Minnesota was honored for adopting the nation's first charter school law, making it possible to have a broad range of alternatives for starting and operating a public school. The founders of our nation were people of vision and innovation, and their legacy has been a dynamic, smart and responsive government that is the envy of the world. The Innovations In American Government Awards program brings public attention to the quality and responsiveness of American government at all levels and helps foster the replication of programs that work. More than 85 percent of the programs receiving Innovations award over the past 14 years have been replicated. The program is funded by the Ford Foundation and administered by the John F. Kennedy School Government at Harvard University in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.
Public education is the real winner.
Representatives of the 25 finalist programs came to Washington earlier this week to vie for the Innovations award. Our winners this year suggest that the wave of innovation in government is gaining strong momentum, a promising sign for the future. Minnesota Charter School Law Background Nine years ago, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to enact legislation allowing the creation of charter schools, which have prompted innovation and new choices in public education. Under the law, the role of local school boards was transformed from just delivering public education services to purchasing services, setting goals, measuring performance and enforcing accountability. Now, parents and teachers granted a charter can have total autonomy when it comes to budget, staffing, curriculum and teaching methods.