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Interview with Indiana House of By Lindsey Brown
LB: Did you vote on the charter school law in 2001? BB: I have cast my vote in favor of passage of charter school legislation at every opportunity, including in 2001.
LB: Do you think charter schools are enhancing Indiana’s education system? BB: There is no doubt that charter schools are offering innovative learning opportunities for children throughout Indiana, especially those children who are otherwise underserved. Charter schools enhance and improve the quality of all public education, and challenge every school to strive for new ways to achieve educational success for each child.
LB: Why do you think more than 10,000 students are attending charter schools in Indiana today? BB: Parents desire the best possible education for their children. Not every child thrives, however, in the traditional public classroom setting. The flexibility presented at so many charter schools is very attractive to many families, and demand will continue to increase as options expand.
LB: Why do you think traditional public school teachers are leaving traditional schools to teach in charter schools? BB: Teachers are attracted to charter schools because they appreciate the instructional freedom offered by charters. In most charters, the school’s educational agenda and curriculum are driven by those closest to the students, the teachers. Teachers are encouraged to continually develop creative teaching methods that will lift up each child and provide an opportunity for each child to succeed.
LB: Why are Superintendents starting to embrace charter schools? Do you see this as a growing trend in Indiana? BB: Superintendents are tasked with the mission to create a positive, successful education environment for every student. Charter schools provide an additional tool that helps fulfill that mission offering limitless options and opportunities for students, parents and faculty to succeed.
LB: Do you think Indiana needs more charter schools? BB: There is no question that Indiana needs more charter schools, as evidenced by long waiting lists at existing charter schools. More charter schools translates to more options, which leads to more opportunities for success for Indiana students.
LB: What do you see as a priority to expand the charter school movement? BB: Several priorities are on the horizon to expand the charter movement in Indiana. First, we need to further stabilize the state’s funding commitment to charter schools. We also should consider expanding the entities that may sponsor charters. We also should seek to refine or eliminate needless administrative regulatory burdens on charters (and all schools for that matter), while preserving the obligation of charters to be diligent regarding their fiscal responsibility.
LB: Do you think charter schools should have access to capital funds just like other public schools? Why or why not? BB: Charter schools are public schools. The state has long-supported public funding of public school buildings and this policy should be no different for charters. It is a testament to the fiscal responsibility and management of charters that they have survived five years without access to capital funds. Many charters use tuition support dollars to fund both classroom education and buildings. Most operate with charitable support for capital costs as well. Their spending control is a model for other schools, yet we cannot ignore the fact that the ongoing success of charters requires some form of capital funding support.
LB: Do you think charter schools should have access to transportation funds just like other public schools? If not, why? BB: Like capital funds, we must find a workable formula for transportation expense. No child should be excluded from attending a charter school due to an inability to find a way to get to school.
LB: What will be your priority in education and how do charter schools fit in to your priorities if you are Speaker of the House in 2007? BB: Our education agenda for the 2007 legislative session will be aggressive. Now that the House Republicans, in partnership with the Senate and Governor, have balanced the state’s budget for the first time in a decade, we are positioned to invest more in education support for all public schools, including charters. Our goal is to expand the learning opportunities for every child and to ensure that state resources are properly directed to classroom teaching rather than administrative expense. A thriving education system is the next key step in Indiana’s road to economic recovery.
LB: If Speaker of the House, will you appoint an education committee chair who is supportive of charter schools? Who might that be? BB: As Speaker, I
appointed a leading charter school and education reform advocate,
State Representative Bob Behning, as chair of the House Education
Committee. I deeply appreciate Bob’s commitment to education, and
especially to charter schools. I am confident that he will continue
his leadership role and unwavering advocacy for education choices
for Hoosier families if I am privileged to hold the office of
Speaker in 2007. |
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For More Information or to Submit and Article: Contact Lindsey Brown lindsey.brown@geofoundation.org |
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