| In the early 1990s, members of the Red Clay Consolidated School District School Board strongly believed in providing an alternative educational experience for students as opposed to traditional public schools. William E. Manning, the former President of the Red Clay Consolidated School District school board, worked with government officials to create and enact the charter school law in Delaware. Once the charter school law was passed, Manning enlisted the support of other board members and educational leaders to form a team to develop a charter school. In 1996, through dedication and determination, the Charter School of Wilmington was opened with the intention of improving education throughout the state of Delaware. Since opening, the Charter School of Wilmington has continued to succeed for various reasons. Through a process of interviews with individuals who were involved with the development of the Charter School of Wilmington, this study revealed the contributing factors for success included effective leadership, autonomy, high academic standards, and school choice. The intent of this study was to determine if these contributing factors could be utilized as a framework for future charter school leaders. |
