As a local task force known as the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance begins its work, parents across the city are watching closely—and with hope. Created through House Bill 1515, the ILEA represents a new opportunity to envision a public education system that puts student outcomes first, no matter the type of school. For families, this isn’t just about policy—it’s about real change in the areas that matter most.
We hope the task force members will keep in mind these parent stories and testimonies:
- Cristal Salgado’s story about current unfair system for transportation, which prevents families from accessing several quality public schools because they don’t offer transportation.
- Parent advocate LaToya Hale Tahirou’s testimony on the need for using data on student outcomes to drive decision-making – especially around growing school models that are working best for students who have struggled the most.
- Sashah Fletcher’s comments on ensuring fair funding across all public school types.
Advocates have been clear about the need to address the painful achievement gap that persists in IPS and other districts inside Indianapolis/Marion County. The ILEA represents a great opportunity to think about how the best in both sectors – IPS and public charter schools – can be leveraged to deliver dramatically better outcomes for all students, including those who remain furthest from opportunity.
But that work begins with listening to parents – these parents – who have lived in the system and know what needs to be done to address the core issues that continue to stand in the way of fairness and equal opportunity for every child to succeed.
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.
