Charter schools in rural communities represent a significant portion of the nation’s charter school community - over 1,000 schools and close to 225,000 students. Often overlooked in national discussions, rural charter schools play an important role in rural communities in almost 40 states. Whether as the only public school in a remote community or serving as a public school option in communities short on choice, rural charters play an important role in our public education system. For several years Momentum Strategy & Research and the National Alliance have worked to expand resources, communications, and opportunity for America’s rural charter school community, through research, resource dissemination, and convenings tied to the National Charter Schools Conference. The Rural Charter School Homeroom continues those efforts with a facilitated discussion exploring the unique challenges facing rural charter schools and potential responses. Among other topics, the group will discuss challenges and opportunities for facilities, expanding programming to meet student needs, and more in a homeroom discussion with rural school peers.

Presenters

James Griffin
President
Momentum Strategy & Research

Jim Griffin is with Momentum Strategy & Research, a Colorado organization strengthening the nation’s charter community through collaborative research. Mr. Griffin leads the organization's strategy & policy efforts in areas such as public sector accountability systems, performance measures for atypical students and schools, and charter school facilities. Before Momentum, Mr. Griffin was the founding leader of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. He spent nearly 19 years in that position shaping Colorado’s charter school landscape and playing a key role in launching groundbreaking efforts and organizations, both locally and nationally – from accountability and legal advocacy, to facilities financing and group purchasing.