Charities gear up to provide school supplies, clothes
Two local organizations are trying to outfit thousands of kids before Indianapolis-area schools begin classes in August.
Education & Workforce Development
Articles
State picks first virtual charter-school operator
The Hoosier Academies will start up the state’s first virtual charter program later this month, the Indiana Department of Education announced today. The state Legislature has promised to pay 80 percent of tuition for as many as 200 students, in first through fifth grades, to enroll with Hoosier Academies but take all their courses over […]
Franklin University hires local dean
Franklin University of Ohio hired Michael Szakaly to serve as dean of its new Indianapolis campus,
the not-for-profit educator announced today. Szakaly most recently served as the business school dean at Ivy Tech Community
College’s east-central region, which includes Anderson, Marion and Muncie.
New higher-ed chief takes aim at dropout rates
Teresa Lubbers became Indiana commissioner for higher education on July 7 after serving 17 years as a Republican state
senator from Indianapolis. She says every Hoosier needs some college-level training. Lubbers got a running start on her new
job, having served as chairwoman of the senate education committee
for years. She also worked frequently at the commission’s downtown offices during May and June—after her predecessor
had
left but before the Legislature returned for a special session to pass a budget. Her new staff dubbed her SenComm.
New Franklin College office to help not-for-profits recruit volunteers
Franklin College has a new office that helps Johnson County not-for-profits develop Web sites and recruit volunteers. The
Nonprofit Resource Center was sparked in part by the lack of volunteer coordination during the summer floods of
2008.
State unveils $31M tuition-funding program
Gov. Mitch Daniels failed to get the legislature to bite on his plan to lease out the Hoosier
Lottery in order to pay for two-year college scholarships. So he’s now he’s using $31 million in federal stimulus funds
to create a similar program for about 9,000 Hoosiers.
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library on pace for record year
A growing number of Indianapolis residents are making the most of their public library system. The Indianapolis-Marion
County Public Library system says it’s on pace for a record year in terms of use by patrons and items circulated.
Dueling Franklins iron out trademark dispute
Indiana-based Franklin College and Ohio-based Franklin University resolved their legal case last night, with Franklin University
agreeing to take specific steps in its advertisements to distinguish itself from Franklin College.
Hoosier Academies leads chase for virtual charter schools
Hoosier Academies is the leading candidate to operate a controversial virtual charter school pilot program authorized last
month by the Legislature.
State law aims to attract doctors to areas in need of care
A state law that went into effect July 1 attempts to attract young physicians and mental health practitioners to underserved
areas by forgiving part of their student loans. But Indiana’s budget woes prevented lawmakers from allocating funds
to support the program.
EDITORIAL: School funding has fatal flaws
A state budget was passed June 30, but it’s balanced on the backs of poor children. Legislators
deserve praise for at least slightly increasing overall education funding, but because of a flawed funding
formula, urban districts such as Indianapolis Public Schools actually will lose money in the next two
years.
Florida system considering Ivy Tech president for leadership post
Ivy Tech Community College President Tom Snyder is one of 13 candidates being considered for the position of chancellor of
the State University System of Florida.
WILLIAMS: IPS needs leadership overhaul
The challenges facing Indianapolis Public Schools are daunting. The socioeconomic level of its students and their families,
fiscal constraints, and a necessary heightened focus on security issues are just a few, but all contribute to high dropout
rates, low academic achievement, achievement gaps between middle-class and low-income children and declining enrollment.
Franklin College sues like-named competitor over marketing push
Franklin College filed a lawsuit today alleging trademark infringement against Ohio-based Franklin
University, which will open a campus in Castleton this fall. The liberal arts college south of Indianapolis
said the newcomer’s marketing blitz has been too close to Franklin College’s own branding.
KELLER: The party’s over for IU Law grads as stapped firms trim opportunities
Fledgling attorneys face a legal industry in defensive mode, resulting in drooping employment figures.
Despite what you might think, lawyers are compartatively scarce in Indiana
Only North and South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin have smaller proportions of lawyers within their working populations.
Experts point to the state’s shrinking base of corporate HQs, the exodus of law school graduates, and a less litigious climate
overall.
Below-average test scores raise questions about elementary teachers, colleges
Students going into and out of Indiana’s teacher education programs tend to score below average on standardized test scores.
And national data indicate the gap is entirely attributable to those headed into elementary education.
KATTERJOHN: Leaders in education primed for success
There’s reason to believe serious progress is coming, due to the people in leadership positions for the state in three key
areas: the Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education and Ivy Tech Community College.
Law grants teachers immunity from civil suits
Educators widely support a new state law that gives teachers immunity from civil lawsuits for trying to discipline students.
But opponents of corporal punishment are giving it a frosty reception, fearing Indiana students could be subjected to more
paddling without legal recourse.
Some laid-off workers qualify for lucrative benefits
A little-known federal program provides support for retraining to workers whose employers were hurt by foreign trade. The
Trade Adjustment Assistance Act also offers income replacement and health insurance benefits.