Today, Indiana has laws that empower families to choose and embolden leaders to expand the number and types of great schools. Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is actively working to help high-quality schools — whether they are autonomous district schools, charter public schools, or even private schools — by creating spaces for them in unused district facilities. The Indianapolis Mayor, a leading charter school authorizer, partners with community organizations to provide families with real time, accurate information about all Indianapolis school options, so parents can make informed decisions for their children. Indiana is also home to the nation’s fastest growing choice scholarship and tax credit programs, which are contributing to a vibrant sector of private schools serving low-income students.
The three-sector approach in Indianapolis, which we are proud to support, translates into more high-quality educational opportunities for families — schools like KIPP Indianapolis, which moved into an unused IPS facility this school year, and schools like The Oaks Academy, a private school network serving a diverse student population, which expanded into a third location in an unused IPS facility this past fall. In 2015, The Oaks was the top performer statewide on Indiana’s standardized math and reading exams (ISTEP+).
Indianapolis still has much work to do to ensure that all children have access to a high-quality education. But it is inspiring to witness this city becoming a place where families are able to choose from a diverse set of school options to find the best fit for their children.
As we celebrate choice and the possibilities it brings, I’m encouraged by this example of what’s possible, and I look forward to working with our many colleagues nationally to create more high-quality choices in all three sectors in the years ahead.
