Education board creates expert panel to oversee ISTEP
The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a permanent committee for the high-stakes standardized test after broad criticism and several snafus.
K-12
Articles
Purdue engineers recommend STEM gift ideas for kids
A team of Purdue University engineers this week released its second annual Engineering Gift Guide of toys designed to inspire creativity in children and teach them problem-solving skills.
New charter school to dump grade levels for ‘milestones’
A groundbreaking Ohio high school that has junked the concept of grade levels is the model for one of two newly approved Indiana charter school proposals. The school has been given the OK to open in Indianapolis in 2017.
Indiana seeks extension for dual-credit teacher rules
The Higher Learning Commission voted earlier this month to allow states to seek an extension of up to five years.
Charters awarded $40M in loans from controversial state program
Indiana’s State Board of Education on Friday said it had received requests for a total of $77M in loans from 33 charter schools, exceeding the funding approved for the $50M program.
Dual-credit teachers may get extension for new standards
Indiana educators struggling over an impending change in requirements for high school teachers of dual-credit classes may be getting an extension as long as five years.
IPS teachers still waiting on promised raises
Eleven weeks after the Indianapolis Public Schools agreed to give teachers a dramatic raise—the first in five years for many of them—the teachers are still waiting.
Lawmaker suggests tackling ISTEP issue on Organization Day
Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, on Wednesday called for the Indiana legislature to take the dramatic step of passing a bill next week to protect schools and teachers from possible consequences of an expected steep drop in ISTEP scores.
State lawmaker floats pension alternative for new teachers
A key state lawmaker says he plans to sponsor a bill in the next legislative session that would allow new teachers to choose a retirement program similar to a 401(k) plan instead of the traditional pension system.
IPS principals getting shot at $25,000 awards
Indianapolis philanthropists Al and Kathy Hubbard are extending their Life-Changing Teacher Awards this year to principals.
Indiana State Board of Education delays diploma overhaul
The State Board of Education voted Wednesday to delay adoption of stricter new diploma standards amid worries from parents and educators that the overhaul could limit the career potential of students who are struggling to find their way in the world.
Zionsville voters approve school funding referendum
The proposal will allow Zionsville Community Schools to impose a maximum 24.44-cent tax rate per $100 of assessed value for the next six years. It is the same maximum rate already in place.
Gary schools wrestling with debt as enrollment plummets
The school district has seen its enrollment drop by more than 1,000 students in the past year, to about 6,000 this fall. Enrollment stood at about 16,000 students a decade ago.
Indiana struggling with change for dual-credit teachers
Todd Bess, executive director of Indiana Association of School Principals, said he's heard from some school leaders that up to 90 percent of their teachers wouldn't meet the new standard.
IPS board votes to close Key school, OKs school-autonomy plan
Indianapolis Public Schools board members voted Thursday to shut down the groundbreaking Key Learning Community while approving a plan that would move IPS schools toward more autonomy.
State school board approves big drop in ISTEP passing rate
The State Board of Education board voted Wednesday to approve benchmarks that will see about 65 percent of students pass the language arts section, with about 59 percent passing the math section.
New study finds no teacher shortage in Indiana
The study, released Wednesday by Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research, found there was actually an excess supply of teachers in the state.
Lawmakers endorse steps to tackle potential teacher shortfall
A legislative study committee recommended a series of steps Monday that would whittle away at the authority of teacher unions while attempting to address Indiana's shrinking number of new teachers.
Top Indiana school issues headed for Statehouse debates
State leaders will tackle questions about a possible teacher shortage and work on politically-charged questions about ISTEP.
IPS seeks board’s blessing for school freedom strategy
The Indianapolis School Board expects to vote next week on a “framework” for shifting the district toward a system with more freedom for principals and schools over the next three years.