LEADING QUESTIONS: Mind Trust CEO takes stock of IPS reform proposal
What exactly does The Mind Trust do? What happened to its report on remaking IPS? Do you need teaching experience to reform education? David Harris has answers.
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Ball State’s charter school oversight criticized
A report from a charter school sponsor trade group recommends closing charters that rank in the bottom 15 percent of their state's standardized test scores. Under that standard, 10 of Ball State's 38 charter schools would be closed.
Judge: Indiana districts can sell schools despite law
A judge has ruled that two northeastern Indiana school districts can sell vacant schools, bypassing a state law requiring them to wait four years in case a charter school wanted to claim the buildings.
Seven more charter schools on tap for Indianapolis
Mayor Greg Ballard’s office has approved seven more charters—more than half as many as he approved in his previous five years in office.
Charter, voucher backers wary of schools chief Ritz
During Republican Tony Bennett’s tenure as superintendent of public instruction, Indiana became the poster child for school choice. But with Bennett’s surprising election loss to Democrat Glenda Ritz this month, the future of charter schools and private-school vouchers is murkier.
Tindley school plans huge expansion with national grant
Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, which currently has two locations, will use a $1.6 million grant from the Charter School Growth Fund to open five more schools over the next three years.
Teach for America to help Marian University recruit principals
Both Marian and Teach for America say not enough people are prepared to lead schools in Indianapolis and around the state in areas of low income, high crime and broken homes.
Judge backs mayor’s decision to revoke school’s charter
The Project School in Indianapolis has lost a court battle to remain open after a judge denied an injunction challenging Mayor Greg Ballard's decision to revoke the school’s charter.
Charter school lands more time in fight against closure
The Project School was granted a court hearing and restraining order Tuesday in its fight against Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan to revoke its charter. Ballard, though, emphasized his decision by issuing a “final notice of charter revocation.”
Ballard moves to shut down The Project School
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced Tuesday evening that he intends to revoke the charter that gives The Project School the authority to operate. Ballard cited poor test scores and “recently discovered financial problems.”
Mind Trust awards $1M to two charters to expand school models
The Indianapolis-based education reform group The Mind Trust will announce June 25 that it is awarding $1 million apiece to Indianapolis-based Christel House Academy and Boston-based Phalen Leadership Academies to launch new charter schools in Indianapolis.
IU report questions Mind Trust plan for IPS
Six months after the Mind Trust released its plan to reform Indianapolis Public Schools, researchers at Indiana University now say the plan rests on experiments in other cities that led to greater inequity among students and did not produce dramatic academic gains.
Charter schools in pipeline to be heavy on technology
Three “blended learning” educational organizations have been approved to open 19 charter schools here that combine online technology and face-to-face instruction. The strategy allows schools to save money by employing fewer teachers, yet also can produce impressive student results.
Following turnaround, charter school shoots for 4 more sites
After a near-death experience, the KIPP Indianapolis College Preparatory School is back on its feet and looking to spawn a mini-district of charter schools. KIPP-Indy leaders have drawn up plans to launch four additional schools from 2014 to 2020.
New charter school proposed for North Meridian Street
An Arizona charter school operator serving middle and high school students has filed plans to build a two-story school at Meridian and 22nd streets.
Ball State gives new life to Fountain Square charter
Fountain Square Academy, a charter middle and high school with about 270 students, will remain open after Ball State University decided to grant it a charter to continue operating after this school year.
Thirty-five teams apply for $1M Mind Trust grants
The winners’ mission will be to launch successful charter schools and replicate those schools at three or four additional locations around Indianapolis.
Christel House charter school to target dropouts
Charter schools for adults continue to pick up steam, as Christel House International prepares to launch the fourth such school in Indianapolis.
Extra money key to Mind Trust plan to transform IPS
The Mind Trust plan for transforming Indianapolis Public Schools calls for turning the district into a network of charter-like schools and giving them 15 percent to 25 percent more dollars to spend than Indianapolis charter schools currently enjoy.
‘Parent trigger’ would let parents convert schools
A measure being pushed in the Indiana House of Representatives would let parents vote to turn public schools over to charter school operators.