This week I saw how far Minnesota's influence extends - even to the dusty desert of southeastern New Mexico. I'm in the town of Roswell, well known to many as a place where aliens may or may not have landed some years ago. A "t" shirt sold locally depicts an alien looking out, with the message, "We're not sure we believe in you, either."

But searching for aliens didn't bring me here. Instead, it's a gathering of parents, educators, parents and statewide education leaders to discuss one of Minnesotan's well known innovations: charter public schools.

Michael Gottlieb, Superintendent of Roswell praised Joe Andreis, principal of a local charter middle school as a "creative, talented educator who has done a wonderful job." Gottlieb also noted that two charters have been proposed for Roswell, but only one was approved because "we were not convinced that the people involved in the second plan understood the needs of Roswell."

That's a key part of the charter idea…there is no absolute right to start one. In New Mexico, as in Minnesota and more than 35 other states, people who want to start a new charter public school have to convince another group that they have a good idea, and the ability to do it well. The charter's sponsor or authorizer may be a local school board, a university, a social service agency with $2 million in assets, or a statewide body such as New Mexico's Public Education Commission.

According to Roswell's superintendent, Andreis is "well known and highly respected." He's the kind of person who has been attracted to the charter movement in many places. The number of charters has grown from 1, in 1992, to about 4000 this fall. Enrollments in charters have grown from less than 100 in 1992, when the nation's first charter was created in St. Paul. This fall more than 1 million youngsters will attend charters.

In Minnesota and New Mexico, charters are found in suburbs and rural communities, as well as cities. The opportunity to carry out your dream, as long as you are responsible for results, has attracted parents, educators and community groups throughout the land.

Unfortunately, sometimes mistakes are made. In both states, a few charters have been closed. Some did not attract enough students to stay open. In some cases, there was not sufficient oversight, and people miss-used public funds. Sadly, despite our best efforts, with both district and charter public schools, some people who will exploit opportunities and steal!

Despite this reality, Diego Gallegos, Albuquerque Assistant Superintendent told me he supports the charter idea. A fascinating man, Gallegos can trace his family back in New Mexico more than 400 years. Gallegos explained that "students do not all learn in the same way - and we need options."

That recognition, which Minnesota has promoted through a variety of public school choice plans, has helped many, many youngsters. This week was one more reminder of how educators and policy-makers often look to Minnesota for good ideas.