CGMI-F v1.0
Framework Specification
Initial publication of the CGMI-F framework — five domains, twenty practice areas, five maturity levels, three appraisal tiers.
Capability Matrix
Five domains across the horizontal axis, five maturity levels on the vertical. Every cell describes what governance looks like in that domain at that level. Click any column header to drill into a domain.
Level Determination Logic
A school's overall CGMI level is determined by its lowest domain rating. A school that is Level 4 in four domains but Level 2 in one is rated Level 2 overall. This "staged" approach prevents strong areas from masking weak ones and ensures balanced governance capability.
The Integration Layer
CGMI operates across two layers. The Maturity layer (Part I) determines how mature a school's governance is. The Integration layer (Part II) connects that rating to the broader charter ecosystem.
Three integration profiles extend a school's CGMI rating into the relationships that matter most:
- CGMI-A connects ratings to the authorizer relationship and renewal process
- CGMI-P connects ratings to network-level portfolio governance
- CGMI-C connects ratings to federal grants, NACSA standards, and state compliance frameworks
Integration profiles are implemented by the relevant ecosystem participant. A school's maturity level is determined entirely by Part I criteria — Integration profiles govern how that level is recognized and used externally.
Explore the Integration layer →Core Design Principles
Staged Model
A school's overall CGMI level equals the lowest of its five domain ratings. The staged model ensures balanced governance capability, not strength in one area masking weakness in another.
Gate Requirements
Each level has explicit gate requirements that must all be met — cumulatively — to achieve that level. Requirements are behavioral, not self-reported.
Capability Level Profile
In addition to overall level, every appraisal produces a capability profile across all five domains, exposing strengths and advancement targets.
Evidence-Based
CGMI ratings are assigned from objective evidence — meeting records, training completions, policy audit findings, financial data — not from self-assessment questionnaires.
Governance Maturity Score
The GMS is a 0–100 composite score calculated from practice-area-level assessments across all five domains. Each domain contributes up to 20 points (4 practice areas × 5 points each). The GMS serves as a diagnostic tool at Levels 1–2 and becomes a formal gate requirement at Levels 3–5.
View the scoring methodology →