A recent Ball State University study has been receiving national attention.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools acknowledged the report that showed how public charter schools generally receive less funding from states and districts than traditional public schools.
Charter schools have always received less funding than traditional public schools, Larry Gabbert, director of the Office of Charter Schools.
"Some people viewed the charter schools as a short term thing," he said. "I think there was a concern that there was going to be money put into [charter schools] that might not be in business in a few years."
The report showed that public charter schools across the country receive about $2.2 billion less than traditional public schools each year.
The study could bring to light the issues of funding for charter schools so changes can be made, Gabbert said.
"There continues to be a push of charter schools to the public," he said. "The more research that can be done contributes to the general knowledge and that information can be shared with legislatures."
The report also shows that charter schools are not getting equal funding Nelson Smith, president and CEO of National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said in a press release.
"This persistent pattern of unequal funding for public charter schools threatens to impede their continued growth," he said. "That means opportunity denied for several hundred thousand children now on charter-school waiting lists."
The report broke down funding information for 24 states and Washington, D.C. and showed how their revenues add up to dollars allocated to traditional public schools.
The study showed that charter schools in Indiana went against the national trend. Indiana's 37 charter schools received 32.4 percent more funding than district schools statewide, the report said.
Indiana is one of two states where the Department of Education has awarded a grants to assist charter schools, Gabbert said.
"In many states there are no assistants for charter schools to lease, renovate or construct facilities and it's one of the biggest shortfalls," he said.
Gabbert said Indiana still has funding issues, though. The state doesn't provide funding for things like transportation to charter schools, although there is funding for traditional public schools.
The report also showed that although statewide Indiana's charter schools received more funding than district schools, the 17 charter schools in Indianapolis received 11.8 percent less funding than district schools and the 16 charter schools in Gary received 9.9 percent less.
Gabbert said information from the report is useful and important because the charter school movement continues to grow.
"I think it's important for people to know that charter schools are to some degree handicapped and don't have the same resources as traditional schools," Gabbert said. "Yet they are expected to perform just as well, if not better."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
