| Higher education institutions have been engaging with public schools in different forms, such as teacher preparation, curriculum design, and research. Starting in the 1990s, higher education institutions began to collaborate with a new form of public school called charter schools. This collaboration is called "sponsorship" or "authorization." Nationally, very few higher education institutions have taken advantage of this collaboration opportunity. However, a number of higher education institutions in the State of Michigan entered into relationships with charter schools through authorization. Even though different forces, such as public school officials and teacher unions, resisted this collaboration, colleges and universities in Michigan have continued to engage with charter schools and their collaboration has grown and flourished.;The purpose of this study is to understand the reasons behind the choices made by higher education institutions in Michigan to authorize charter schools. By studying the history and experience of one higher education institution's engagement with charter schools through authorization, it was hoped that this study would shed light on the reasons that might have led higher education institutions in Michigan to work closely with and authorize charter schools.;A qualitative design that employed a case study approach was utilized. Methods of data collection, such as interviews and document analysis, were used to try to understand the motives behind the initial decision of the chosen higher education institution to authorize charter schools. The study was guided by the stewards of place conceptual framework.;The results revealed that the decision to sponsor charter schools was made by the institution's leadership without the constituencies being either consulted or informed of the decision. The results also showed that political forces, such as the Governor and the Michigan state charter school law, were the influential factors behind the institution's leadership decision to sponsor charter schools. Justification for the decision was the use of stewardship of place and mission, as well as engagement. The results of the study suggested that the institution's leadership needs to include its constituencies, especially faculty members, in the decision-making process and to build mutual trust with them. Other higher education institutions that are reluctant to sponsor charter schools out of fear of community and constituency opposition can learn from this institution's experience that building trust and shared decision-making can aid in gaining approval. |
