The plan to accept applications was approved Friday by the Ball State Board of Trustees.

"Providing access to high quality education programs and partnerships has been one of our historical missions," said Roy Weaver, dean of Teachers College. "Sponsoring charter schools builds upon this mission."

Experience in the operation of two innovative schools - Burris Laboratory School and the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities - also played a role in the decision, he said.

"As a sponsor, we intend to have a positive influence on K-12 education statewide," Weaver said. "Working with charter schools will provide practical experiences for university students and research opportunities for our faculty."

The charter school bill was approved by the Indiana General Assembly and became law on July 1. Local school boards, baccalaureate degree granting universities and the mayor of Indianapolis have the authority to sponsor charter schools.

Such schools are independent, nondiscriminating, nonsectarian public schools operating under a performance contract known as a charter. Schools, which may serve any range of K-12 grades, will be state funded and must maintain an admissions process open to all Indiana residents.

As a sponsor, Ball State would not be responsible for daily operations or funding of charter schools, leaving management in the hands of the school's administration.

The university must certify each sponsored school is in compliance with its charter and applicable laws. A charter may be revoked if a school fails to maintain standards established in the charter.

A rigorous, multi-phase application and review process has been developed. When a group submits an application, a team of specialists will review the proposed school. The team will pass its recommendations to Ball State's president for final approval.

In other business, the board approved:

• Recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a university holiday.
• Changing the name of the Department of Business Education and Office Administration to the Department of Business Information Technology.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about Ball State's plan to sponsor charter schools, contact Weaver by e-mail at rweaver@bsu.eduor (765) 285-5251. He may also be reached at home at (765) 288-4344 or by cell phone at (765) 744-0913.)