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.
Education
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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.
New organization aims to get girls interested in STEM, motorsports
Sim 4 Stem, launched by two former professional female athletes, is launching next month with events geared around the Indianapolis 500. One of the group’s founders, Nicci Daly, is the niece of retired racer Derek Daly of Carmel.
Legislative session ends as chaotic, twelfth-hour push nets $312M increase for traditional K-12
Under pressure from local schools and fellow Republican lawmakers, GOP leaders opted to decrease the amount dedicated to paying down the unfunded liability in pre-1996 Teacher Retirement Fund and shift an additional $312 million to K-12 schools.
Teacher discussions could be limited under Indiana bill
Indiana Republican state Senators signaled their final approval Tuesday of a bill that would remove the requirement for administrators to discuss some topics with a teachers union representative.
Butler University extends Danko’s contract by three years
James Danko has led a significant transformation of the Butler campus, including nearly $500 million in capital improvement projects to upgrade academic, research, residential, performance and athletic spaces.
Time running out for state lawmakers to deliver on health, education and tax promises
Indiana’s lawmakers are nearing the end of a grueling nearly four-month legislative session, but three of their biggest priorities—aside from the budget—remain unresolved.
Many IPS schools losing nurses staffed through IU Health, prompting parent concerns
The premature end of the IU Health partnership could leave a large number of IPS schools without a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to dispense medication or respond to health emergencies.
Neighborhood calls for community-run school after years of instability, discontent
A group of advocates known as the Butler-Tarkington Education Committee has submitted their vision for James Whitcomb Riley School 43 and is working with IPS on a memorandum of understanding about how to overhaul the school.
Senate unveils budget with no expansion for school voucher program
The most glaring contrast between the Senate and House proposals is the way in which they intend to expand funding to charter schools.
Indiana University lays out strategic roadmap in ‘IU 2030’ plan
The blueprint includes campus-specific plans for the university’s six campuses outside Bloomington, including IUPUI, which is set to be renamed IU Indianapolis under a realignment plan.
Court backs school district in teacher firing over transgender students’ names
An Indiana school district did not violate a former music teacher’s rights by pushing him to resign after the man refused to use transgender students’ names and gender pronouns, a federal appeals court said in an order released Friday.
Virtual school funding increase benefits House speaker’s client
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston maintained Thursday that virtual charter schools deserve equal funding and denied that a virtual education company he consults for would unfairly benefit from a tax increase proposed in the state budget.
Robotics curriculum initiative targets younger, nonwhite kids
A $2.6 million grant from the Indiana Department of Education, announced Feb. 21, will help expand a program offered by the IUPUI Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.