INDIANAPOLIS STAR EDITORIAL:
Let's celebrate charter success

When Abby Lynn receives her high school diploma today from Fall Creek Academy, she already will have put her freshman year of college behind her.

That's because Abby, valedictorian of the charter school's first graduating class, has earned 33 college credits, enabling her to enter the University of Southern Indiana in the fall as a sophomore. Several of her classmates, according to Kevin Teasley, president of the GEO Foundation, the school's sponsor, have earned more than 25 college credits.

Students' early exposure to college-level work is a part of the vision for Fall Creek. The charter pays for students' college tuition and textbooks.

All of this takes place at a school where nearly two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced price lunches because of their families' low incomes.

Members of the General Assembly should strongly consider such success stories when debating the state budget during a special legislative session in June. House Democrats pushed a moratorium on new charters during this year's regular session. A compromise proposal -- a cap of one new charter per district per year -- is expected to be revived next month. It's a position based on a misguided view that charters somehow weaken traditional public schools. [READ MORE]

From WISH-TV:
1st charter school graduation in 7 years

Leslie Olsen
Edited by Hyacinth Williams

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana's first charter school is preparing for its first graduation May 20. 24-Hour News 8's education reporter Leslie Olsen was there seven years ago when the school first opened its doors.

Senior Abbey Lynn gave Leslie a tour of Fall Creek Academy. The charter school changed its name and location four years ago.

Seven years ago when it opened, it was known then as 21st Century School at Union Station.

Then Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and school founder Kevin Teasley spent years arguing before the General Assembly for taxpayer funded schools free from many traditional school regulations. [READ MORE]