The Education Minister Peter Collier has described a program which allows state schools to become Independent Public Schools as an overwhelming success.

The program gives the principal, teachers and parents a greater say in how their school is run.

Mr Collier said Independent Public Schools are given far greater responsibility and are allowed to hire their own teachers.

He said the schools were also given greater control of their budget and could approve spending on a range of items including interstate travel for staff.

Mr Collier said 255 state schools have joined the program since it started three years ago.

Another 245 schools have indicated they want to join the scheme by 2015.