Feb. 19, 2008
Gov. Daniels Declares Week of Feb. 18 "Indiana Charter Schools Week" to Coincide with the Indiana Charter School Conference

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to Speak at Opening Luncheon

• Governor Daniels Proclaims “Indiana Charter Schools Week”
• The 2008 Indiana Charter Schools Conference takes place February 21-22, 2008
• Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will speak at the February 21 luncheon
• The Conference is sponsored by the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association
• The conference features nationally-known speakers on education and education reform
• More than 40 free, public charter schools are in operation since the passing of enabling legislation in 2001, providing an innovative education to more than 11,000 Hoosier children

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Governor Mitch Daniels issued a proclamation declaring the week of February 18, 2008 as “Indiana Charter Schools Week” to coincide with the 2008 Indiana Charter Schools Conference, sponsored by the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association, taking place February 21-22, 2008 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. Governor Daniels will also be sending a taped message to be shared at a conference luncheon February 21st.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will speak at the February 21st luncheon.

Governor Daniels’ Proclamation recognizes that Indiana’s charter school law was enacted in 2001 to allow the creation of quality public charter schools, which offer educational opportunities to families, and that more than 40 currently operating charter schools have been created in Indiana since 2001. With the recent approval of nine new charter schools, next year 49 free, public charter schools will be in operation, providing an affordable choice to parents and students for whom traditional public schools, Parochial schools, and tuition-based private schools are not the right educational fit.

The Indiana Charter School Conference features keynote addresses from Jay Mathews of the Washington Post, Jeanne Allen, President of the Center for Education Reform, Dean Kern of the U.S. Department of Education, and Nelson Smith of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. In addition to sharing news of charter schools’ progress, the conference will focus on the future of charter schools in Indiana and nationally.

Additional notable presenters and attendees include Joe Williams of Democrats for Education Reform; Cathy Lund, of the Walton Family Foundation; Ben Lindquist of the Chart School Growth Fund; Senator Teresa Lubbers, chairman of the Senate Education Committee and author of Indiana’s charter school law; Lisa Diaz of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies; and many more.

Jeanne Allen and Senator Teresa Lubbers will be joined by David Shane, president and CEO of LDI, Ltd., Inc., and charter member of the Indianapolis Mayor’s Charter School Review Panel, for a special business breakout session sponsored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and offered free of charge to the business community. The session is designed to recap the growth of charter schools since 2001, provide a summary of student performance, highlight pending challenges and discuss future projects.

State Representative Robert Behning and State Senator Earline Rogers will be honored at separate events during the conference to recognize their dedication to offering the youth of Indiana an educational choice through the creation and support of charter schools.

“Charter schools are a driving force in Indiana’s educational system,” said Vicki Snyder, chair of the Indiana Public Charter School Association and presenting sponsor at the conference. “The schools stimulate innovation that reaches beyond the 11,000 plus students currently served by charter schools in the state – we see many traditional schools responding to the competition.”

“This conference will provide business and community leaders with insight on how charters are positively affecting all facets of the state,” said Kevin Teasley, president of the GEO Foundation, producer of the conference. “From revitalizing the community to transforming the future workforce, charter schools have a broad effect. It’s no surprise that we’re seeing the desire to start new schools accelerating.”

Attendees will also be treated to performances by The Indianapolis Children’s Choir, including the Charter School Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Galileo Charter School.