Deadline nears for saving Anderson’s Wigwam gym
School officials say a plan is needed to pay ongoing costs at Anderson's iconic Wigwam gymnasium while a group trying to save the building faces a deadline to hold off its demolition.
K-12
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IPS boss supports cooperating with charter schools
A pending bill could usher in unprecedented cooperation between Indianapolis Public Schools and the city’s charter schools, resulting in significant financial benefits for both.
Voucher students who never tried public school on the rise
Four in 10 students using vouchers never attended an Indiana public school, even though the original 2011 law that authorized the program required it.
Teachers could get help with expenses under House bill
House Bill 1349 would establish a Classroom Expense Fund, from which money would be advanced to educators across the state.
Legislation aims to expand high school internships
The bill would add an intern-hiring incentive to the Economic Development for a Growing Economy program, commonly known as EDGE.
City, state to scrutinize charter curriculum that questions evolution
A Texas-based education organization with approval to open two Indianapolis charter schools teaches creationism and Christian-based character virtues, according to an article by Slate.com. It has prompted an expedited review of the group’s curriculum by Indianapolis and state education officials.
Teachers could receive money to pay loans under proposed bill
A bipartisan group in the Indiana House is working to give some public elementary or high school teachers $9,000 towards their student loans after three consecutive years of teaching.
New state law might idle school bus fleets
A state law intended to make sure cash-strapped public school districts pay their debt could have an unintended consequence: permanently parking the yellow buses that deliver students to class.
Indiana House OKs early childhood education pilot program
Under the program, families earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level would get state aid to send their children to preschool.
Senate committee passes cursive writing requirement, again
For the third straight year, Sen. Jean Leising has convinced the Indiana Senate Education Committee to advance a bill that requires schools to teach cursive writing.
IPS among four districts receiving F grades from state
IPS received 0.96 points, on a 4-point scale, based on its students’ performance in the 2012-13 school year—just shy of the full point needed to earn a D grade. Still, IPS’s score was greatly improved from the previous year.
Southern Indiana school district lowers graduation standard
A southern Indiana school system has reduced the number of credits required for a high school diploma for students this year, saying its higher standard put it at a disadvantage with neighboring districts.
Bennett hires top-flight defense in ethics case
Larry Mackey and Jason Barclay are representing former state education chief Tony Bennett in his case before the State Ethics Commission.
Educator starts business to simplify teacher ratings
Software helps administrators eliminate mountains of paperwork.
Bennett state ethics hearing pushed to May
A hearing on allegations that former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett misused his state office to do political work has been moved from Wednesday to May 8.
NEWSMAKERS: Tony Bennett & Glenda Ritz
In November 2012, Democrat Glenda Ritz defeated Republican Tony Bennett in the race for Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction. But the two never stopped fighting each other.
More public schools receive A grades, fewer get F’s
More Indiana schools received top grades under a system the Indiana State Board of Education approved Friday after months of political wrangling. Among the F’s was a charter school that received a controversial A rating last year.
Fifth Third helping to educate fifth-graders
Fifth Third’s local president, Nancy Huber, said the bank is awarding $60,000 to Junior Achievement to create a student bank.
Bennett finds state-level work with ACT testing
Former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett has found new work helping to pitch a Common Core test to state education leaders.
Pence looks to expand education overhaul
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announced an expansive education plan Tuesday for his second year in office that will include seeking approval for vouchers for preschool-aged children, extending more state help for charter schools and paying for teachers to work in low-income school districts.