Committee studying how to replace ISTEP holds first meeting
The 23-member study panel, which is comprised of educators, state officials and academics, heard expert testimony during a three-hour hearing at the Statehouse.
K-12
Articles
Schools with higher-paid teachers may benefit from IPS proposal
IPS is moving toward a “weighted” budgeting system that will use a formula to set individual school budgets based on enrollment and need—a break from the current system.
Struggling Indy charter school set to close at year’s end
Indiana Life Sciences Academy West will be the last of four Imagine Schools to close in Indiana.
One state tries to say bye-bye bubble sheets
A New Hampshire pilot program eschews computerized testing and multiple-choice tests for “performance tasks” spread throughout the school year that are meant to measure a deeper understanding of the subjects students are studying.
More public schools raising funds through naming rights
An idea that started with professional sports teams and worked its way through colleges and universities has taken root in public schools around the United States.
Bathroom guidelines for transgender students leave Pence, Ritz at odds
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Friday said the federal government has “no business” in mandating bathroom policy at public schools. But state superintendent Glenda Ritz rallied behind the guidelines.
ISTEP review panel’s leader says exam is ‘just too long’
The leader of a new state panel says the committee will be doing a deep analysis to recommend a replacement for Indiana's unpopular ISTEP student exam.
Former Park Tudor coach to plead guilty to enticement
A plea agreement filed Wednesday in Indianapolis federal court says former Indianapolis Park Tudor School coach Kyle Cox admitted the charge. Cox could be facing more than 10 years in prison.
New state data system for education, jobs faces funding issue
Indiana will get its first look this summer at a new $3.9 million data system that aims to help the public and state agencies better plan and make decisions about education and jobs. But the “Indiana Network of Knowledge,” or INK, lacks long-term funding.
IPS approves ‘newcomer’ school, two innovation schools
Just a week after the Indianapolis Public Schools board heard a proposal to create a school for students who are new to the country, the plan won approval Thursday night. The board also OK’d plans to convert two district schools to “innovation” status.
Hamilton County schools worry how voter turnout will impact referendums
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and Noblesville Schools are proposing tax-raising referendums on the ballots next week. There’s concern that hotly contested primary races will bring naysayers to the polls.
City seeks to lead redevelopment of downtown IPS site
The Hogsett administration is in discussions with school administrators to take over decision-making on the 11-acre Massachusetts Avenue property and might even buy the site.
Notre Dame gets involved with five Indianapolis academies
The University of Notre Dame plans to help manage operations of five schools in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis through its Alliance for Catholic Education program.
Purdue taps Goodwill exec to lead its Indy STEM high school
Scott Bess will be the first “head of school” for the Purdue Polytechnic High School, which will aim to serve as a pipeline for Indianapolis students to the West Lafayette university.
Indiana announces elementary school robotics program
The governor's office said Friday that 400 schools will be picked to participate in the program, which aims to shepherd students into career paths related to science, technology, engineering and math.
IPS considering school for children new to the country
The school would offer instruction designed to help students master English and would serve as a hub for immigrant families, connecting them with community organizations offering everything from health care to adult education programs.
Indiana school voucher rolls grow 12 percent, to 33,000
Figures released Thursday by the state Department of Education show that private schools could receive nearly $135 million in state voucher payments this school year, up from $116 million last year.
High School internship program grows to include 80 businesses
The Noblesville High School internship program, which started with about 20 students and a handful of local businesses a few years ago, is far exceeding school officials’ expectations.
Charter operator pitches expansion plan for city school
Five years after taking over management of three failing Indianapolis schools, Charter Schools USA has rolled out an unusual proposal for revamping Howe High School. But the plan could face resistance.
Indiana State Teachers Association loses executive director
Indiana State Teachers Association Executive Director Brenda Pike plans to resign after six years at the job to take the same position at the troubled Alabama Education Association.