Senate Democrats pushing for more oversight for virtual schools
State lawmakers say it’s not too late to enact legislative “guardrails” that could help prevent virtual schools from spending tax dollars in the future without accountability.
Charter Schools
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Charter operator spending $10M to relocate elementary school to former warehouse
Paramount Schools of Excellence bought the 55,000-square-foot building in the Cottage Home neighborhood for about $3.2 million.
Indiana ends takeover, returning 3 schools to IPS
Nearly eight years after Indiana seized three struggling campuses from Indianapolis Public Schools, the State Board of Education voted Wednesday to hand the schools back, bringing to a close a turnaround experiment that sparked enduring change in the state’s largest district.
After rejection, Charter Schools USA could shop for charters for local turnaround schools
A month after its bid for charters was rejected by a state authorizer, a not-for-profit with ties to Charter Schools USA appears to be looking for another backer—raising concerns that Indiana law makes it too easy to shop around for a friendly overseer.
Town saw promise in virtual charter schools, but then things unraveled
The downfall of Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy placed Daleville Community Schools under a microscope.
Indianapolis Public Schools poised to renew two innovation school agreements
Five years into Indianapolis Public Schools’ unconventional partnerships with charter operators, the district appears likely to renew its first contracts amid some positive initial results.
Charter Schools USA loses charter bid, giving IPS a shot at reclaiming takeover schools
The Indiana Charter School Board denied charters Friday for three Indianapolis turnaround schools—a stunning move that could spell the end to the Florida-based Charter Schools USA’s operations in Indianapolis.
IPS finds a powerful charter ally in its 11th hour bid to win back takeover schools
Christel House Academy, a politically influential charter network, wants to relocate its south-side school to Manual High School if oversight of that campus is returned to Indianapolis Public Schools.
Complexity of Indiana school funding complicates teacher pay debate
Top Republicans touted “record investment” in school spending in defending themselves as thousands of teachers turned out for a Statehouse rally this past week calling for a bigger boost in education funding. But it’s not that simple.
In messy breakup, IPS cuts ties with Charter Schools USA
The Indianapolis Public Schools board decision comes just weeks before the Indiana Charter Schools Board is set to decide whether to grant charters to CSUSA to continue running Donnan and two other Indianapolis campuses—Howe and Manual high schools—that were also taken over by the state.
10 new schools seeking innovation partnerships with IPS
Potential partners include one of the city’s earliest charter networks, a campus with a mindfulness focus, and a school for teens who have struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.
Former study-abroad program to relaunch as Indianapolis high school
Thrival Academy, a program that took a year-long “pause” to overhaul its approach—will reopen as a four-year high school with a first-year enrollment of about 75 ninth graders who will prepare to study abroad as juniors.
A new Indianapolis teacher residency focuses on practice over theory
The Relay Graduate School of Education opened a campus in Indianapolis this year and is training its first class of 10 students, with plans to expand locally in the coming years.
Charter school for teens in recovery seeks to relocate, join forces with IPS
Hope Academy, which opened in 2006 inside the Fairbanks Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center in Lawrence Township, aims to move closer to downtown and develop stronger partnerships with Marion County school districts.
Turning boys into men one haircut at a time
During a weekly barbershop session Vice Principal Fred Yeakey holds at Providence Cristo Rey High School, the educator works to “groom the outer man while guiding the inner man,” as he puts it.
Board members quit after two embattled Indiana virtual schools lose charters
With the board’s dissolution, it’s unclear who remains responsible for Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy.
Teachers who kept working at failing virtual schools won’t get a last paycheck
The missing paychecks for 38 teachers and a handful of administrators come as the state claims the schools collected $47 million more than they should have after over-reporting enrollment.
Federal investigators seek student records, spending details at Indiana virtual schools
Investigators want to know who got paid with the millions of public funds that flowed to Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy.
Two Indiana virtual schools ask for more money, essentially shut down
The attorney for two scandal-plagued virtual charter schools appeared before an authorizing board Monday night and described the schools as effectively closed.
Mind Trust lands $4.6M grant from Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation was created by Walmart founder Sam Walton and his wife, Helen. The group awarded more than $595 million in education-related grants in 2018 alone.