BOISE -- Public charter school leaders, parents, advocates, policymakers, and others packed the Intermountain Gas Company Conference center on Thursday for the Third Annual Public Charter School Summit sponsored by the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families.

Participants came from throughout the state to attend, making it the largest summit yet.

"We're thrilled that so many committed public charter school advocates took part in this year's Summit. The attendance more than doubled from last year - an indication of the growing interest and involvement in charter schools around the state." said Bridget Barrus, president of the coalition. "It was a great opportunity for us to network, learn from one another, and plan our efforts to protect and increase public school choices through 2006 and beyond."

Participants heard from experts, school leaders, public officials, and parents who shared their perspectives on the growing and successful movement.

Discussion topics throughout the day included: the latest trends in charter public schools in Idaho and nationally, including the rise in enrollments and improvements in educational results; a panel discussion on effective school governing boards; a presentation on the operations of virtual charter schools in Idaho; the importance of and strategy for statewide political advocacy for protecting families' public school options; a primer on Idaho's complicated public school financing mechanism; and upcoming state legislative issues with a panel of State legislators including Senate Education Chairman John Goedde.

Numerous Idaho legislators, members and staff of the State Board of Education, and the Idaho Charter School Commission attended the event.

There are nearly 8,000 students currently attending 24 public charter schools in Idaho, with four charter schools slated to open next year. The current waiting list of students whose parents hope to get them into charter schools totals 3,400 students. The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families is an advocacy organization representing the parents of charter school children. To learn more about the Coalition, visit their