Bryan C. Hassel, Progressive Policy InstituteSeptember 21, 2004
Bryan C. Hassel authored and the Progressive Policy Institute published this terrific account of the first three years of charter schooling in Indianapolis under the extraordinary leadership of Mayor Bart Peterson. What's most remarkable about this tale is its coherent, strategic purposefulness. In effect, the Mayor's Office is creating a whole new "sector" of public education in Indianapolis, and it's off to a strong start. With ten schools operating and several more soon to open, this sector is on course to enroll about 4,500 youngsters within a few years. (That's about ten percent of total district enrollment.) The "new approach" alluded to in the subtitle of this 37-pager is the mayor's role as charter authorizer. But in fact the report contains lessons, insights, and sage advice for other authorizers and communities, and is a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on charter schooling. You can find it online here.
