S2 E13 The Birth of Aspire Public Schools

In this episode of the National Charter Schools Institute's Bold By Choice Podcast, we spotlight another great story from the Founder Library. Hosts Vashaunta Harris and Don Cooper sit with the story of Don Shalvey, the California superintendent-turned-founder who helped launch the nation’s first charter management organization — Aspire Public Schools. Beginning in San Carlos, California — home of the state’s first charter — Shalvey describes how an unexpected lunch with Reed Hastings, then a tech entrepreneur and future Netflix CEO, turned into a decades-long partnership that changed public education. Together, they formed Californians for Public School Excellence, wrote new charter legislation, and set the stage for scalable, high-quality innovation in public schools. From that collaboration came a quiet but revolutionary innovation: allowing a single nonprofit board to oversee multiple schools — an idea that would forever reshape how charters could operate and grow. “An infinite number of charters all needing a board… was both inefficient and probably could create more problems with governance.” — Don Shalvey, Founders Library Interview Key Takeaways 1. Structure Unlocks Scale Don Shalvey’s policy insight — enabling multiple schools under one governing board — made Aspire Public Schools possible. That framework became the foundation for charter management organizations (CMOs) across the country. “I think anybody who ever does school work has to be open to uncertainty as well as the sort of art of possibility.” — Don Shalvey 2. Coalitions Build Change Shalvey didn’t work alone. He brought together teachers, policymakers, and innovators like Reed Hastings to turn policy into practice. It’s a model of bipartisan, collaborative reform still relevant today. “It wasn’t just about law — it was about leadership, relationships, and being willing to try something new.” — Don Shalvey 3. Humble Leadership as a Force Multiplier Throughout his career, Shalvey saw himself as a learner first — curious, adaptable, and generous in sharing what worked. That humility created the conditions for scale without losing soul. “She asked us for only one thing in return ever. And she’s like – just share everything openly with everybody.” — Don Shalvey, referencing the ‘share everything’ ethos that also shaped KIPP and Aspire. 4. Movement > Moment The Aspire story is not just about a network — it’s about momentum. Shalvey’s work at Aspire, and later at the Gates Foundation, reminds us that sustainable reform starts with shared purpose, not just structure. Reflections from the Hosts Vashaunta Harris: “Don Shalvey didn’t just build schools; he built a bridge between sectors. His ability to see innovation not as a threat, but as an invitation, is something every leader can learn from.” Don Cooper: “That one clause — one board, multiple schools — may seem small, but it transformed the entire field. Don’s story is proof that policy design and human vision have to work hand in hand.” Show Notes & Resources Interview: A School Founder’s History: Don Shalvey, Aspire Public Schools California Context: California’s Charter Schools Story 1992 Enabling Law: Senate Bill 1448, Chapter 781 (1992) Policy Background: Hart, Gary K. & Burr, Sue. “The Story of California’s Charter School Legislation.” Phi Delta Kappan (1996). Access required Founders Library – Full Archive: charterlibrary.org