ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how charter school politics are nested within a larger framework of interest group politics and idiosyncratic social and political contexts. The focus centers on examining the political and educational values of public and non-public organizations, state officials, and local actors. The rapid growth of Indiana's charter schools and the debate that preceded passage of the law are commonplace features in the political landscape of school choice in the US. The chapter examines the origins and implications of this unique mayoral function in charter school authorization and accountability against the backdrop of urban school politics in which mayors play increasingly pivotal and powerful roles. As the Obama Administration and the Secretary of Education urge mayors to take greater responsibility for improving school performance, the chapter discusses the timely contribution to the debate regarding the appropriate role and scope of authority of these city leaders in public education.
