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IU task force releases charter school report
Oct. 3, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- An Indiana University task force made up primarily of School of Education faculty and researchers recently released a report to clarify issues relating to charter school legislation.
The report, titled "Indiana's Strategy for Funding Charter Schools," analyzes the financial and logistical issues facing the organizers and sponsors of charter schools, Indiana public school corporations, and the state government. It is available on the Web at http://www.indiana.edu/~iepc/news.html#INFinance.
"Indiana has one of the most successful school funding formulas in the country. But it is also very complex," said task force member Neil Theobald, chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education. "The types of issues identified in the report are to be expected when the state incorporates a major policy revision into such a complex structure."
In seeking to identify potential financial issues before the first charter school is approved, the task force created two goals. First, by identifying possible problems now, the 2002 General Assembly can ensure the intent of the legislation is realized. Second, the paper provides potential sponsors the guidance needed for including the school-funding equivalent of an "environmental impact statement" in the criteria they use to evaluate charter school applications.
"The report will give those seeking charter school approval the information they need to plan and implement a program," said Gerardo Gonzalez, dean of the School of Education and chair of the task force. "It will also help sponsors understand the financial issues some school districts may face. Because of our complex state funding formula, the issues are widely varied from district to district. There are many options available, but everyone concerned needs to be aware of them from the beginning."
As a major research university, Gonzalez said, IU has a responsibility to present the best available information to all parties concerned about the charter school issue. "This is an important role for Indiana University and one we hope the charter school task force can help implement," he said.
For more information on the report, contact Theobald at 812-856-8397 or theobald@indiana.edu. For more information on the role of the charter school task force, contact Gonzalez at 812-856-8001 or gonzalez@indiana.edu.
(Debbie O'Leary, School of Education, 812-856-8031, devo99@indiana.edu)