Top of the Charts: Indiana Leads Rankings of State Charter School Laws for 3rd Consecutive Year
According to a recent study conducted by a charter advocacy group, Indiana offers the most favorable legal environment for charter schools. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released its annual evaluation of charter school laws, titled "Measuring Up to the Model: A Ranking of State Public Charter School Laws," on Tuesday. Colorado moved up to the second spot from fifth place last year, after the state implemented new legislation in 2017 to ensure fairer funding for charter schools. The top five ranking is rounded out by Washington, Minnesota, and Alabama.
Kentucky, which recently passed new charter school laws, made its debut on the list at number ten. However, certain aspects of the state’s charter framework are still in the process of being finalized, and no charter schools have been established there yet.
The report ranks states with charter school laws and provides recommendations for each state. Here are four key findings from the study:
1. Methodology: To assess the laws in 44 states and D.C., the organization compared them to its model charter law, which was updated in 2016. This model law defines the components that the Alliance believes should be included in state charter policy to promote growth and success in the sector. States that allow for multiple authorizers and do not cap charter growth earn higher rankings based on their similarity to the model law.
2. Indiana’s progress: Indiana has maintained its top ranking in the nation’s charter law for three consecutive years. According to the study, Indiana’s law received the highest score because it does not limit charter growth, allows for multiple authorizers, and ensures both accountability and autonomy. The report mentions that Indiana’s score increased slightly compared to the previous year due to improvements in policies related to special education. However, there is still room for improvement, as the report suggests that Indiana should address the spending gap between charter and traditional district schools and strengthen accountability measures for virtual charter programs.
3. States at the bottom: The report deems Maryland to have the weakest charter laws, with only district authorizers and insufficient autonomy or accountability. The report suggests that Maryland needs improvements across the board. Other states ranked in the bottom five include Kansas, Alaska, Wyoming, and Iowa, which also require significant improvements.
4. Changes in rankings: Washington, D.C. jumped ten spots to secure the eighth position in the rankings. However, the report acknowledges that this increase is partially due to a change in methodology. States such as Arizona, Louisiana, and New York, which dropped in the rankings, did not necessarily weaken their laws. They were overtaken by states that introduced new laws or strengthened existing ones.
In response to the study, Andrea Rogers, the director of Northeast Charter Schools Network, expressed the need for improvements to the charter laws in New York, highlighting deficiencies in facilities funding and age discrimination against older charter schools in New York City.
Please note that and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools are supported by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Doris & Donald Fisher Fund, Walton Family Foundation, and the William E. Simon Foundation.
Receive stories like these directly in your inbox by signing up for Newsletter.