3/23/2006
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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Mayor’s charter schools initiative named a Top 50 Program in Harvard’s Innovation in American Government Awards competition
INDIANAPOLIS - Harvard University has announced that Mayor Bart Peterson’s charter schools initiative was selected as one of the Top 50 Programs in the 2006 Innovations in American Government Awards competition, organized by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
The Innovations in American Government program is a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. Its purpose is to provide concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and that it deserves greater public trust. The awards are often referred to as the "Oscars" of government awards.
The Mayor’s charter school initiative was selected as a Top 50 Program based on four criteria:
· Novelty: the degree to which the program demonstrates a leap in creativity;
· Effectiveness: the degree to which the program has achieved tangible results;
· Significance: the degree to which the program successfully addresses an important problem of public concern;
· Transferability: the degree to which the program, or aspects of it, shows promise of inspiring successful replication by other governmental entities.
Mayor Peterson is the only mayor in the country who can grant charters and authorize schools, thereby creating a sector of new public schools under a nationally-recognized accountability system. There are currently 12 Mayor-sponsored charter schools in operation, with four more scheduled to open this fall.
The seven winners of this year’s Innovations Award competition will be announced on July 10, in conjunction with the annual Excellence in Government Conference. Winners receive a $100,000 grant.
For more information on the Mayor’s charter school initiative, go to www.indygov.org/eGov/mayor/education/charter/home.htm.
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