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.
Education & Workforce Development
Articles
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.
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.
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.