Photo: WFIU
Legislation will increase charter school funding and allow for conversion of public schools to charter schools.
One of the centerpieces of Governor Mitch Daniels’ education reform movement now awaits his signature after the House approved a charter school expansion bill Wednesday.
The legislation greatly expands charter schools in Indiana, allowing for more charter school sponsors, providing for traditional public schools to convert to charter schools and increasing funding for charter schools.
Speaker Brian Bosma, whose work on charter schools goes back more than 15 years, says even though the bill isn’t exactly what he envisioned, it’s still a great accomplishment. “Giving more families options as they select the school that is right for their student, I believe it takes a great step forward in that regard,” said Bosma.
But Bloomington Representative Matt Pierce says the bill doesn’t help Hoosier students. “Will this really advance educational policy and improve student achievement?” Pierce said. “And I think if you look at the objective data, the answer is, ‘Not really.’”
The governor says passage of the bill helps put Indiana first among states in reforming and improving public education.
