What Happened To Six Indianapolis Public Schools Thursday?

Six “failing” Indianapolis public schools will either face a state-run takeover or be put on a short state-held leash, we learned Thursday — as we had reported they would.

Indiana state superintendent Tony Bennett announced Thursday the state’s Department of Education would bring in private operators to run Manual, Howe, and Arlington High Schools, along with Emma Donnan Middle School — likely setting the stage for a legal showdown between district administration and the state.

Additionally, while not taking over George Washington and Broad Ripple Magnet High Schools, the state appointed “lead partners” to assist in the transition.

So what’s the difference between schools with “turnaround school operators” (Manual, Howe, Arlington, Donnan) and the schools with “lead partners” (Washington, Broad Ripple)?

Administrations in schools with turnaround school operators have effectively been replaced by these private companies, which will run “all or part of the school’s operations,” according to an IDOE statement released Thursday afternoon.

IDOE

Indiana's Superintendent for Public Instruction Tony Bennett.

Schools with “lead partners” will keep their current staffing, but the state will employ outside groups to assist administrators in meeting academic achievement targets.

Earlier in the day, Bennett announced Gary’s Roosevelt Career & Technical Academy would be taken over by a turnaround school operator.

Here’s how the state will intervene in the six “failing” Indianapolis schools:

George Washington Community High School, Lead Partners: Wireless Generation, The New Teacher Project

Emmerich Manual High School, Turnaround School Operator: Charter Schools USA

Emma Donnan Middle School, Turnaround School Operator: Charter Schools USA

Broad Ripple Magnet High School, Lead Partners: Scholastic Achievement Partners, The New Teacher Project

T.C. Howe Community High School, Turnaround School Operator: Charter Schools USA

Arlington Community High School, Turnaround School Operator: EdPower