These IPS school buildings set for upgrades if $410M capital referendum passes
If approved by voters, the referendum will authorize the district to issue bonds, which will yield an estimated $410 million for construction projects.
Education & Workforce Development
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Indiana Wesleyan acquires Eleven Fifty’s assets, plans to continue operating coding school
Marion-based Indiana Wesleyan University said it plans to continue operating Eleven Fifty Academy as a not-for-profit organization, with new classes beginning early next year.
Indiana DOE seeks to double funding for English learners
Indiana’s English learner population has increased by 52% over the last five years.
Perry Township Schools superintendent announces retirement
The announcement early Tuesday came a day after the school board adopted his recommendation to end elementary school choice in a controversial vote that spurred parent opposition.
Perry Township eliminates school choice for elementary students
The Perry Township school board voted on Monday to end school choice for elementary students effective next school year to help alleviate a severe bus driver shortage, despite significant opposition from parents.
Higher ed commission wants $5M to promote Indiana colleges, universities
Chris Lowery, the state’s higher education commissioner, said he wants the money to launch a grassroots, statewide campaign to “promote the value of higher education to individuals and Indiana’s economy.”
Indiana Wesleyan in negotiations with troubled Eleven Fifty Academy
The negotiations with Eleven Fifty Academy include a potential acquisition of the coding school’s programs but are broader than that, an Indiana Wesleyan spokesperson said.
State strikes affordable tuition deal with Ivy Tech for public employees
State employees can go back to school and pay no upfront costs in a new deal with Ivy Tech Community College, announced Thursday.
Some Indiana high school students have new paths to graduation
The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved three locally created graduation tracks at two school districts and one adult learning center.
More details released about Indiana’s soon-to-launch education dashboard
Once complete, the new dashboard is expected to be used by lawmakers and education officials to change the state’s approach to K-12 curriculum and school accountability evaluations.
Perry Township parents oppose bus driver plan that reduces school choice
Parents and their children argued in a public comment session on Monday that it would be better for the district to improve driver-recruitment efforts rather than force hundreds of students to attend a new school next year.
IPS board moves to put $410M for capital upgrades on ballot
Dozens of charter school parents and students packed the board room before the vote and called on the board to share more of the referendum money.
New program to pay for teachers to earn license to teach English language learners
The Indiana Teacher of English Language Learners, or I-TELL, program will pay for tuition and fees for current educators to earn the additional licensure they need to become teachers of record for students who are learning English.
Indianapolis charter schools seek bigger share of proposed $824M in new taxes
Leaders from 52 charter schools argued that the annual amount from the tax proposal IPS has offered to share with its innovation network charters would still leave a big funding gap between charter students and those in the district’s traditional public schools.
IU plans science and tech corridor in Indianapolis to boost STEM degrees
The IU SciTech corridor will begin at the corner of Michigan and West streets, one of the main entrances to the downtown campus and house both IU and Purdue programs, President Pamela Whitten told the university’s board Friday.
Supreme Court keeps student-loan cancellation plan blocked for now
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to take up the case in late winter. The court’s decision to hear arguments relatively quickly means it is likely to determine whether the widespread loan cancellations are legal by late June.
Biden’s bid to restore student-debt relief rejected by another court
Wednesday’s ruling by a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based court is the latest blow to a plan that has been shadowed by legal doubt since President Joe Biden announced it in August.
Indiana Chamber: Repairs needed for Indiana’s ‘leaking’ workforce pipeline
Indiana continually lags its peers in terms of workforce even as it tops the list in overall business climate. That unqualified workforce means that Indiana has twice as many open jobs as it does job seekers, according to a chamber report.
Indiana lawmakers, teacher unions outline education priorities for General Assembly
Indiana’s top Republican lawmakers said they plan to prioritize school choice and enact a plan to “reinvent” high school education during the next legislative session. Teacher unions have other priorities.
Three education issues to watch in 2023 legislative session
GOP leaders essentially stayed mum about whether they’ll take another crack at last year’s unsuccessful curriculum bill that sought to restrict what teachers could say about race and racism.