House leader suggests dumping ISTEP for new exam
An idea to scrap Indiana’s state standardized test in favor of an “off-the-shelf” test could make a comeback during this year’s legislative session.
K-12
Articles
Lawrence Township’s $12M magnet plan creates little movement
Five years ago, Lawrence Township became one of the first districts in the nation to convert all of its elementary schools into magnet schools. Today, few parents are exercising choice—at most schools, 90 percent of students come from the surrounding neighborhood.
Indiana high school graduation rate among country’s highest
The Education Department said Tuesday that the rate for the 2013-14 school year was 87.9 percent in Indiana.
Indiana asks vendor about possible problems with test scores
The Indiana Department of Education asked the company that scores the important standardized test for the number of test items and schools that may have been affected by a computer malfunction that could have caused results to be inadvertently changed.
Excel Centers giving more students a 2nd chance at diploma
Demand is up at Excel Centers, a network of dropout-recovery charter schools run by Goodwill Industries. Statewide, 846 students graduated from the centers in 2015, 33 percent more than last year.
ISTEP legislation coming after clamor over Indiana scores
House Education Committee chairman Robert Behning, an Indianapolis Republican, said he'll have a bill ready during the first weeks of the legislative session in January for a one-year suspension of ISTEP as part of teacher evaluations.
Lawmakers to consider ISTEP-related accountability
At issue this year is what to do about test-score-based school accountability measures now that the state is expecting much lower scores.
IPS considering big changes in school-funding formula
A funding plan under consideration by Indianapolis Public Schools lan could have far-reaching consequences for students and teachers across the city, with some schools coming out ahead—and others facing difficult choices.
Teacher panel calls for raises, pay for advanced degrees
A 49-member panel comprised mostly of teachers from across the state on Monday refined its recommendations for how the state should mentor, train, recruit and pay teachers.
Mind Trust receives $3 million grant from Fairbanks
The Mind Trust education reform group will receive $3 million more from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to launch new public schools, attract teachers to Indianapolis and advance changes in K-12 schools.
Preliminary numbers show big plunge in school grades
While the numbers are just preliminary findings, they paint a dire picture. For example, the number of schools that received an "A'' grade plunged by more than 50 percent when compared to last year.
Firms start early trying to entice science-oriented students
Dozens of companies across central Indiana are using programs aimed at middle- and high-school students to develop a pool of talented kids who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math to fill the growing number of jobs for which such skills are necessary.
Indiana school leaders blasting ISTEP ahead of score release
School leaders around Indiana have been increasing criticism of the state's standardized test as they brace for the release of scores that will show a double-digit drop in passing rates for students.
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.
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.