Dive Brief:

• On Wednesday, the Indiana State Board of Education approved $40 million in state loans for charter schools.
• Charter schools can receive up to $5 million, but a per-student limit sets the cap at no more than $1,836 per student if the requests exceed the $40 million total.
• So far, 12 schools have requested $25 million, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Dive Insight:

The question of whether state funds should go toward charter schools, which are often privately operated, has become a contentious one as the sector grows. In a recent state Supreme Court decision, Washington has cut charter schools off from general funds.

In Indiana, the board decision has prompted questions from some teachers. “Should we be giving that much money to schools that have D and F grades? Or brand new charters that don’t have grades at all?” John O’Neal, of the Indiana State Teachers Association, told the Indy Star.