This guide was developed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement. Sharon Horn was project director.

An external advisory group provided feedback to refine the study scope, define the selection criteria, and clarify the text. Members included Milo Cutter, Mark Cannon, Tony Gerlicz, Frederick Hess, Margaret Raymond, Mary Street, and Caprice Young.

Staff in the Department of Education who provided input and reviewed drafts include Sandra Cook, Tom Corwin, Kate Devine, Cynthia Dorfman, David Dunn, Lorenzo Esters, Sarah Flowers, Steve Freid, Virginia Gentles, Cathy Grimes-Miller, Margaret Guenther, Dean Kern, Meredith Miller, Tiffany Tabor, and James Woodsome.

James Goenner, Executive Director of the Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University, was kind enough to provide the study team with details about several of the center's policies and practices.

The eight authorizers participating in the development of this guide and the case studies on which it is based were generous with both their time and attention to this project. We would like to thank those who were instrumental in coordinating and participating in the site visits that inform the case studies and this guide:

Jennifer Sneed, Senior Vice President
Charter Schools Institute
State University of New York
41 State Street, Suite 700
Albany, NY 12207
518-433-8277

Ronald Rizzo, Interim Director
Ferris State University
Charter Schools Office
1020 E. Maple Street, Suite 114
Big Rapids, MI 49307-1676
231-591-5802

Marta Reyes, Director
California Department of Education
Charter Schools Division
1430 N Street, Room 5401
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-322-6029

Daniel Roy, Director
Indianapolis Charter Schools
2501 City County Building
200 E. Washington Street
Indianapolis, In 46201
317-327-3618

New York City Office of Charter Schools
52 Chambers Street, Room 405
New York, NY 10007
212-374-5402

Justin Testerman, Director
Volunteers of America of Minnesota
Charter School Sponsorship Program
924 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-310-8949

Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023
781-338-3227

Beatriz Rendon, Executive Director
Office of New Schools
Chicago Public Schools
125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
773-553-1530