This report presents the research and development undertaken in the first year of a 3-year project to develop a Model Leadership Training Program for charter-school founders. The report provides detailed descriptions and analysis of charter schools' leadership needs and what is required to found and sustain a successful charter school. The text describes the study's context and methodology, current research, a pre- inventory, design team recommendations, and academy experience. The report concludes that charter-school leadership needs can be outlined in five core content areas: startup logistics and curriculum and assessment; leadership needs that vary according to school type; leadership needs that change radically during organizational transitions; the ability to develop a shared organizational vision and the training methods and styles used to communicate information to charter-school founders. Six appendices feature a charter-school pre-inventory application, evaluation forms, and other information. (RJM)