The Teachers College will once again test the waters of the charter school system as it prepares to set sail with six potential new institutions.
Charter schools are non-profit entities that operate like public schools and are subject to the same laws. The schools, however, are given more independence when designing their curriculum and operate under a specific charter.
By sponsoring the charters, Ball State receives a small percentage of their state funding. In return, the university is responsible for ensuring the schools operate according to their charters and state law.
Each of the six showed strong ties to their communities, a successful education program, a workable financial structure and an innovative curriculum, said Ken Miller, the college's assistant dean.
"All of the proposals recognize they are going to have to meet the Indiana academic standards. They really can't deviate very far," Miller said.
President Blaine Brownell has until Dec. 12 to select the schools. He can approve all, none or some of the institutions. Those who make it will join seven other institutions that have already garnered Ball State's blessing.
When Ball State first announced it would sponsor charter schools more than a year ago, the topic was still floating in controversy. The superintendent of Ft. Wayne Community Schools initially refused to allow student teachers into his district.
Also, of Ball State's first charter schools that opened, only one was aligned with a education-management program.
Now, however, the controversy has simmered, and most of the six contenders work with a national education management program.
A description of the 16 candidates who filed intentions to charter can be found at the Teachers College's Web site: www.bsu.edu/teachers/charter/proposals.html. The following describes the six who made it past the initial inspection.
-- < B>Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Charter School, Gary< B>
Thea Bowman will primarily be available for low-income students, but the school is not exclusive to those students. The school will serve kindergarten through grade 6 initially and will expand to grade 7 in the fall of 2004 and to grade 8 in 2005.
< B>-- Knowledge is Power Program School, Hammond< B>
In its description, the KIPP School will provide "educationally underserved students with knowledge, skills and character," though it doesn't specify who those students will be. Upper-elementary students and students in grades 5 through 8 can attend.
< B>-- Chapman-Matthews School, South Bend
< B> Chapman-Matthews will cater to lower-income students in grades 7 through 12. The school will stress core academic subjects -- including mathematics, science and language arts--and more abstract subjects, including humanities and philosophy. It will also offer work-study programs.
< B>-- Charles Martin Academy of Success, South Bend< B>
The academy will combine a "back-to-basics" core curriculum and a multicultural curriculum, which will span several disciplines, though students will focus on humanities.
< B>-- Urban Brightest Community Academy, Ft. Wayne
< B> Urban focuses on math, science and technology for students in grades kindergarten through 8.
< B>-- Lafayette Central Academy, Roanoke
< B> Teachers at Lafayette will incorporate environmental studies into the core curriculum. A strong emphasis will be placed on character education, community service and stewardship for the natural resources.
Though Ball State may be the only university to sponsor charter schools, they do not lack in support. Deans at Purdue, Indiana and Indiana State universities said it is better for them to support Ball State, not compete.
"There was no need for the other institutions to become involved," said Jerry Peters, the interim dean of Purdue's school of education.
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