(Undated) - Indiana students who attend charter schools do better than their counterparts in traditional schools says a new study which should delight supporters of charter school expansion.

The study was released Wednesday by the Stanford University Center for Research on Education Outcomes. It’s an expanded look of the center’s 2009 report “Multiple Choice: Charter School Performance in 16 States.”

Indiana’s charter schools tied with Louisiana as the nation’s second best among the 17 states studied. New York was first.

Looking from 2004 to 2008, the study determined Indiana was one of just five states where charter school students showed better gains than their peers in the traditional schools they otherwise would have attended.

Students were compared in similar demographics and had the same test scores starting out.

Looking at the distribution of school performance among all ages, 98% of the charter schools had similar or superior academic growth than the traditional public schools in reading and 100% of charter schools had similar or superior academic growth in math compared to traditional public schools.

“At a time where there is acute attention to quality in the charter sector, the charter schools in Indiana are proving to be a high quality option for students and parents,” said Dr. Margaret Raymond, Director of CREDO at Stanford University.

The study will no doubt be used to support the argument that Indiana should pass legislation to expand charter schools.

Indiana Superintendent for Public Instruction Tony Bennett said after the report’s release it further demonstrates that charter schools can and do help Indiana children succeed academically.

 “As the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development considers charter legislation, CREDO’s findings highlight the need for more quality educational options for all children, and the bill’s charter accountability provisions will ensure the highest quality education for students around the state,” Bennett said.

The piece of legislation which expands charters – House Bill 1002 – was being considered by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. It earlier passed the house 59-38.

There are currently over 60 charter schools across the state.

A full copy of the CREDO report can be found at http://credo.stanford.edu.

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