Indiana Senate Republicans prioritize literacy, health in five-part agenda
A bill to require earlier interventions for students struggling with literacy is top-of-list for Indiana Senate Republicans, who unveiled their 2024 agenda Thursday morning.
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Some Americans will get student loans canceled in February as Biden accelerates new plan
Borrowers will be eligible for cancellation if they are enrolled in the new SAVE plan, if they originally borrowed $12,000 or less to attend college, and if they have made at least 10 years of payments.
Few students signed up for career scholarships, as lawmakers look to expand the law
Just over 200 Indiana students received state funding for job training in the first year of the state’s Career Scholarship Accounts program.
Charter authorizer rejects bid from Indianapolis school with rocky history
The Genius School in Indianapolis has lost its bid for a charter from a second authorizer, after the Education One board at Trine University rejected its application Wednesday.
Indiana school voucher usage continues to rise on broadened eligibility
An all-time high number of Indiana students are using Indiana’s near-universal voucher program to attend private schools this year.
Tentative IPS teacher contract includes average 3% pay raises, more time off
Under the agreement, the estimated salary range for teachers in the the 2024-25 school year would be $53,460 to $94,000.
Foundation commits $4M to boost college enrollment at Indianapolis-area schools
The Fairbanks Foundation is providing schools with a cash infusion in an effort to boost Indiana’s college-going rate.
Indiana delegation heading to Switzerland to learn about apprenticeship system
The trip comes as Indiana plans to roll out a new program allowing eligible high school students to receive up to $5,000 in state funding for “career scholarship accounts” that can be used to “shop” for work-based learning experiences.
Students transform drab dorm rooms into comfy, pricey living spaces
Some are even going so far as to hire interior designers and spend $10,000 to beautify their 12 feet by 20 feet of space.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library kicks off statewide in Indiana
The program provides free, high quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five on a monthly basis, regardless of family income.
Ground broken on major overhaul for Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy improvements are part of a string of capital projects prioritized by Holcomb in recent budget sessions at the Statehouse.
Five things to watch as Indiana’s school year begins
Recovering from the pandemic’s effects on student performance remains a top priority for schools, as state testing scores indicate that learning has stagnated.
Changes coming for U.S. citizenship test
The U.S. citizenship test is being updated, and some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will hurt test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency.
Ransomware criminals dumping students’ private files online after school hacks
The confidential documents stolen from schools and dumped online by ransomware gangs are raw, intimate and graphic. Unlike for hospitals, no federal law exists to require notification from schools.
Activists spurred by affirmative action ruling sue over legacy admissions
A civil rights group is challenging legacy admissions at Harvard University, saying the practice discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair boost to the mostly white children of alumni.
ACLU of Indiana files suit against new law on sexuality instruction in classrooms
The federal lawsuit filed on behalf of an IPS teacher claims that, in addition to First Amendment violations, the legislation is overly broad, as neither “instruction” nor “human sexuality” is defined.
State education board begins rollout of new K-12 standards
Indiana’s State Board of Education is moving forward with a plan that “streamlines” K-12 education standards and makes it easier for teachers to craft individualized lesson plans.
Not-for-profit boss shifts priorities to lead new youth chess initiative
Inclusion is a primary goal for Indy Chess, which is working to endear the game to girls and multiple racial groups.
Indianapolis ed-tech firm secures $1.45M in state incentives
Ellipsis Education, which formerly operated as Codelicious and currently has 30 employees, plans to hire another 91 people over the next few years. The company, which offers computer science curricula for schools, says school districts’ growing interest in computer classes is fueling its growth.
How a contested GOP gubernatorial primary could help Democrat Jennifer McCormick
Jennifer McCormick, for now the presumptive favorite for the Democratic nomination for governor, could hoard cash while Republicans spend big money to try and win a contested three-way primary election next year.