Summary:
Indiana is a leader in providing school choice.
Public School Choice:
Indiana offers some choice within the public education system, including open enrollment within the Indianapolis school district and an inter-district open enrollment policy for students in other districts. The Center for Education Reform reports that Indiana has a relatively strong charter school law. As of 2010, approximately 20,000 students were attending the state’s 62 charter schools.
Private School Choice:
In 2011, Indiana implemented the most expansive school choice program in the United States. Within three years, approximately 60 percent of middle- and low-income students in the state will be eligible for scholarships to attend a private school of their choice, with scholarship amounts determined on a sliding, income-based scale. Indiana also offers parents a tax deduction to help pay for education costs, such as school tuition or tutoring. Finally, low-income families also have the option of participating in the Corporate and Individual Scholarship Tax Credit Program, which allows individuals and businesses to receive a tax credit for donating to scholarships for low-income students.
Online Learning:
Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning reports that Indiana does not have a state virtual school but does have one full-time virtual public school (new as of 2011) and two full-time virtual charter schools available statewide: Indiana Connections Academy Virtual School and Hoosier Academy Virtual School. There are also two hybrid charter schools throughout the state as well as a variety of statewide supplemental, district-led programs. As of 2011, online charter schools no longer have to be limited as pilot programs. In 2010-2011, the two full-time charter schools enrolled 470 students, and the two hybrid schools enrolled 617 students.
Recent Developments:
In 2011, Indiana implemented the most expansive school choice program in the United States. Within three years, approximately 60 percent of middle- and low-income students in the state will be eligible for scholarships to attend private schools of their choice. Indiana will now also provide a tax deduction for parents of up to $1,000 to help pay for education costs, such as school tuition and tutoring.
More Information:
Click here for detailed information on Indiana's public school system and see below for school choice contacts and a history of school choice legislation in Indiana.