When we talk about improving public education, one word often rises to the top: accountability. But what does that really mean—and why does it matter so much?
At Stand Indiana, we believe accountability isn’t about consequences or blame. It’s about ensuring every student has access to a high-quality public education. That means identifying what’s working, fixing what’s not, and making decisions based on real data and student outcomes.
📊 What Accountability Looks Like
Accountability in education means having a clear, consistent system to measure school performance and take action when schools consistently underperform. It’s about:
- Scaling up schools and programs that are proven to work, especially for underserved students.
- Phasing out or redesigning schools that continue to struggle, year after year.
- Using data—not politics—to guide decisions that impact students’ futures.
🧭 Why It Matters in Indianapolis
Here in Indianapolis, more than 46,000 students are served across all public school types. Every one of those students deserves a school that helps them thrive.
That’s why Stand Indiana has long advocated for a plan to grow school models that are data-proven to improve outcomes for underserved students—and to roll back those that aren’t working, regardless of whether they’re traditional or charter.
Accountability means asking hard questions—and demanding better answers.
Our community has spoken up again and again:
- “I want IPS schools that close the gap.”
- “Our children deserve an equitable education.”
- “I’m asking IPS for proven schools.”
Last year, Stand Indiana and our partners delivered a petition to IPS calling for a detailed plan to grow great schools. The board responded with resolution to reopen the innovation school application process—unfortunately not a proactive plan to partner with high-performing schools.
A University of Colorado study on Denver Public Schools shows what is possible when districts make data-driven decisions grounded in an accountable system: student outcomes improve when quality is scaled, and low-performing schools are closed or restructured.
We’ve also compiled our own data on the best-performing schools for children of color in Indianapolis.
✅ The Bottom Line
Accountability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a lifeline for students who have been underserved for far too long. If we want to build a truly fair education system, we must start with a shared definition of success and a clear plan to get there.
Because every child deserves a school that works.
About This Series: Understanding the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA)
In 2025, Indiana lawmakers passed House Bill 1515, establishing the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA)—a task force comprised of local leaders led by the mayor of Indianapolis with the goal of generating ideas to ensure IPS traditional schools and the charter sector are collaborating to improve student outcomes. The ILEA is not about choosing one type of school over another. It’s about building a cohesive system of schools—district, charter, and innovation—that work together to deliver better outcomes for all students.
This blog series explores the key policy areas that our advocates believe are essential to creating a high-performing, student-centered education system. Each post will dive into a specific topic—ranging from school accountability and funding to transportation—highlighting how these elements can support a system that prioritizes better results for students.
