School of Education

School of Education alumnus noted for leadership by Senator Lugar

Senator presents Franklin Township with “Education Patriot” award, cites efforts of superintendent

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

On Wednesday, October 20, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar joined Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, to present Franklin Township Community Schools Corporation in Marion County, the third Lugar Education Patriot award. The award honors a school, school corporation, or education leader who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in improving the academic achievement and career preparation of Indiana students.

This year’s award honored a school district that has begun to turn around its student performance in just a few short years. A news release from Senator Lugar’s office cites the turning point as when it hired Walter Bourke, who earned a master’s in secondary education from the IU School of Education in Indianapolis in 1984, adding an Ed.D. in educational leadership and curriculum and instruction from the IU School of Education in 1993:

"Franklin Township’s journey began when Dr. Walter D. Bourke assumed the leadership for the Franklin Township Community School Corporation in 2006. In July of 2007, he assembled a new administrative educational team to address instructional challenges faced by the district."

As an indication of just how far Bourke has led Franklin Township, in 2006, the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at the IU School of Education published a report that named the corporation the fourth most underperforming school district in the state. Two years later, the Indianapolis Business Journal ranked Franklin Township 2nd for growth in Mathematics and tied for 4th place for growth in English/Language Arts. Spring 2010 ISTEP+ gains exceeded the state in every content area and at every grade level. The overall ISTEP passing rates are up by an average of 8.5 percent in mathematics and language arts. Franklin Central High School’s graduation rate has improved from 70 percent to a projected 87 percent for 2010.

Lugar and Bennett praised Franklin Township’s efforts and results in the news release. “Franklin has shown what is possible when a community comes together with intention and focus to improve school performance and better meet the needs of the students they serve,” Lugar said. “I look forward to closely following Franklin Township’s future achievements.”

“I am pleased to offer congratulations to both the students and the educators in Franklin Township for their hard work and tremendous dedication to improving academic achievement,” Bennett said. “I am particularly impressed with the way Franklin Township teachers and administrators have used data to drive decision-making and instruction. I encourage other school districts to examine Franklin Township’s practices to learn how to better use data to enhance instruction in their classrooms and maximize student success.”

Bourke’s leadership earned him recognition from his peers earlier this year. The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents chose him as the 2011 District V Superintendent of the Year, the award given for the superintendents covering districts in Central Indiana. Bourke is one of six district winners who may be chosen as Indiana Superintendent of the year. Before becoming Franklin Township superintendent, Bourke served as assistant superintendent in the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation and worked in the MSD of Lawrence Township as the director of secondary education. Bourke is a member of the IU School of Education at IUPUI Alumni Board.

Of the three Lugar Education Patriot Awards, the Senator has awarded two to IU School of Education graduates. Lugar presented the inaugural award to alumna Dr. Peggy Hinckley, superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township in Indianapolis last March. She is a 1974 graduate of IU Bloomington who earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education.