Indiana Senate votes down bill to appoint schools chief
The Indiana Senate unexpectedly shot down a bill on Monday that would have made the role of state superintendent of public instruction an appointed rather than elected position.
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Purdue Polytechnic project hits snag on city’s east side
The planned high school for STEM studies announced with fanfare last year that it would move into the P.R. Mallory factory site, but leaders encountered a financial hurdle and now are keeping their options open.
Shrinking school districts to see less money under House budget plan
Suburban schools, English-learners and virtual schools would fare well under the Indiana House’s 2017 budget plan, while Indianapolis Public Schools and other urban districts would see drops in state support.
Cathedral High School acquires Little League headquarters
The 35-acre site, on the city’s far-northeast side, contains several diamonds and will enable the private Catholic school to have its own baseball facilities.
Lawmakers weigh letting governor select state schools chief
Indiana is one of 13 states where voters elect the schools chief. The other 37 allow either the governor or the board of education to select someone to fill the position.
S&P threatens to downgrade Indiana school debt
Citing concern about a state statute governing debt repayment, Standard & Poor’s said that it has placed a 90-day watch on the rating for loans to all Indiana school districts.
House passes pre-K bill that expands access to vouchers
Supporters of expanding state-funded preschool said they are frustrated the bill includes what they view as an expansion of the private school voucher program.
New owner of local Sylvan centers moving all three
Following his recent purchases, Ken Kolbow plans to move the tutoring facilities to locations where he thinks he can attract more students.
Ex-Indiana schools chief Bennett ineligible for county seat
Republican precinct committee members elected Tony Bennett to the Clark County Council on Wednesday, but he hasn’t lived in the county long enough to qualify.
State lawmakers add voucher access to preschool expansion bill
The voucher language has injected some controversy into a bill that has received bipartisan support.
State lawmakers discuss expanding screening for teachers
State lawmakers are proposing legislation they say will help strengthen Indiana's system for running background checks for teachers.
State lawmaker proposes ‘ILEARN’ test to replace ISTEP
Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, filed House Bill 1003 in the Indiana General Assembly on Wednesday, setting out details for a new state testing system, whose name stands for “Indiana’s Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network.”
New scholarship for teaching garners interest from students
The $7,500 annual scholarship will cover about one-third of costs at a public college in Indiana beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year. The median cost in a public college in Indiana is $21,000 per year.
New state schools chief picked to lead Indiana education board
Board members voted unanimously after little discussion Wednesday to endorse Jennifer McCormick as the board’s leader.
Holcomb’s budget plan modestly boosts funding for Indiana schools
Democrats say it’s not enough, particularly in its failure to expand state-funded preschool to more counties.
Senate education chief expects delay for ISTEP replacement
The Legislature is expected to extend the life of the current test so that a new version can be written and thoroughly vetted before being administered.
Sullivan re-elected president on reconfigured IPS board
Mary Ann Sullivan will lead the Indianapolis Public Schools board for the second year in a row, bringing a dose of consistency to a board that begins the term with three new members.
Proposed bill will seek to make Indiana school chiefs appointed, not elected
Gov.-Elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday announced he wants to make Indiana’s elected superintendent of public instruction a governor-appointed position. House Speaker Brian Bosma is set to author the bill.
2016 NEWSMAKER: Jennifer McCormick, new state schools chief
Political newcomer Jennifer McCormick was elected Nov. 8 as state superintendent of public instruction—a surprise to many who expected Democrat Glenda Ritz to keep her seat.
Tindley Schools network taps former principal for CEO job
Kelli Marshall will permanently replace Marcus Robinson, who resigned earlier this year after questions about the financial state of the network and his lavish spending as CEO.