisher: The National Charter Schools Institute; Second edition (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978857313
• ISBN-13: 978-0978857318
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for Board Members, May 6, 2009

By 

Donna D'Amour (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charter School Board University (Spiral-bound)

One of the most difficult things in being a board member is knowing what your role is and know what it isn't. This book will tell you. It will give you a clear description of the parameters of your role and what your goals should be. It will tell you what the school administration's role is and help you avoid the chaos that results when those roles collide.

Even more important, this book will show you how good governance works to provide the best academic performance for your students and the most practical and satisfying experience for you as a board member. It will look at boards that failed and make sure you don't repeat their mistakes.

While Charter School Board University is written specifically on governance of Charter Schools, the lessons are easily transferable to any governing board. How individuals can work together to make group decisions, how to nurture the board's development, and how to run efficient meetings, are part of what you will learn here. It includes exercises to see how your meetings are run now and how to improve them. It will guide you through the finances of governing and give you tools to make sure you ask the right questions to keep your board on an ethical and sound financial track.

This book is a guide for board members, new and seasoned, who seldom receive sufficient training before being handed the responsibility. In the interest of clear disclosure, I must say that I was hired to proofread this book, but that isn't why I am writing the review. I am writing this review because I have served on boards and know how difficult the process can be, no matter how good intentioned the members and administration may be. I believe this book is an excellent training manual for school board members. And despite the considerable research that went into the content, Brian Carpenter's style is informal and a pleasure to read. The format - like a school binder with chapter tabs - makes it easy to search for answers to specific questions. Charter School Board University should be required reading for all board members.

5.0 out of 5 stars 101 for Charter School Boards, September 14, 2009

By 

Sarah A. Bailey "Voracious Reader" (Manistee, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charter School Board University (Spiral-bound)

This would be a great book for any charter school board . . . but even better for beginning charter school boards or new board members.

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource for Charter School Boards!, June 16, 2009

By 

Georgia Charter Schools Association "Kelly Ca... (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charter School Board University (Spiral-bound)

Brian Carpenter's engaging voice throughout this resource manual makes it an easy read. The content is appropriate and informative for charter school board members and provides insightful and critical information in a readable, concise format - perfect for busy professionals. I have been so pleased with the book that I provide a copy to new charter petitioning groups who join my training program. It is really a wonderful resource.

Kelly Cadman
Director, Education and Training
The Georgia Charter Schools Association