One of the more compelling arguments for charter schools is their theoretical ability to streamline decision making. Eliminate all those layers of bureaucratic fat that clog the arteries of most public school systems, the argument goes, and decisions can be made to flow much more smoothly, even when it comes to designing and building a major school project. That's the theory, but when the charge is to design and build a new charter high school in just over three months, it takes more than fast-tracking to make the project succeed. Five years ago, teachers, parents, local business owners, high-tech advocates, and entrepreneurs in Anchorage, Alaska, came together to discuss creating a charter school as an alternative for middle and high school students. They envisioned a small school with a low student-teacher ratio that taught a technology-rich curriculum, problem solving, and team-building skills through project-based education.
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