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Zero Chance of Passage

THE PIONEERING CHARTER SCHOOL STORY BY EMBER REICHGOTT JUNGE
Over thirty years ago, the Minnesota legislature passed the first charter school law in the nation. By all accounts, it shouldn’t have happened. Today, 70% of the American public supports the charter school movement and there are over 7,500 charter schools in 45 states. Charter school legislation has succeeded as a bipartisan initiative from the middle of the political spectrum that arose from visionary citizens outside the political system.

CSDC Board Vice-Chair Ember Reichgott Junge, the Minnesota state senator who authored her state’s law, candidly shares her personal and challenging journey of pioneering the charter school concept through its early origins, its tumultuous legislative passage in Minnesota, and its explosion onto the national stage. Offering never-before-published historical documents and first-person accounts by supporters and opponents, this book informs the past and the future of public education. It’s an eye-opening and stimulating inside look at policymaking. Zero Chance of Passage is the seminal reference on the history of this unique and inspiring redesign of public education.

Zero Chance of Passage wins top honors in three categories for 2012 Literary Awards.

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