Indiana schools got $3B for COVID relief, but information on spending often hard to find
Policymakers say that without clear information from school districts, it is hard for the public to know if the money is benefiting students.
Education
Articles
Indiana should lift law requiring yellow buses, charter group says
The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based charter advocacy group, highlighted in a new report how the yellow-bus requirement creates a costly burden for charter schools in particular.
Ohio lawmakers to consider bill aimed at retaining, luring students
Lawmakers in Indiana’s neighbor to the east will consider making graduates of any Ohio college who take a full-time job in the state exempt from state income tax for up to three years.
Appeals court revives high school teacher’s lawsuit against archdiocese
A gay teacher who sued the Archdiocese of Indianapolis after he was terminated from his teaching position at Cathedral High School has been given another chance to make his case.
State higher education chief Teresa Lubbers stepping down
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers plans to leave her position at the end of the 2022 legislative session, ending a nearly 13-year run in the job, the governor’s office announced Tuesday morning.
Indiana’s IREAD scores show unequal effects of pandemic on children
The gap in passing rates on state tests between white and Black students grew to 25.5 percentage points last spring from 2019.
Strada Education Network hires ‘architect’ of Virginia’s Amazon HQ2 bid as CEO
Virginia Business named Stephen Moret its 2019 Business Person of the Year and credited him with resuscitating the state’s business-recruitment arm on the way to landing Amazon’s second headquarters, the largest economic development project in U.S. history.
At Pike schools, tensions with labor groups disrupt return to in-person learning
Dual labor disputes have disrupted hopes for a smooth comeback at Pike Township schools this year—and officials have warned families that more cancelations of in-person classes could be possible.
Anderson teachers absent, schools close amid contract clash
Anderson Community Schools said about 20% of its teachers called off work on Wednesday amid contentious contract negotiations.
Elementary specialization in Indiana cuts teacher effectiveness, study says
By teaching fewer subjects to more students, specialists run the risk of weakened student relationships, reducing teacher effectiveness in reading and math, according to the paper.
Indiana hopes its free online lab will be hub for professional development
Backed with millions of dollars in funding, Keep Indiana Learning is partnering with the Indiana Department of Education as part of a statewide initiative to provide a central hub for teacher professional development: The Indiana Learning Lab.
COVID-19 exacerbates ongoing problem with teacher shortages
Now that schools have welcomed students back to classrooms, they face a new challenge: a shortage of teachers and staff the likes of which some districts say they have never seen.
Upcoming AT&T hackathon to offer $100,000 in prizes for 5G projects
This year’s hackathon, to take place Oct. 22-24 at Butler University, will focus on sports-related applications for 5G wireless technology.
Indiana seeking input to determine desired qualities of graduates
The Indiana Department of Education is now seeking public opinion through the fall about what characteristics are most important in helping a student after high school graduation.
Indiana schools get incentive to require classroom masks
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a new statewide executive order that eases quarantine requirements for students if all children and adults in the school were wearing masks throughout the day.
Record numbers of COVID-19 cases reported in Indiana schools
More than 5,500 new cases were reported among Indiana students in Monday’s weekly update of the state’s coronavirus school dashboard.
Marion County ranks high on statewide report rating child care access
Hoosier families on average face limited access to child care — with most residents having a tough time finding quality care that meets their family’s needs, according to Early Learning Indiana.
Noblesville Schools proposes $4 million tennis facility as its latest capital project
Noblesville Schools’ latest proposal in a string of recent capital projects could bring a 12-court varsity tennis facility to the district’s property just north of Noblesville East Middle School.
Martin University offering debt-relief for most students
The university plans to use grant funds from the federal government, specifically Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, to clear debt for more than two-thirds of its students.
IUPUI’s Paydar plans to step down as chancellor
Under Paydar’s leadership, IUPUI has expanded its footprint in downtown Indianapolis and has grown to include more than 550 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs from IU and Purdue University.