|
LAW |
|
Year Passed |
2001; last amended in 2007.
|
|
Rank |
8th strongest of the nation's 41 charter laws. |
|
Grade |
B |
|
GENERAL DATA |
|
|
• Governor’s 2011 education agenda calls for more and improved charters
• Operating charters have many freedoms
• Funding formula is vague |
|
INDEPENDENT OR MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - YES (3) |
|
Approval |
School boards, public state universities, and the mayor of Indianapolis. |
|
Appeal |
Yes. If an application is rejected, it may be submitted to another sponsor or
the Charter School Review Panel. The Panel may approve the proposal, but
cannot act as the sponsor. |
|
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED |
|
Cap |
Yes. Unlimited for charters sponsored by school boards. Five per year sponsored by the mayor of Indianapolis (unused charters may be transferred to following year). |
|
OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY |
|
State |
Yes. Charters are exempt from almost all state and district rules.While
permitted in the original law, a funding moratorium stunted the creation of
virtual schools. Currently, there is a small pilot program with potential to
expand.Management contracts with ESPs are not restricted. |
|
Local |
Yes. A blanket waiver also exempts charters from local district regulations. |
|
Teacher Freedom |
Yes for new starts. Teachers may organize as a separate bargaining unit. No
for conversions. Teachers remain covered by district collective bargaining
agreements, but may apply for a waiver from specific provisions. Charter
schools may participate in state's retirement system, or establish a retirement
system for its employees. |
|
EQUITY |
|
Student Funding |
• Funding is supposed to be proportionate, but a complex formula often results in problems receiving money.
• Funds pass from the state and district.
"The department shall distribute to the organizer the state tuition support
distribution. The department shall make a distribution under this
subsection at the same time and in the same manner as the department
makes a distribution of state tuition support under IC 20-43-2 to other
school corporations…(b) Beginning not more than sixty (60) days after the
department receives the information reported under section 2(a) [IC 20-24-
7-2(a)] of this chapter, the department shall distribute to the organizer:
(1) tuition support and other state funding for any purpose for students
enrolled in the conversion charter school; (2) a proportionate share of state
and federal funds received…(3) a proportionate share of funds received
under federal or state categorical aid programs for students who are eligible
for the federal or state categorical aid and are enrolled in the conversion
charter school." [Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 20-24-7-2 and 3] |
|
Facilities Funding |
None. |
