Indiana

Lori Shyavitz & Lester Eggleston Jr.

Background Information:
The Indiana Charter School bill failed to gain a majority 
vote in the General Assembly on April 29, 1995 (Labalme,  
Apr. 30, 1995, p. B4).  Charter schools were championed by 
conservatives.  The bill was composed by Sen. Morris Mills R-
Indianapolis.  In the bill, charter schools could be created 
by teachers, community leaders, or an independent group (such 
as a corporation) (Shankle, Indianapolis Business Journal. 
15:51, p. 5).  Opponents to the bill were teachers unions, 
because it limited collective bargaining, and many Democrats 
(who received support from these strong unions). 

        Some opponents to the bill, such as the Indianapolis 
Education Association, see it as a decrease in the quality of 
education due to the fact that "teachers [would be] replaced 
by less-qualified interns" (Shankle,  Indianapolis Business 
Journal. 15:51 p. 5).    

        Opponents also state that charter schools will become 
private schools that are publicly funded.  There was no 
mechanism to fund their implementation.  Although teachers 
opposed the bill that failed in the General Assembly, they 
are not opposed to the concept of charter schools.