The History and Politics of Charter Schools in Indiana - Research Paper Example

The History and Politics of Charter Schools in Indiana Introduction: Charter schools hold great importance and value for their unique conceptualization as compare to traditional public schools and are supported through public funds. A “charter” defines the set of policies, regulations in accordance with the school’s objectives, goals and overall infra-structure. According to different policymakers and reformers, charters schools would help in improving the overall standard and structure of education in the state. These charter schools allow enrollments without the element of any discrimination. The main purpose behind these charter schools is to provide an ease in education with excellence and effectiveness (Cheung, 1998). Undoubtedly, the numbers of charter schools are increasing rapidly. It has been estimated that there are nearly 4900 charter schools in the United States with an average of 400 charter schools opening on yearly basis (Lake, 2010). On an account, it has been estimated that till 2011, there are total of 36 charter schools that have been authorized in Indiana with 22 schools already functioning while 10 schools were set to start their operations in future. Two schools were shut downed even before opening of their academic operations due to lack of resources while just one school had been shut down officially due to inadequate and unsatisfactory results and governance. These charter schools have increased in number throughout in the state of Indiana with the highest number of charter schools operating in the main city of Indianapolis, where they account for 11 charter schools out of the overall 22 charter schools in the state (Plucker et.al, 2004). History of Charter Schools Movement in United States:         The concept of charter schools was coined in late 1980s. Ever since this concept has come into force, it raised a thought that charter schools would help in increasing the quality of education. The historical movement for charter schools began in 1991. This movement was aimed to achieve a new milestone in offering high-quality education through the establishment of wee-defined public schools for both children and their parents (Source: Mayor Sponsored Charter Schools: 2010). Charter school funding is complex to understand and has gone through many phases of development. Many political camps have appreciated the implementation of charter schools as it would influence the process for improving the standard of education all around the United States (Butryomowicyz, 2011). The History of Charter Schools Movement in Indiana: The state of Indiana has played a key role in the national charter school movement. This law was signed in May 2001 by the Governor Frank O’ Bannon. The law signed extended the right and permission to the concerned groups to play a positive role in the establishment of such charter schools in Indiana. The purpose behind the creation of Indiana’s charter school legislation is to recommend the various innovative but diverse options in public education to not just to students but also to cater the academic need of their families and the educators. This legislation is focused to target and serve in delivering the quality education to diverse populations of students hailing from different backgrounds (Source: Mayor Sponsored Charter Schools: 2010). In Indiana, the policy for charter schools was well-appreciated and positive work began when Indianapolis strategizes its own charter school after the acceptance of the law that passed in the state in year 2011. Since then this policy has remained in a continuous cycle of change (Plucker et.al, 2005). Under this law, the authority appointed for governing the performance and other activities of the charter schools is known as a sponsor or an authorizer who plays an effective role in issuing the charters. Not only a sponsor holds a vital position but sometimes a sponsor or an authorizer’s role can be critical in the establishment of the charter school system. A sponsor acts as a central formal agent for evaluating the performances and holding the charter schools responsible for any negligence in maintaining the efficiency and quality of education. Practically, these sponsors or authorizers are restricted to school boards including the five public universities those who are offering a four-year degree program and last but not the least, the Mayor of the Indianapolis. It has been analyzed that currently, the Ball State University, the Mayor of the city of Indianapolis as well as three school districts are the key authorities for the authorization of charter schools as 85 percent of the presently operated charter schools have already been backed by the Ball State University and the Mayor (Plucker et.al, 2004). The Key Developments under the Indiana’s Charter Schools Law: Indiana’s charter schools law has offered a great opportunity to educators, parents and the other concerned groups to set up new public schools meeting the requirements as stated in the legislation. This not only provides an opportunity but also adds a shared responsibility for maintaining the academic standard of such schools. Therefore under this law, the Mayor has been given the authority to approve charters to those concerned groups or to an individual who is determined to institute an effective academic foundation with the highest academic standards (Source: Mayor Sponsored Charter Schools: 2010). Through this law many positive steps have been taken such as it has enabled the conversion of already existing public schools into charter schools, restructured the private schools as charter schools which are based on the policy of being “nonsectarian” and “non-religious” and thirdly, the establishment of new charter schools in the state (Cole et. al, 2002). On the other hand, it has also liberated the education system from the monopoly and traditionalism of the public schools. It is worth-mentioning that Indiana’s charter schools law has kept at bay all the for-profit organizations for playing their direct role in charter schools. However, it allows the for-profit bodies to be inducted in managing the academic activities of these charter schools. Last but not the least this law has clearly mentioned that any contract signed would be under the law; bound to follow all the regulations and to provide innovative educational programs without creating the element of discrimination (Cole et. al, 2002).         After the induction of charter school law in Indiana, it was clear to observe an improved graduation rate which was previously near to 30 percent with falling test scores as compare to the state’s average in Indianapolis. This data was accounted for all the 11 largest schools in the city for their annual performance. This resulted in an increased number of charter schools in the districts. However, the percentage for the district’s graduation rose to 50 percent with a slight increase in test scores but still they failed to meet the state’s average (Butryomowicyz, 2011). On the contrary, a significant increase in charter schools can also be observed. During the year 2002, there were total 11 charter schools which have increased to 49 charter schools in 2008 with a gradual increase in the number for the charter schools in the state of Indiana (Plucker et. al, 2005). Summary of the Report: Analyzing the overall growth rate of charter schools in Indiana and Indianapolis, we can conclude that the increased number of charter schools have overshadowed the traditional public schools in terms of performance and quality of education. A significant change has been observed since the implementation of the policy which has marked a swift growth rate in the number of students enrolled annually in these charter schools as compare to the traditional public schools. Secondly, it has also been observed that students enrolled in charter schools have showed a remarkable learning gain particularly in reading and maths as compared to the students enrolled in traditional public schools, following an increased learning rate of 43% in 18 charter schools out of 42 and 26% in 11 charter schools, respectively. The basic aim behind the establishment of the charter schools in the state of Indiana as mentioned under Indiana Code is to introduce the different learning styles, advanced techniques, to fulfill the academic requirements of public school students, to give an opportunity to public school students to excel and develop their analytical skills with quality education, to facilitate the professional instructors and educators as well as through this charter parents and other community members get a chance to involve themselves in this process that ensures and secures the future for their better tomorrow through improved and enhanced state-of-the-art education. List of References: 1- Cheung, S., Murphy, M. E., & Nathan, J. (1998). “Making a difference? Charter schools, evaluation, and student performance”. Minneapolis: Center for School Change, University of Minnesota. < http://www.cpre.org/images/stories/cpre_pdfs/WP-01.pdf> viewed on 20 July, 2011 2-Robin J.Lake. (2010)-“A Balanced Look at American Charter School in 2009” Hopes, Fears and Reality. www.crpe.org/cs/crpe/downwad/csr_file/pub_ncscrp_hfr09_Jan10.pdf -viewed on 19th July 2011. 3- Plucker, J. A., Simmons, A. B., Eckes, S., Rapp, K. E., & Benton, S. A. (2004). “University sponsorship of charter schools in Indiana”. Bloomington, IN: Center for Evaluation and education Policy. 4- Mayor Sponsored Charter Schools (2010) “Application Handbook” 10th edition < http://www.indy.gov/OEI/Schools/Starting/Documents/Application%20Packet%202011.pdf> viewed on 20th July 2011. 5- Jonathan A. Plucker, Suzanne Eckes, Young Chang, Sarah Benton, Anne Trotter, Matthew Bradford, and Associates. (2005). “Charter Schools in Indiana: Overview, Funding, and Federal Expenditures”. Bloomington, IN: Center for Evaluation and Education Policy. < http://www.ceep.indiana.edu/projects/PDF/Special_Charter_Schools_in_Indiana_Overview.pdf> viewed on 19th July 2011. 6- Sarah Butryomowicyz (2011)- “Charter Schools: An Experiment With Mixed Result”. < http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/01/23/charter-schools-an-experiment-with-mixed-results/> viewed on 19th July 2011. 7- Cassandra M. Cole, Lynn H. Coyne, Gerardo M. Gonzalez, Gwynn Mettetal, Martha McCarthy, Kim K. Metcalf, Khaula H. Murtadha, Charles M. Reigeluth, Kathleen A. Smith Neil D. Theobald (2002)- “Indiana University’s Role in the Indiana Charter School Movement”. < http://site.educ.indiana.edu/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=BJ5XaUkTskI%3d&tabid=6212> viewed on 20th July, 2011. Read More