Amethod Public Schools
In 2004 Jorge Lopez took control of the school. At the time its Academic Performance Index (API) was 650. Lopez received guidance from Ben Chavis, head of the American Indian Model Schools, and established a system similar to the system of American Indian Public Charter School at Oakland Charter Academy. In late September 2007 the Oakland Charter Academy became the second public school in Oakland to win the National Blue Ribbon award. Oakland Charter High School opened in 2007.
Frederick M. Hess
While at AEI, Hess has hosted public events with policymakers to discuss their visions for reforming American education. Notable speakers have included US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on cost-efficiency in K-12 schools, Congressman John Kline (R-MN) on the Republican vision to fix the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and former Washington, DC, Chancellor and current StudentsFirst CEO Michelle Rhee on how education leaders can transform failing schools. Hess has also led major conferences on the Common Core State Standards Initiative, civic education, the federal role in education, and school funding.