Three charters want to occupy closing IPS schools that district hopes to keep
The six planned school closures follow the IPS board’s vote to adopt the Rebuilding Stronger plan last week.
Education & Workforce Development
Articles
Steve Braun, former state commissioner of workforce development, dies at 63
Steve Braun represented Indiana House District 24, which includes parts of Boone and Hamilton counties, from 2012 to 2014 before being appointed commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development by Gov. Mike Pence.
Indiana’s unemployment rate rises to 3%
Despite the rate’s increase, the state gained 6,900 private-sector jobs last month, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported.
MacKenzie Scott makes unsolicited $3M donation to Indianapolis-based charter school
The gift came as a surprise to Paramount Schools of Excellence, said CEO Tommy Reddicks. The funds are already earmarked for the ongoing construction of two new school facilities.
Governor’s panel pushes strategic, practical workforce changes to prep state for job growth
On the group’s list of recommendations are creating an Indiana Talent Agency, more flexibility in high school diplomas, removal of barriers for child care workers, and incentives for colleges to funnel students into STEM fields.
IPS board passes Rebuilding Stronger plan to close schools, change grades
Indianapolis Public Schools will close six buildings and reconfigure elementary and middle school grades throughout the district following the school board’s approval of the plan Thursday night.
Daniels to remain as Purdue Research Foundation chairman
In the role, Daniels will continue the ongoing economic development pipeline and growth of Discovery Park District at Purdue. He will also serve as liaison to the state legislature and Indiana government as Purdue establishes an independent presence in Indianapolis.
Purdue Polytechnic’s bid to open charter high school in Pike Township rejected
One of the city’s most popular charter schools was denied a request to open a new Marion County location during a boisterous public hearing that went on for hours.
Eleven Fifty coding school in financial straits, seeking new operator
Eleven Fifty co-founder Scott Jones said the school is negotiating with bidders to take over operations.
Appeals court grants injunction against Biden’s student loan forgiveness
The future of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program remains in doubt after a federal appeals court issued an injunction preventing the government from discharging any debt while it considers a lawsuit to end the policy.
Airline reaches out to students to build talent pipeline
Indianapolis-based Republic Airways is launching a combination of recruitment, training and retention efforts, including a career fair for middle school, high school and college students.
Indiana higher education commission advances funding model amid some pushback
The proposed funding model was crafted by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, which the General Assembly tasked with researching a new formula to cover costs at Indiana’s state colleges and universities.
U.S. judge in Texas strikes down Biden loan-forgiveness plan
A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to provide millions of borrowers with up to $20,000 apiece in federal student-loan forgiveness.
Appeals court upholds law that lets charter schools buy buildings for $1
The appeals court agreed with a lower court that the school corporations are prohibited from pursuing “takings clause claims,” which can prevent private property from being taken for public use without just compensation.
Hampton tops Phair in unofficial IPS election results
Hope Hampton, a small business owner who previously worked as a dean and school counselor, received endorsements and significant campaign donations from charter-friendly groups and their affiliated political action committees.
As Rebuilding Stronger nears, some Indianapolis educators see disruption ahead
Potential stipends as high as $10,000 might not be enough to stave off a significant number of teacher departures.
Central Indiana lacks educated workforce to fill high-skilled jobs, report finds
The report from Ascend Indiana and the Marion County Workforce Investment Board is the latest indicator that employers are leaving jobs unfilled because of a talent shortage.
State plans sweeping reduction of standards for K-12 students
The Indiana Department of Education is supposed to seek input from businesses, industries, and postsecondary institutions about what characteristics students need to succeed in order to help inform the new standards.
Marian University launches $500M fundraising campaign
The school says the campaign, titled “Journey to 2030: Always Forward,” had already raised $240 million prior to the public launch last week.
PAC led by former Indy mayor gives big to pro-charter school candidates
An Indiana political action committee chaired by former Democratic mayor of Indianapolis. In turn, that pro-charter school PAC has become a large contributor to Indiana Republicans.