MUNCIE, Ind. – Two schools have successfully navigated the six-month approval process and have earned sponsorship from Ball State University as Indiana's newest public charter schools.

Based upon a recommendation of a charter school review panel of university faculty and external advisors, Ball State President Blaine A. Brownell approved the sponsorship of schools in Gary and Fort Wayne.

The new schools, which will open next fall, are:

• Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, Gary. The school will initially serve grades K-6 and projects an enrollment of 360 students. The school will be designed as a pre-high school college preparatory program with emphasis on reading and math.
• Urban Brightest Academy, Fort Wayne. The academy will initially serve grades K-5 with a projected enrollment of 200 students. The academy will focus on math, science and computer technology and will work to instill core values of honesty, respect, tolerance, fairness, self-discipline, integrity, citizenship and responsibility.

"We are pleased that the schools offer unique programs, which fit well into the university's plan of building a solid, diversified network of public charter schools," said Brownell. "These schools not only offer parents and students an alternative to traditional public schools, but also allow us to study innovative teaching methods that could eventually benefit children in all public schools."

This year, 19 organizations filed statements of intent and 16 submitted applications for charters. There were many strong applications and presenters did an excellent job describing the type of students they would serve and the curriculums they would offer, said Ken Miller, assistant to the dean of Teachers College.

Applications were reviewed for strong community support and educational programs. Charter proposals were also evaluated on finances, facilities and various other aspects.

"We have given a thorough review to the applicants and are moving forward deliberately to work with a number of schools that we feel comfortable managing," said Roy Weaver, dean of Ball State's Teachers College.

Ball State became the first state university to formally begin the sponsorship process after the Indiana General Assembly last year approved legislation allowing four-year public universities, public school districts and the mayor of Indianapolis to sponsor charter schools.

In March, Ball State granted charters to seven organizations across the state. Schools in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Floyds Knob, Lafayette and Schererville began operating under Ball State charters this fall, while the Charter School of the Dunes in Gary will open in 2003.

These public schools receive state funding, but are independent, nondiscriminating, nonsectarian entities that operate under a performance contract known as a charter.

As a charter schools sponsor, Ball State will not run the schools, but reserves the right to rescind a charter if a school fails to meet performance standards.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Weaver at (765) 285-5251 or rweaver@bsu.edu.)