Indiana schools already preparing for possible second wave of virus
A growing number of Indiana educators are beginning to prepare for remote instruction to go into the next academic year.
Emma Kate Fittes, Chalkbeat Indiana
Articles
After Indiana teachers fought for better pay, coronavirus could mean cutbacks instead
The most pressing education issue in Indiana has quickly shifted from increasing teacher salaries to mitigating how much progress students will lose with school buildings shut down through the end of the academic year.
Federal rescue money for Indiana schools won’t go far, state superintendent says
Indiana will receive $215 million of the $13.5 billion that the federal government is handing out to states for schools as part of the COVID-19 rescue package.
Indiana orders schools closed until May 1, cancels standardized tests
All Indiana schools will close through May 1, and all state standardized tests are canceled in response to the quickly spreading coronavirus, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced on Thursday. He also said it’s possible that the closures could be extended through the end of the school year. “As we get near to May 1, we may […]
State teachers getting paid during closures; other school employees face uncertainty
It’s up to each district to decide whether to pay hourly workers—including bus drivers, custodians, food service employees and paraprofessionals—who are typically paid only for days when students are present.
Indiana releases A-F grades for schools, districts in quiet rollout
Without an exemption approved last month, most schools would have received a D or an F. That would have affected teacher’s evaluations, and therefore pay, and put many schools on the path to state intervention.
Lawmakers scrap plan to let schools count high school equivalency as diploma
The pilot would have allowed seniors behind on credits to be counted as graduates in Indiana if they pass a high school equivalency exam and take steps toward career training.
State lawmakers send school ‘hold harmless’ bill to governor
Schools won’t be punished for low test scores earned during the first two years of the state’s new ILEARN test—a move by state lawmakers Monday that will render schools’ 2019 and 2020 state grades essentially meaningless.
Indiana has new tool to give parents data about schools
Users of the newly launched INview will have more immediate access to how much schools and districts are spending per student, as well as how that figure compares to the state average and other schools with similar demographics.
How shifting political tides ended Indiana’s ambitious school takeover effort
The State Board of Education’s decision to end the takeover confirmed the waning enthusiasm in Indiana for state oversight of failing schools. But it also revealed how much Indianapolis Public Schools has transformed in recent years.
Five things to watch for in wake of Red For Ed teacher rally
It remains to be seen whether this week’s Red for Ed rally at the Indiana Statehouse will lead to policy changes sought by teachers, but here are five things that could result in the near future.
Indiana lawmakers signal openness to some—but not all—teacher demands before rally
The thousands of teachers descending on the state capitol Tuesday face an uphill battle when it comes to getting elected officials to raise their salaries. But top lawmakers appear open to changes on other issues.
Indiana’s Red for Ed rally isn’t a strike, but it’s closing schools anyway
Tuesday’s fast-growing rally is expected to cancel school for half of the state’s students while as many as 12,000 teachers descend on the Indiana Statehouse to make a list of demands.
Dozens of Indiana districts cancel classes for teachers to rally for higher pay
So many teachers asked to take Nov. 19 off to rally at the Indiana Statehouse for higher pay that nearly 30 districts across the state have canceled school or scheduled e-learning days.
National report card like Indiana’s—both show students falling behind
Amid concerns over low scores on Indiana’s new standardized test, ILEARN, new results from a national exam tell a similar story about student performance.
Indiana lawmakers look for better ways to identify students living in poverty
The Indiana General Assembly’s interim study committee on tax and fiscal policy asked for ideas from the public and heard over two hours of testimony on Tuesday.
Ten Indiana school districts set to ask voters to approve tax increases
Here’s a roundup of all of the state school districts that will put a tax increase on the ballot in November, including a couple of school districts with both construction and operational referendums.
Indiana Democrat pitches teacher-pay plan, but it could be hard sell
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, put forward a plan this week to raise teachers’ salaries. Among his proposals: give school districts incentives to set minimum pay at $40,000, and freeze corporate tax rates to pay for it.
Indiana education board OKs, then reverses ‘nuclear’ change in school grades
Indiana’s State Board of Education on Wednesday passed a major change to how it grades schools—and then, at the very same meeting, voted to reverse its own decision.
Consolidation up for consideration for state education agencies
On Tuesday, an interim committee of lawmakers discussed potentially consolidating the state board of education, governor’s workforce cabinet, and Commission for Higher Education.