Private Companies To Take Over Five Poor-Performing Indiana Schools

The AP (8/30, Kusmer) reports, "Private companies will take over five public schools in Gary and Indianapolis that a state official called in 'various stages of dire situations' after the State Board of Education made the recommendation Monday because of poor classroom performance." The Indiana Board of Education "endorsed the Indiana Department of Education's recommendations that New York-based Edison Learning Inc. take over Gary Roosevelt High School; that Indianapolis-based charter school operator EdPower take over Indianapolis Arlington High School; and that Florida-based Charter Schools USA become the 'turnaround school operator' of three other Indianapolis schools, Howe and Manual high schools and Donnan Middle School." The AP notes EdPower operates Tindley Accelerated School, a charter with "a strong academic record with high expectations for its students" that was visited by Secretary Duncan earlier this year.