CER News Alert

INDY SCORES CHARTER VICTORY 

(Washington, DC 4/19/01) Indiana lawmakers delivered a strong charter school law to its citizens Wednesday, culminating the end of a seven-year effort led primarily by State Senator Teresa Lubbers, of Indianapolis (Dist-30) and a coalition of leading business, foundations and citizens.

"The Hoosier State will likely rank in the top dozen of states with the strongest laws," said Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform. "This is an outstanding victory for the parents and teachers who have been waiting a long time to affect their children's education."

The Indiana law is strong for the following reasons, according to CER's ranking criteria:

• Allows state university sponsorship statewide, and the Mayor of Indianapolis to charter schools
• Allows for the legal autonomy charters need in terms of hiring, district rules, and union contracts. This applies to new starts only.
• Allows for an unlimited number of charter schools to open in the state.

Showing that the trend is likely to continue in favor of charter schools, amendments to strengthen charter school laws are pending in Minnesota, Missouri, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Illinois and Alaska. In Iowa, for the first time, charter school legislation is currently moving through the legislature.

More information on charter schools can be found on CER's award-winning website www.edreform.com.

"Indiana Legislature Passes Charter School Law" Education Week, April 25, 2001, By Jessica L. Sandham

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The Center for Education Reform is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1993 to provide support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For further information, please call (202) 822-9000.

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