Indianapolis schools have once-in-a-generation chance for transformation

Indianapolis Star

6 days ago

A recent IndyStar story, 'IPS parents fear school closures, resource cuts as new advisory board begins work,' explored some Indianapolis Public Schools parents' concerns regarding the newly created Indianapolis Local Education Alliance and the impact its recommendations might have on the education landscape. The story shared important perspectives that should be taken into account as the ILEA does its work.
It is also essential to recognize that almost two-thirds of IPS resident students attend schools that are not managed by IPS. The majority of students — and the vast majority of students of color and low-income students who attend public schools — attend contractually autonomous public charter and innovation schools. Their families deserve a voice when it comes to the future of our education system.
The Indiana General Assembly's creation of the ILEA represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pursue bold, structural change that benefits all 46,000 public school students within IPS boundaries and sets our education system on a path to sustainability.
The facts are clear.
IPS served well over 100,000 students at its enrollment peak in the 1960s. Today, direct-managed IPS schools serve just over 18,000 students. As enrollment in direct-managed schools declined in recent years, the district's revenue skyrocketed. For example, IPS received over $260 million last year in local property tax revenue, almost twice as much as just six years prior. This is true even though enrollment in district-managed schools declined by 24% during that same period.
The district's per-pupil funding recently climbed as high as $23,000 per-student as a result of increasing assessed values, multiple referendums and an influx of federal funding. Yet, by IPS' own calculations over the past few years, the district will run out of money by the end of next year without another large referendum or significant cuts to its central office. This was true even before this year's legislative funding reforms, the bulk of which don't start until 2028.
This is not sustainable.
Thankfully, we have a public school model that works and operates much more efficiently than top-down school systems. Numerous studies from top research universities have shown that Indianapolis charter schools lead their students to significantly more academic progress than traditional public schools. This is particularly true for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.
Indianapolis charter schools achieve these results while receiving an average of $7,900 less in per-pupil funding than traditional public schools. In fact, the University of Arkansas recently found that Indianapolis charter schools are the most cost-effective in the country.
Briggs: The IPS-charter school fight puts politics over children
The choice before us is clear: Preserving the status quo will ensure that IPS becomes insolvent and is subject to state intervention, which will cause massive disruption for students and families. There is no evidence that the Rebuilding Stronger plan will increase enrollment or create efficiencies that will change this reality.
On the other hand, pursuing a bold path of structural reform will ensure that all students are served well and IPS becomes stronger and more sustainable.
IPS has shown in the not-so-distant past a courageous willingness to buck the status quo and pursue break-the-mold reforms. There is no better example of this than the district's embrace of contractually autonomous innovation schools, which have stabilized IPS' enrollment, improved academic outcomes, and shown how cross-sector collaboration can benefit all students.
Our community should be optimistic about the nine-member ILEA. All of the mayoral and district appointments are serious people who care about all students, regardless of the type of school they attend. They represent a range of perspectives and experiences. They deserve a chance to make recommendations that meet the gravity of the moment.
Imagine a system of schools where all families, regardless of income or zip code, are able to choose the school that best fits their children's needs. Imagine a system of schools where educators are empowered to lead and all schools are held accountable for results. Imagine a system of schools where all students have access to high-quality academics, extracurriculars, facilities, and transportation.
To achieve this future, IPS must radically rethink how it operates so it becomes sustainable in an ever-changing education landscape. We are fortunate that IPS is helmed by leaders who understand the stakes and are deeply committed to student success.
I'm optimistic that the ILEA can help set our community on a path to boasting a high-quality education system that becomes the envy of the world. I'm also hopeful that the voices of the students and families who make up the majority of our public school system will be taken into account as this process unfolds.
Let's come together, meet the moment and forge a future where all children succeed.