Charter closes, standards upheld 3.18.11

INDIANAPOLIS STAR

One of the more important selling points for charter schools in Indiana has been the promise of strong accountability.
Charters either deliver on their obligation to foster high student achievement, proponents contend, or they'll be shut down at a faster pace than traditional public schools that are failing.
Mayor Greg Ballard delivered on that promise Friday in announcing that a charter school under his authority, the Fountain Square Academy, will be forced to close at the end of the 2011-2012 school year because it hasn't met the city's performance standards.
Another charter school, Fall Creek Academy, was allowed to continue operating for now, but remains in jeopardy despite strong academic gains last school year. The city's Office of Education Innovation and the Charter Schools Advisory Board are expected to make a final decision on Fall Creek's future later in the year after reviewing data from this school year.
And a third school, KIPP Indianapolis, was granted only a two-year extension on its charter because of inconsistent performance. Three other schools -- Charles A. Tindley, Indianapolis Metropolitan High and the Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence -- received full renewals.
Is Fountain Square's failure a sign that students aren't any more likely to succeed in charter schools than in traditional environments? Recent research indicates otherwise. A Stanford University study released last week found that students in Indiana's charter schools showed stronger gains than students in the traditional public schools they otherwise would have attended. An Indianapolis Star analysis this month also found that students in mayor-sponsored charter schools in Indianapolis outperformed their peers in traditional schools.
The accountability measures put in place for charters are a key to ensuring their performance. But there's often pressure not to follow through with the ultimate sanction of closing a failing school. Plans set by students and their families are disrupted. A neighborhood loses an asset. The political risk for the charter authorizer, in this case the mayor, of admitting that a school has failed can be significant, especially in Indiana where charters remain controversial.
For those reasons and others, it's encouraging that Greg Ballard stood firm.
Charter schools hold great promise for this city and state. But only if high standards are maintained.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110319/OPINION08/103190305/-1/7daysarchives/Charter-closes-standards-upheld