Muncie, Dec. 13 (AP) - Ball State University will sponsor nine charter schools around the state by next fall. Both the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary and the Urban Brightest Academy in Fort Wayne will open next year, school officials announced this week.
Charter schools are public institutions with more autonomy and freedom from some state regulations in return for assurances of improved student performance.
The 2002-03 school year was the first time charter schools were allowed to operate in Indiana, and so far Ball State is the only public university in Indiana to sponsor charter schools.
There are currently 18 charter schools planned or operating in Indiana.
"These schools not only offer parents and students an alternative to traditional public schools, but also allow us to study innovative teaching methods," said Blaine Brownell, president of Ball State.
The Rev. Sylvester Hunter, who applied to open the Urban Brightest Academy, was rebuffed by the university last year. Hunter applied again in October with a greater emphasis on urban issues and was approved.
The Urban Brightest Academy will also focus on math, science, computer technology and work to bolster character education.
The Thea Bowman Academy is expected to open in August and will focus on service and the community.
"We're in the early stages of ecstasy," said Anne Thompson, vice president of the Katharine Drexel Foundation, which will operate the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy. "We're happy, elated, humbled and excited about the serious challenge ahead."
But some public school officials aren't as excited about the prospect of more charter schools in their area.
Another charter school in Fort Wayne could cost the schools district up to $500,000 in lost revenue from the state, said Thomas Fowler-Finn, superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools.
"Ball State is turning a deaf ear on the concerns of public schools," Fowler-Finn said.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)