This is a good one. Florida charter chain Charter USA is expanding into Indiana, where it will run three charter schools. It is a for-profit operator. The states where it operates don’t require it to spend any minimum on educating kids. So it has enough money left over in its profits to make political contributions. According to our friend Coach Sikes, Charter USA contributed to the political campaign of state superintendent Tony Bennett, who in turn will be real friendly in granting more charters so they will have more profits to contribute to more political campaigns. Florida taxpayers are subsidizing Indiana’s race for state superintendent.
Remember education reform? Oh, that.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
One might also say Remember ethics? Oh, that.
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Another story that flabbergasts me. Thank you again, Diane, for sharing so much information. One element of your blog that is so helpful is that you add so many little pieces, day after day, that help us put the whole puzzle together. Things I was wondering about just a year or so ago are so irrefutable when I see story after story in state after state. It gives me confidence to go forth. For example, over a year ago, my friend and I were debating the motivation behind some decisions in our state by the legislature. She is what many would consider far right but believes in public education as a foundation for democracy. Someone else mentioned the privatization motivation to her, and she was asking my opinion. I hesitantly said yes…that I know it might sound like conspiracy theory but yes, i believed there were factions of this reform movement who have privatization as a motivation…today, I can assert unequivocally that privatization is a driving force. As in any war, it is helpful to know thy enemy. I really appreciate the effort it takes to hunt down and present each piece. In this way and many others, you are a champion for the cause as you bolster all of “us” out here.
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Thank you, Kay. In the light of what is happening in state after state, there is no doubt that the forces of privatization are moving fast to take advantage of this moment in which both Republicans and Democrats are calling for more privatization and calling it “reform” to confuse the public. We must be informed.
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Diane, Thank you for what you do. Your blog has become my first reading assignment everyday. This blog has become the “one stop shop” for information on K-12 Education throughout all the USA. Your research is wonderful, and you have given real teachers a place to share their experiences. I’m a retired AZ educator who grew up and was educated in Indiana. I go back there often to visit my mother. Last Spring, I read two things in the Indiana press that relate to this blog post. I’m sorry I can’t provide links. I read a comment in the Indianapolis Star ( I think) by the Indianapolis PS Superintendent. He claimed that the District would not enroll students who were kicked out of a charter school after the Student Count Date. I know they would not be allowed to do that. But it hinted at something most people don’t know. Student funding is based on a Student Count Date, early in the school year. If a student leaves after that date, the money stays with the school. The public school must accept that student without the funding.
The second thing I wanted to share was written in an editorial in the Vincennes, Ind paper. It was about a proposal to bring charter schools to Fort Wayne. The writer noted that, at the school board meeting to consider this, the only person who spoke in favor of charters was one Board member. There were no parents at the meeting asking for charters. The writer questioned why charters were being considered if Fort Wayne parents were happy with their schools.
I’m sorry that this is only a remembered summary. I hope you have some readers who are teachers in Indiana and can add to my comments.
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There are now three charters in Fort Wayne. Two of them (maybe all three, but definitely two) are run by a for-profit chain. The three are among the lowest performing schools in the state of Indiana. I will have a post about it with a link in the next day or two.
Indiana is now a happy home for for-profit entrepreneurs in education, welcomed by Governor Daniels and the Legislature.
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