Democrats at the Statehouse want legislative leaders to take a closer look at virtual charter schools in Indiana as two scandal-ridden schools prepare to close.

WFYI's Eric Weddle sat down with former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and asked why he championed the charter school law.

At least three charter organizations hope to open 9-to-12th-grade high schools in Indianapolis next year.

This decision breaks with years of growing this model, district leaders say this does not signal a shift in policy.

Indianapolis Public Schools officials have pushed lawmakers to change a catch-all charter school bill. They say it doesn't go far enough, but some lawmakers say they can't legislate for a single school district.

Lawmakers backed off a proposal Monday that would have forced school districts to share referendum dollars with nearby charter schools.

House Education Committee chair Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) is proposing a bill that would require any districts that pass funding referenda to share those dollars with local charter schools.

The district conducted reviews of seven struggling schools, to provide feedback and recommendations on whether a restart should be considered.

It remains to be seen if these studies will impact the IPS board's decision-making, which includes an upcoming vote on whether bring several charter schools into the district.

A state committee is recommending sweeping changes to rules for virtual charter schools in Indiana, as the group reached general agreement Monday on a drafted set of proposed policy changes.