Indianapolis Schools Chief Demands Charter Investigation

The Indianapolis Public Schools superintendent wants the state to investigate charter schools that he claims break federal and state laws by turning away homeless and disabled students.

IPS Superintendent Eugene White wrote Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett Monday requesting the investigation into enrollment practices at all charter schools operating within its district boundaries and at 10 schools in particular. He says six schools have threatened to expel students only to give parents the option of withdrawing students to avoid expulsion.

White says 72 students have returned to IPS since the September count date that determines state funding while 27 students have left IPS for charter schools.

Indiana Department of Education spokesman Alex Damron says the state will carefully review documents on the charter schools' enrollment practices provided by IPS.