Fall enrollment flat at Indiana public colleges, but long-term trend a concern
In the last five years, the state’s public higher education institutions have seen a 12.1% dip in undergraduates, equal to 27,000 fewer students.
Education & Workforce Development
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Christiana Ochoa selected as new dean of IU Maurer law school
IU Maurer announced longtime faculty member Christiana Ochoa as the 17th dean in the law school’s history on Thursday. She is the first person of color and the second woman to be named dean in IU Maurer’s history.
Anderson School Corp. bookkeeper charged with embezzling nearly $1M
Rather than submitting legitimate vendor expenses, Carla Burke allegedly issued 312 checks to herself totaling $976,773. Investigators said she used the stolen funds for her own personal expenditures, including gambling at several casinos.
ACT test scores drop to lowest in 30 years in pandemic slide
An increasing number of high school students failed to meet any of the subject-area benchmarks set by the ACT—showing a decline in preparedness for college-level coursework.
IPS could seek property-tax referendum for ‘Rebuilding Stronger’ overhaul plan
District leaders have so far declined to discuss the cost of the significant proposal or how they will fund plans that include constructing two new elementary school buildings and improving 14 school facilities.
Indiana improved college completion rate still lacking, officials say
A report released last week by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education emphasized the completion rate “is not nearly robust enough” to provide Indiana’s economy with the skilled talent it needs.
Purdue Polytechnic seeks deal to stay permanently in former IPS high school
The school’s change in plans comes as IPS prepares for a multitude of changes under its Rebuilding Stronger plan, which would close seven schools and reconfigure grade levels throughout the district.
Purdue trustees approve new president’s contract, Daniels’ at-risk pay
Additionally, Purdue University said most students on the West Lafayette campus will not see an increase in room and board rates for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Candidates for IPS school board would vote no on Rebuilding Stronger
The four candidates for three seats in the November election said Wednesday they haven’t seen enough information about the plan to support it and also expressed concern about the level of parent input.
New funding source makes Xtern internship program more affordable for startups
A $300,000 investment from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will cover half the cost of wages and program fees for small startups who want to participate in TechPoint’s Xtern summer internship program.
Tutoring grants of up to $1,000 for Indiana students to roll out Oct. 15
The tutoring program, first created by House Enrolled Act 1251 in the spring and funded through federal relief dollars, is Indiana’s take on using tutoring to make up for the academic losses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ivy Tech to launch Hamilton County nursing school in 2023
The Hamilton County campus will admit 20 nursing students for the spring semester and 20 more students for the fall semester. Enrollment increases are expected in future years.
Marion County school board elections feature 47 candidates seeking 29 positions
Of the 47 candidates, 11 are running unopposed. That includes nine incumbents: four in Wayne, three in Beech Grove, one in Franklin Township Community Schools, and one in the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township.
IPS planning to end agreements with two innovation schools
If their innovation agreements end, Urban Act and Super School 19 would be the third and fourth schools to be removed from the innovation network by the district since the creation of such schools under state law in 2014.
Q&A with a Rose-Hulman professor helping girls embrace math
Tracy Weyand organized a student chapter of the American Association for Women in Mathematics at the Terre Haute university and hosts a day on campus for high school students.
Indianapolis teachers union voices concerns over IPS reorganization
The Indianapolis Education Association is pushing Indianapolis Public Schools for more transparency around how it will relocate staff under the district’s Rebuilding Stronger reorganization.
Feds award $11M for Purdue-led microelectronics workforce effort
The funding will allow for a five-year extension a public-private-academic partnership of 17 universities and 34 partners within the defense industry and government.
Libertarian group sues to block student debt cancellation
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Indiana, one of several states that plan to tax any student debt canceled by President Biden’s plan.
CBO: White House plan to cancel student loan debt costs $400 billion
The new cost estimate will add fresh fuel to the debate over President Joe Biden’s decision to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible borrowers.
Study: Teacher licensing exams shrink Indiana’s pool of Black, Hispanic teachers
Indiana’s ubiquitous teacher licensing exam could be one reason behind the state’s shortage of teachers—especially Black and Hispanic teachers, according to a new report from Indiana University.