Nonprofit's proposal would radically reorganize IPS | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com:

Nonprofit's proposal would radically reorganize IPS

11:51 PM, Dec. 17, 2011 |
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Matthew Tully with Mind Trust CEO David Harris: Star columnist Matthew Tully talks with Mind Trust CEO David Harris about the group's proposal that would radically reorganize Indianapolis Public Schools.

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Scott Elliott

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About the report

The 160-page report, "Creating Opportunity Schools: A Bold Plan to Transform Indianapolis Public Schools" was prepared for the Mind Trust by Public Impact, a North Carolina-based, nationally known education policy and management consulting organization.

The study cost $700,000; it was primarily paid for by a $500,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Education, along with support from two private foundations -- the Joyce and Broad foundations, both of which do work in education policy.

Public Impact is run by Bryan Hassel, a top national expert in school reform. He has written and edited two books on charter schools and school choice. Hassel has a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University and was a Rhodes Scholar, earning a master's degree in politics from Oxford University.

The report took 18 months to complete and included advice and research from a team of experts from across the country.

-- Scott Elliott

An Indianapolis nonprofit has unveiled an ambitious 160-page reform proposal to completely overhaul Indianapolis Public Schools.

If it came to fruition, the sweeping proposal offered by the Mind Trust would create one of the nation's most radical new organizational approaches to public education.

"If we're going to be serious about doing something transformational, we need an aggressive plan," Mind Trust CEO David Harris said.

Monday, December 19, 2011