Indiana private school enrollment hits record as voucher use climbs
The state education department approved more than 69,000 Choice Scholarship applications during the first round of the program this school year.
Education & Workforce Development
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State legislation calls for restricting charter authorizing powers in Marion County
Under the legislation pitched by Democratic state Sen. Andrea Hunley, a former Indianapolis Public Schools principal, only two authorizers would be allowed to approve charter schools in the county.
Indiana lawmakers set to tackle several major education topics
Although Indiana lawmakers maintain the 2024 legislative session will be quicker, quieter and “noncontroversial,” there’s no shortage of critical—even touchy—education-related topics expected to be prioritized in the coming months.
Charter authorizer rejects bid from Indianapolis school with rocky academic, attendance history
The Genius School in Indianapolis has lost its bid for a charter from a second authorizer.
Nine national education stories that defined 2023
School communities are desperately trying to reduce chronically absent students, struggling with how to spend waning federal COVID relief dollars, implementing new “science of reading” laws, and waffling on how ChatGPT should (or should not) be a part of classrooms.
Auto dealer creates program targeting technician shortage
The National Automobile Dealers Association says the automotive and truck retail industry needs to replace nearly 76,000 techs annually to keep up with retirements and new job demand.
Ascend Indiana names new CEO
Brad Rhorer, currently chief operating officer and chief talent officer for Conexus Indiana, will become the next president and CEO of Ascend Indiana, a talent and workforce development initiative.
Why aren’t Hoosier kids showing up to school—and how can Indiana lawmakers help?
Legislators’ efforts to improve student literacy and career readiness could end up fruitless if the state can’t solve another issue plaguing schools: Hoosier kids aren’t showing up to the classroom.
IPS moves to lease School 102 to not-for-profit amid ongoing litigation
Banned from selling any of its closed school buildings through a court order, Indianapolis Public Schools will instead lease Francis Bellamy School 102 to a local not-for-profit that serves youth.
Lilly Endowment awards $146M in grants to 6 Indiana schools for development projects
The grants range from $5.8 million to $35 million each, with Ball State University in Muncie landing the largest grant.
Lilly Endowment awards $21.5M in grants to boost instruction of reading
The recipient colleges and universities in Indiana will help new teachers strengthen their use of methods aligned with the Science of Reading, a vast body of research related to how children learn to read.
Indianapolis schools struggle with five-year city high in youth homicides
While total homicides in Indianapolis are down this year by over 20% from the record set in 2021, the number of homicides in the 19 and under age group has reached its highest mark since 2018.
Boilermaker Alliance names growth strategist Neff as new CEO
The not-for-profit organization that helps Purdue University student-athletes use their name, image and likeness to boost charitable organizations has a new leader.
Purdue board OKs $168M biz school construction, 13th straight tuition freeze
The project will double the size of the current business school at Purdue University, which hasn’t had a tuition hike since 2012.
Purdue wins $32.5M in patent-infringement lawsuit
A jury found STMicroelectronics infringed on a Purdue patent by making and selling products for a technology related to semiconductor devices used in high-voltage power applications.
Thousands of Indiana students advance to 4th grade without reading skills, despite state policy
About 96% of students who did not pass the state reading test moved to fourth grade over the last decade, according to a presentation at the State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.
Fairbanks Foundation launches $10M second phase of College Matters initiative
The second phase will provide funding for up to six public high schools in Marion County to develop their own plans to get more students into college.
University of Notre Dame names new president
The Rev. Robert A. Dowd will be the next president of the University of Notre Dame, succeeding current President John Jenkins.
UPDATE: IU hires James Madison’s Cignetti as new football coach
Curt Cignetti, 62, has spent the past five seasons at James Madison University, which plays in the Sun Belt Conference.
One-third of Indy charter schools have closed since 2001. Is weak oversight a problem?
While Indianapolis has averaged more than one charter closure per year, it’s not necessarily clear that its closure rate of roughly 34% is a major outlier.