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LAW |
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Year Passed |
2001; last amended in 2007.
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|
Rank |
8th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws. |
|
Grade |
B |
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GENERAL DATA |
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• Increasing hostilities have hindered growth
• Operating charters have many freedoms
• One of two states to have both mayor and university authorizers
• Funding formula is vague |
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MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - YES (3) |
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Approval |
School boards, public state universities, and the mayor of Indianapolis. |
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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. |
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NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED |
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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). |
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OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY |
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State |
Yes. Charters are exempt from almost all state and district rules. While permitted in the original law, virtual schools have not been allowed for the last two years due to a funding moratorium, but a small pilot program is beginning this fall. Management contracts with ESPs are not restricted. |
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Local |
Yes. A blanket waiver also exempts charters from local district regulations. |
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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 school may participate in state's retirement system, or establish a retirement system for its employees; specified in charter. |
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EQUITY |
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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.
• Average per pupil revenue - $7,000
"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] |
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Facilities Funding |
None. |
