Indiana banking on appeal of free one-year college certificates
In Indiana, people who don’t have college degrees can get the training to become welders, electricians, medical assistants, web programmers, or truck drivers—for free.
Stephanie Wang, Chalkbeat Indiana
Articles
Indianapolis’ newest child care center opens inside Manual High School
The program is part of a vision to turn what was once one of the lowest performing schools in Indiana into an educational hub for all ages, from babies to adults pursuing workforce certificates.
Indiana high school teacher on mission to inspire girls to take her shop class
Before becoming a teacher, Kim Rosenbaum worked for 14 years as a welder in machine shops—experiences that she thinks make her a better teacher.
Purdue Poly seeks deal to use Broad Ripple High School for one year
Indianapolis Public Schools is considering letting Purdue Polytechnic High School North temporarily use part of the building while the charter school’s permanent home is under construction.
IPS likely to close Joyce Kilmer School 69 after losing innovation charter partner
Kindezi Academy, the charter operator that revamped the school in 2016, announced Friday that it would end its partnership with IPS and shut down operations in June due to low student outcomes and facility issues.
Crackdown on incentives proposed after Indiana virtual school controversy
Indiana lawmakers want to tighten restrictions on schools offering incentives to attract students, after an unusual virtual program advertised a $1,700 stipend for school supplies, music lessons and Netflix subscriptions.
Indiana pre-K students see academic benefits through fourth grade, study shows
A long-term study of the state’s On My Way Pre-K program found its students were better prepared for kindergarten and scored slightly higher on ILEARN than children from similar low-income backgrounds.
Proposed Indiana law could unlock millions in college financial aid
The Senate Education and Career Development Committee unanimously advanced a proposal Wednesday to require all high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA.
IPS offers teacher apprenticeship, principal residency to attract educators of color
Like many other school districts, IPS wants to diversify its teaching staff to be more representative of the students they serve.
Indianapolis schools get boost from $30M federal neighborhood grant
Announced Tuesday, the $30 million Promise Neighborhood grant will boost local efforts in the Near Eastside and Martindale-Brightwood communities to address poverty and improve education and community support systems.
Seven of 10 IPS staffers report receiving COVID vaccinations
The vaccination rate is higher among teachers and principals—more than 80%—and lower among classified staff such as custodians and food service workers, said Superintendent Aleesia Johnson.
IPS’ plan to share tax funds with charters draws legal question
The IPS board is scheduled to vote Thursday on a plan to give $5 million per year to charter partners from the district’s 2018 operating referendum.
IPS could share $5M in referendum funds with innovation schools
Responding to urging from families and other advocates, Indianapolis Public Schools is proposing to share $5 million per year from a recent tax measure with its charter school partners.
Indianapolis Public Schools to raise starting salary for teachers to $50,400
The hike is part of a two-year union contract approved Thursday that will give an average 3% raise for teachers this school year and another 3% next year.
IPS enrollment rises as missing kindergartners return
Enrollment trends will drive crucial upcoming decisions on the future of the district, such as considering potential school closures, evaluating choice programs, and adding charter school partnerships.
For first time, private virtual schools seek to accept vouchers in Indiana
The Indiana State Board of Education will consider Wednesday whether to accredit the schools, which would pave the way for them to participate in the state’s expanding voucher program.
Early ILEARN results show expected academic declines from the pandemic
Because of state action earlier this year and federal waivers approved this week. However, poor results won’t affect accountability measurements such as school A-F grades, teacher evaluations, or identifying low-performing schools for intervention.
‘Deceived’: Indianapolis charter school pitch left out lawsuits, touted questionable college degrees
A Chalkbeat investigation found that the rosy charter pitch for Stemnasium Science Math Engineering Middle School painted over troubling details—lawsuits, financial troubles, questionable academic credentials—that escaped notice by city charter officials and The Mind Trust.
How Indiana has cut funding for students in poverty, hurting urban schools
In recent years, Indiana lawmakers have prioritized across-the-board increases for schools over support for disadvantaged students, favoring budget strategies that buoy more affluent districts while higher-poverty schools say they’re left without enough resources to serve disadvantaged students.
Complaints prompt federal probe into special education in Indiana during pandemic
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened the investigation this week because of multiple complaints filed with the state that schools’ virtual learning plans did not include individualized services for students with disabilities.