Indiana’s college-going rate drops again
The figures reflect concerns expressed by state leaders about Indiana’s declining college-going culture, especially as the state shifts focus toward career credentials and work-based learning.
Education & Workforce Development
Articles
Far beyond Harvard, conservative efforts to reshape higher education are gaining steam
Officials in states including Indiana, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Iowa and Idaho increasingly have focused on university governance—rules for who picks university presidents and boards and how much control they exert over curriculums and faculty tenure.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, Horizon House announce merger
Both Indianapolis nonprofits share the similar mission of helping people who face barriers to becoming economically self-sufficient.
Jay Hess, longtime IU School of Medicine dean, to leave position
The IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, and Hess is one of the longest-serving medical school deans in the country.
Education Department to release some frozen grants supporting after-school and summer programs
The release of $1.3 billion in previously withheld grant money for after-school programs comes after 10 Republican senators sent a letter imploring the Trump administration to allow frozen education money to be sent to states.
Indiana’s universal school voucher system spotlighted at conservative policy conference
Hoosier House Speaker Todd Huston was among key panelists on Wednesday’s “school choice” education panel.
Indiana education officials to ask for federal funding as lump sum with fewer requirements
The money would be available to more schools to use with fewer rules about where the money would go.
Indiana ILEARN scores show continued growth in math, but reading levels stay flat
Data released by Indiana Department of Education reported 31.2% of Hoosier students passed both the math and ELA sections of ILEARN.
IPS launching multimillion-dollar effort to boost STEM pathway
The Destination 2032 initiative—powered by a $5.5 million grant from the Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation—will fund a STEM Scholars program and STEM Future Centers.
Marion County superintendents support proposal to extend curfew after recent shootings
The City-County Council is weighing a longer curfew after recent shooting fatalities of teens in downtown Indianapolis.
State budget cuts impact Indiana alternative schools
Amid state budget troubles, alternative schools lost more than $4 million in funding.
Marian University begins work on $137M overhaul of former hospital campus
The project in the recently formed Riverside Education Innovation District centers on the renovation of the Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, which closed in 2020.
States in ‘triage mode’ over $6B in withheld K-12 funding
School systems are unable to draw down funding, jeopardizing summer programs, hiring and early-year planning for the 2025–26 school year. Indiana stands to lose out on about $100 million.
Marion County preschool costs set to rise as state cuts funding
At least seven public school districts in the Indianapolis area are raising the cost of preschool for the coming year, as the state makes cuts to its state preschool voucher program, On My Way Pre-K.
Indiana embracing Trump’s call to increase apprenticeship
Education and labor experts note that making high school apprenticeships commonplace won’t be simple.
IPS denies Cold Spring’s bid to become charter school, cites ‘guiding principles’
The K-8 Cold Spring School, which is known for its competitive robotics team and STEM programs, had sought to amend its Innovation Network agreement with Indianapolis Public Schools.
Indiana secures $6.25M to advance apprenticeships
Indiana’s demand for apprenticeship is rising after education officials approved a massive high school diploma redesign last year.
Trump administration withholds $6B in federal grants for after-school and summer programs
The move leaves states and schools in limbo as they budget for programs this summer and in the upcoming school year, introducing new uncertainty about when—or if—they will receive the money.
Indiana private school voucher spending tops $497M as enrollment slows
Participation in Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program grew by about 8.5% in the 2024-25 school year—marking a slowdown after record-setting enrollment growth in prior years.
IPS board adopts new artificial intelligence policy for educators
The adoption of the policy follows the first phase of a pilot program in which 20 staff members used a district-approved AI tool throughout the year.