I read with great interest recent coverage in the Broad Ripple Gazette regarding the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE) plans to improve student achievement in the state's lowest performing schools. Across Indiana, a bipartisan consensus is forming around this issue, and I am glad your newspaper has made coverage of the school turnaround process a top priority.

However, after receiving feedback from many of your readers, I feel it is important to clarify a topic of much confusion in recent months. Our efforts to turn around schools are guided by state law. Federal accountability guidelines have no bearing on what happens to the 20 schools at risk of state intervention. More specifically, accountability provisions within No Child Left Behind will not impact the State Board of Education's decision-making process.

In Indiana, schools are subject to academic accountability measures based on Public Law 221 (PL 221). Passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 1999, PL 221 places school into five performance categories determined by several key academic success indicators. A school becomes eligible for state intervention after it has been in the lowest performance category for six consecutive years. For more information on Indiana's school accountability process, I encourage you to visit www.doe.in.gov/PL221.

If intervention is necessary, the state board may choose from a diverse set of measures to ensure Hoosier students in the lowest performing schools begin to receive the quality education they deserve. It's important to understand action plans will be developed for schools based on the unique needs of the students in the individual learning communities.

Moreover, our efforts to give these students the quality education they deserve must be inspired by the belief that-with proper support from caring and competent adults-every child can learn. Regardless of ZIP code, family income, or unique educational needs, all children can achieve academic growth. If we come together to act and firmly believe all students can and deserve to learn, parents, educators and the IDOE can successfully turnaround our chronically underperforming schools.

The Indiana Department of Education has been very transparent about its intention to pursue equal and exceptional educational opportunities for all students. Turning around our lowest performing schools is a crucial part of accomplishing this important goal. I look forward to working with the entire Broad Ripple community to ensure the students of Broad Ripple High School receive an education that sets no limits of their future accomplishments.

- Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction