States dealing with rampant school absenteeism, but Indiana doing better than most
Roughly one in four students in the 2022-23 school year remained chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year.
Education & Workforce Development
Articles
Lilly Endowment offering up to $600M in competitive grants for Marion County K-12 schools
The Indianapolis-based philanthropic foundation said Thursday that more than 80 public, private and charter school districts and networks representing more than 300 schools in Marion County are eligible to apply for grants.
Latest IREAD scores show slight gains, but 14K third graders still behind
Data from the Indiana Department of Education shows 82.5% out of the roughly 82,000 third graders at public and private schools in Indiana passed the 2024 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination, also called the IREAD test.
Indiana officials make major updates to high school diploma plan, earning higher ed support
The announcement follows waves of criticism from Hoosier teachers, parents and students over earlier diploma proposals that would broadly exclude certain course requirements, like those in history, foreign language and fine arts.
‘Stranger Things’ star to teach acting, singing classes in Indianapolis
Gaten Matarazzo, known for his portrayal of brainy adolescent Dustin Henderson, will teach Aug. 16 on the campus of Butler University.
Democratic governor nominee blasts GOP-led diploma redesign
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick on Monday denounced an ongoing high school diploma redesign as “dismantling” educational rigor in favor of filling positions at Hoosier companies facing worker shortages.
Former college baseball player sues NCAA, power conferences over scholarship limits
The federal antitrust cases was filed this week by former TCU baseball player Riley Cornelio and seeks class-action status for college baseball and hockey players.
New bar exam coming to Indiana in 2028
The new test, called the NextGen bar exam, will replace the Uniform Bar Examination, which Indiana has used since 2021 to admit attorneys to practice in its courts.
Push for microchips could reshape Indiana’s economy
Indiana’s economic development conversations are becoming increasingly centered on a high-tech manufacturing industry in which few current Hoosier workers have experience: semiconductors.
Indiana AG, comptroller want proof of no funds supporting IU’s Kinsey Institute
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla requested the university share how it “ceased utilizing Hoosier taxpayer dollars to fund the Institute” and “the measures employed to ensure compliance with the law going forward.”
Purdue, IU weigh in on the state’s new high school diplomas
Purdue University says the proposed new diplomas would not meet admission requirements, while Indiana University supports a special seal for college-bound students.
Purdue president: Proposed Indiana high school diplomas won’t meet admission requirements
The letter from the leader of one of the state’s flagship research universities comes as the Indiana Department of Education seeks revisions to its initial plan for diplomas.
IPS says it’s ready for state requirement to offer college credit, career training
Educators around the state have raised concerns that schools will not be able to find the staff, transportation, and workforce partners needed to implement the changes.
Group sues IU over scholarships, claiming racial discrimination
A group that touts itself as devoted to the fair treatment of all persons without regard to race or ethnicity has filed a civil rights complaint against Indiana University over what it describes as the university’s offering of “discriminatory” scholarships.
IPS cuts back tutoring as federal COVID aid expires
Tutoring programs last year appeared to spur academic gains for Indianapolis Public Schools, but the district is scaling them down as funding ends.
School for the Blind names former board chair as superintendent
James Michaels, a longtime leader at Bosma Enterprises, will succeed James Durst, who is retiring Sept. 30 after 35 years in the position.
Purdue gives students leg up in chip-making through summer program
An intensive, eight-week training program is devoted to the understanding of semiconductors, the crystalline solids that conduct electricity and power computer microchips.
IU releases review of April’s campus protest activity and enforcement
Almost three months after police arrested 57 protesters at a pro-Palestine encampment at Indiana University-Bloomington, an independent review found the IU’s inconsistent enforcement of its own policies created “confusion and frustration.”
New year, new rules as Indiana students start getting back to school
With a new school year comes new rules about cell phones in classrooms, a new pilot program for shorter but more frequent state testing, and a new policy on holding back students who can’t read based on third grade reading exams.
Federal appeals court blocks remainder of Biden’s student loan relief plan
The ruling comes the same day that the Biden administration announced another round of student loan relief, this time totaling $1.2 billion in forgiveness for roughly 35,000 borrowers who are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.