Education in Indianapolis is at a crossroads, and one key change could make a big difference: limiting the number of charter school authorizers.
Right now, there are 11 different organizations that can authorize charter schools in the city. This includes places like Trine University, which is more than 100 miles away. Their decisions can greatly affect schools in inner-city Indianapolis. For instance, Trine has approved seven charter schools, mostly in the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) area, but they’ve faced backlash from the community.
There’s ongoing debate about how charter schools perform compared to IPS. While some charters do excel, it’s complicated to claim that all charters are better or that charter schools should replace the traditional public system. Still, many parents are choosing charter schools for their children, which highlights the importance of school choice.
However, spreading limited funds across so many different charter systems can be reckless. Each school district has a finite number of students, and finances are tight. Allowing so many authorizers, many of which are not local, raises concerns. An analysis from IndyStar found that about a third of charter schools in Indianapolis end up closing. With 11 authorizers sending public money to schools that may only last a few years, is this responsible?
According to a report by the National Center for Charter School Accountability, nationwide, about 25% of charter schools close within five years, and the number jumps to 55% by the 20-year mark. As someone who has been on the board of a charter school that closed unexpectedly, I’ve seen the pain this causes for students and families firsthand. These closures destabilize communities, often affecting Black students and families the most.
We can’t just call high closure rates “accountability.” Authorizers need to do a better job of selecting strong charter schools. Research shows that many charters close due to poor performance, low enrollment, and financial struggles. It’s clear that charter school authorizers need reform.
For starters, we should prevent failing schools from simply switching authorizers to escape accountability. If an authorizer permits too many failing schools, it should affect their ability to operate. We also need to cap the number of new charter schools that can be authorized each year in a district. With the current setup of 11 authorizers, there are almost no limits on new charters, which can disrupt the entire school system.
As a graduate of Washington Township schools and a parent with a child in private school, I understand the importance of having quality school choices. Charter schools can offer great options, but without proper checks and balances, they can harm traditional public education in the IPS district.
To foster a better educational environment in Indiana, we must hold charter school authorizers accountable. Starting with a reduction in the number of authorizers in Indianapolis could be a crucial first step.
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