IPS ends 2014 with $4.1M surplus despite less state aid
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said he is concerned that IPS could see even deeper cuts in state aid going forward.
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New software lets many workers customize their tech, forcing change upon educators
Indianapolis-based Ke Labs is among a growing number of tech companies trying to develop software that allows users to create or tweak their own programs—without knowing any computer languages or code.
Pence doesn’t push to expand preschool program
The governor said this will be an "education session" and said his priorities will include changes to the school funding formula and more money for school choice.
Bill would let state education board select its own chair
Democrats called the legislation a political attack that would let Gov. Mike Pence replace Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, with his own leader.
Republicans nix separate charter school, voucher funding
Republicans have rejected Democrats' calls to specify in Indiana's state budget how much money is going toward traditional public schools, charter schools and the private school voucher program.
In unusual deal, Westfield sells fiber network for $5M
The city of Westfield and its school district recently exchanged their homegrown network for $5 million in in-kind services. As a result of the agreement, city and school officials will not have to worry about things like paying for Internet service for the next 10 years.
FEIGENBAUM: Expect more details of Pence agenda in coming days
The governor delivers his State of the State Address on Jan. 13. He will lay out his legislative agenda in greater detail than in December pronouncements that education would take precedence this session, in terms of both cash and policy.
Education board member disses teacher-evaluation system
State Board of Education member Gordon Hendry said the teacher-evaluation ratings are based on a “clearly flawed system.”
Lawmakers urged to weigh in on online instruction days
An Indiana Board of Education member renewed his call Wednesday for lawmakers to define what constitutes an instructional day as schools move to replace snow days with online instruction.
Bill would make superintendent appointed, not elected
Senate Bill 24, authored by Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, would allow the governor to appoint the state superintendent of public instruction beginning in 2021.
Nearly all Indiana educators rated effective again
Hardly any teachers got low ratings despite major changes to toughen up state’s teacher evaluation system in 2011.
Indiana legislators eye school funding revamp
Indiana lawmakers could face a prickly debate as they aim to tighten up funding differences between the state's school districts during the General Assembly session that starts Tuesday.
State’s preschool pilot program receives 1,800 applicants
The goal for the first phase of the program was to enroll 350 children. But because of the high demand, the state plans to enroll 100 additional children.
Indiana voucher schools return $4M in overpayments
The study released Wednesday by the Indiana Non-Public Education Association shows that 80 of the more than 300 private schools in the voucher program were overpaid $3.9 million over three years.
New rules push high schools to better prep students for college
In 2013, Indiana legislators passed a bill with a potentially game-changing idea in mind: require high schools to figure out which students aren’t on track for college level work and get them the extra help they need.
GOP plan would help teachers buy school supplies
The proposed tax credit doesn’t yet have a price tag. But it could essentially reimburse teachers for money they’ve spent on supplies, up to a cap that would be set in the law.
Snow days melting away in many Indiana schools
The state Department of Education has granted 37 public school districts and 13 private schools permission to hold online learning days in cases of inclement weather this school year.
Plan to rate teacher training raises concerns
A U.S. Department of Education plan to use student test scores to rate colleges and universities for their teacher training is drawing fire from some Indiana educators.
Ball State sees sharp drop in teacher candidates
Teaching isn't making the grade as a career path for many students due to a string of recent trends.
Education budget draws scrutiny over costs for student testing
Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz is seeking $20 million more for testing as part of her spending proposal, which calls for an overall 3 percent increase and free textbooks for all Indiana students.