Zero Chance of Passage

Over twenty years ago, the Minnesota legislature passed the first chartered school law in the nation. By all accounts, it shouldn't have happened. Today, 70 percent of the American public supports chartering, and over two million students attend over 5,600 chartered schools in forty-one states and the District of Columbia. Chartering succeeded because it was a bipartisan initiative from the middle of the political spectrum that arose from visionary citizens outside the political system.

Ember Reichgott Junge served in the Minnesota Senate from 1983 to 2000, having been first elected at age twenty-nine. She served over twenty years as a general counsel for Twin Cities businesses and nonprofits before becoming chief advancement officer of Minnesota's largest human services nonprofit. She is a broadcast political analyst, former radio host, and a member of the National Charter Schools Hall of Fame. Ember is board vice chair of Charter Schools Development Corporation, and her board service has included the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Red Cross, Twin Cities United Way, Citizens Independent Bank, and National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Ember received her BA from St. Olaf College, JD from Duke University Law School, and MBA from University of St. Thomas.Ember is an avid ballroom dancer and most enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael Junge.