Indiana offers public schools $61M in remote learning grants
Indiana’s public schools can apply for funding to improve their remote learning capabilities during the coronavirus pandemic through the grant program, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday.
Education & Workforce Development
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Nearly $1M for hand sanitizer: Local leaders size up costs of reopening schools
Two Indianapolis school leaders warned Thursday that the costs to reopen schools in the fall will likely exceed what their districts received in federal aid to pay for additional safety precautions against the coronavirus.
NCAA expands ban, joins SEC in targeting Confederate flag
The NCAA on Friday expanded its policy banning states with prominent Confederate symbols from hosting its sponsored events, one day after the Southeastern Conference made a similar declaration.
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to help NCAA make uniform compensation changes
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s bill would protect the NCAA from being challenged in court if the association changes its rules to allow athletes to earn money for endorsement deals and personal appearances.
Indiana’s K-12 schools won’t face state funding cuts, Holcomb says
Gov. Eric Holcomb and state lawmakers have agreed to move forward with the current budget, he said during a scheduled video conference. That includes maintaining the planned $183 million increase in school funding.
New program aims to train more black men to become Indianapolis preschool teachers
Organizers hope to address the barriers that discourage men of color from working as preschool teachers, including a lack of representation in preschool classrooms and the misconception that teaching preschool is like a babysitting job.
Health commissioner huddles with school leaders on reopening advice
Dr. Kristina Box on Tuesday clarified the state’s guidelines for reopening schools, which some school leaders have criticized for putting too much responsibility on individual districts.
Children only half as likely to get infected by coronavirus, study finds
The findings could influence policymakers who are facing tough decisions about when and how to reopen schools and daycare centers.
KIDS: Pandemic may drive some parents to opt for home-schooling this fall—if they can afford it
The coronavirus pandemic, which shut down most of the nation’s schools in March, has provided parents who might have never considered home-schooling with a test drive of what it’s like to have the kids learning at home.
Businesses, colleges plead with Trump to preserve work visas
President Trump imposed a 60-day pause on visas for foreigners seeking permanent residency on April 22, but the order included a long list of exemptions.
Longtime Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke dies at 68
Burke, the longest serving athletic director in Purdue University history, died at his home Monday after battling a rare disease for the past year.
State cuts higher education funding by $103M to help deal with worsening budget
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration continues to make budget cuts as the state prepares for revenue collections possibly being $2 billion lower than expected by the end of the fiscal year.
Student housing firms see upside to uncertainty over colleges’ return
With students expected to return to most Indiana college campuses this fall, housing management firms are anticipating a boost to their bottom lines and a renewed interest in off-campus living.
Indianapolis officials wait to green-light school reopenings
Marion County Public Health Department Director Virginia Caine said she is “very optimistic” that schools will be able to reopen, and she aims to have a definitive answer by July 15.
Amid pandemic, scores of U.S. Catholic schools face closure
Catholic schools have faced tough times for years, but the pace of closures is accelerating dramatically amid economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Mid-American Conference schools create separate conference for esports
The new varsity team at Ball State, where about 500 people participate in the esports club, will help bring esports experiences into education for digital sports production, business, animation and other fields.
Indiana schools to have flexibility when reopening, McCormick says
The reentry plan provided by the state is broad and non-mandatory, meaning it will be up to school districts to decide whether students and faculty would have to undergo health screenings, wear masks and adhere to social distancing best practices.
Butler University appoints interim dean for business school
Fomer Dean Steve Sandifird in March accepted a new job as Peoria, Illinois-based Bradley University’s president. His contract there begins next week.
Indiana’s fall reopening guidance has schools worried about costs
Among the top and most costly challenges for districts will be restructuring operations to adhere to social-distancing protocols, transporting students, and hiring the additional staff to ramp up cleaning efforts.
Trump administration still garnishing wages of student loan borrowers during pandemic
The Trump administration is fighting a class-action lawsuit for continuing to garnish the wages of defaulted borrowers in violation of a federal order.