House Bill 1002 passes, may help create charter schools

Among Gov. Mitch Daniel’s comprehensive education reform package is House Bill 1002, the charter school bill. The bill, which passed the full Senate last Tuesday with a 29-20 vote, aims to ease the process of opening new charters.

While educators have protested the bill for the past few months out of fear that an increase in charter schools would compete with traditional schools for money, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett said he believes the bill will improve public education in Indiana.

“I believe firmly that all parents, regardless of salary, race or ZIP code, should have access to excellent schools for their children,” Bennett said upon passage of the bill in the House. “And tonight, Indiana’s legislators increased opportunities for all students by removing some of the obstacles to innovative, effective school models.”

The bill will now go back to the Indiana House for approval before moving to the desk of Gov. Daniels.

What is a charter school?

Charter schools are K-12 schools that receive public money but are not subject to the rules, regulations and statues that apply to traditional public schools.
In exchange for the freedom to experiment with curriculum and techniques, charter schools are held to higher accountability for producing certain results.
Charter schools, like traditional public schools, must have open enrollment policies and cannot discriminate based on disability, race, color, gender, national origin, religion or ancestry.

Why expand charter schools?

Charter school advocates have voiced concern regarding the waiting lists for charter schools in Indiana. The bill’s sponsor, House Speaker Brian Bosma, claims there are about 3,500 students on waiting lists to get into one of the state’s 62 charter schools.
Currently, only public state institutions and the mayor of Indianapolis can authorize a charter school; legislators said they hope the bill will expand that power so other institutions can help establish new charter schools.

About the bill:

Requires 90 percent of charter school teachers to be licensed or in the process of obtaining a license.

Expands the list of potential charter school sponsors to include private colleges, a new Indiana Charter School Board, the Department of Education and mayors of mid-sized cities.

Allows for the creation of a teacher licensing system for college graduates with a 3.0 grade point average in a related subject area.

Requires consent from only 51 percent of parents and the school board in order to convert a traditional public school to a charter school.

— Michelle Sokol