5/3/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Jo Lynn Garing, [317] 327-3690 |
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Peterson signs on as national co-chair of 2005 'National Charter Schools Week'
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson is one of the national co-chairs of the 2005 "National Charter Schools Week," which is observed May 2-6, 2005.
"National Charter Schools Week helps shine a spotlight on the great things charter schools are doing for students in Indianapolis and across our country," Mayor Peterson said. "I am honored to join leaders from across our nation to support and encourage more choice for parents within the public school system."
About National Charter Schools Week. The celebration originated with state-level celebrations in California and Michigan, and, for the last six years has been co-sponsored by grassroots charter support organizations, resource centers and charter school associations across the country.
Dozens of such organizations in nearly every state were co-sponsors of last year's celebration, including organizations or school contacts in all states with charter schools. Many of the co-sponsoring organizations also staged events of their own to help draw attention to charter schools, honor students, involve state and local elected officials or gain media attention and support.
About charter schools. Charter schools are independent, public schools - designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders and others - that are freed from most of the regulations governing traditional schools. They control their own curriculum, staffing, organization and budget. In exchange for this freedom, they must meet the highest academic standards.
Educators, community leaders and parents who start charters select the curriculum and philosophies for the schools, such as a back-to-basics foundation, technology or school-to-work approach.
The "charter" is a written performance contract entered into with a sponsor that explains what the school will attempt to accomplish, how student performance will be measured and what level of achievement it will attain. The schools are accountable to state officials, their authorizers, parents and the public. A school that fails to comply with the terms of its charter may have its charter revoked.
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