Preparing for Growth: Human Capital Innovations in Charter Public Schools

Many have suggested that charter schools can be key agents in leading dramatic improvements in public education. However, the small number of highly successful charter schools and charter management organizations (CMOs) currently in operation throughout the country will have to grow much faster to meet this challenge. To achieve that growth, schools also will need a strong supply of great teachers and leaders. This report, produced by Public Impact for the Center for American Progress, looks at six leading CMOs—Green Dot, High Tech High, IDEA, KIPP, Rocketship, and YES Prep—and the strategies they have implemented to build the supply of high-quality teachers and principals in their schools. The paper also presents barriers and challenges that remain for these CMOs, as well as promising opportunities to support more rapid future growth.