Senate passes bill calling for ISTEP study panel
A measure passed on a 38-10 vote would create a 22-member panel to "study alternatives to the ISTEP" and "make recommendations for replacing" the test.
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Noblesville High School student creates app for hall passes
Pass Whiz, the app created by 17-year-old Zack Baker, allows students to request a pass to leave the classroom which teachers can approve or deny by tapping a button.
Indiana teacher pay bill advancing despite criticism
Many school district administrators and Indiana's teachers unions are arguing against a legislative proposal that would give districts the authority to negotiate higher pay with individual teachers.
Pence expresses ‘confidence’ in ISTEP report despite alterations
A review of documents showed a top education official made significant alterations to a report that detailed a so-called independent investigation into the unpopular standardized ISTEP+ exam for students.
Indiana official had say in independent report on tests
A report summarizing what was billed as an independent investigation into Indiana's new, unpopular standardized student exam includes edits and suggested changes by a state administrator hired by Gov. Mike Pence's State Board of Education.
Teacher, parents tell board to skip raise for Ferebee
A handful of parents and educators spoke out against a proposed raise for Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee at school board hearing Tuesday night, calling on the district to spend the money on other needs.
Technology concerns arise as state approaches ISTEP testing
This year’s exam, created for the first time by the British testing company Pearson, will be largely administered on computers instead of on paper. That has educators—stung by a string of recent testing problems—on edge.
Plan to change teacher pay, pensions passes after debate
A bill that would create a path for teachers to try to negotiate extra pay and manage their own pension funds passed the Indiana House on Wednesday despite passionate opposition from Democrats and others.
Indiana school district grades change little with reprieve
More than three-quarters of Indiana's school districts are receiving A or B grades under the state's rating system.
Union backers say bill could wreck state teacher pay system
Teachers in high-demand jobs—like science, math or foreign language—would be free to try to negotiate better pay even beyond what their school’s union scales allow under a bill the Indiana House will consider next week.
Challenging Ritz, McCormick cites management problems
Jennifer McCormick introduced herself and her run for state superintendent Thursday by criticizing Glenda Ritz’s management of the Indiana Department of Education and calling for a debate that gets beyond politics.
School district leader to challenge Ritz in next election
The leader of a central Indiana school district is seeking to become the Republican challenger to Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz in this year's election.
Indiana schools’ A-F grades largely unchanged due to reprieve
When the state released grades for the 2014-15 school year on Tuesday, it seemed clear that many schools benefited from a “hold harmless” bill that Gov. Mike Pence signed into law Thursday.
Ritz objects to ISTEP re-score measure proposed by GOP
Whether the 2015 ISTEP should be re-scored due to well-documented problems with the roll-out and administration of the exam is once again pitting GOP leaders in the Legislature against Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.
Indiana graduation rates dipped in 2015, but remain mostly flat over five years
Statewide, 88.9 percent of students graduated from high school, compared to 89.8 a year earlier. But graduation rates have only fluctuated by about one percentage point up or down since 2011.
Bill sparing schools from A-F grade drop sent to House floor
A bill sparing Indiana schools from a drop in A-F grades resulting from this year's sharp decline in student ISTEP scores now goes to the full House for consideration after the chamber's education committee approved it Thursday.
Hogsett signals charter school slowdown, focus on traditional public schools
The new Democratic mayor says he supports charter schools but is more interested in quality than quantity.
Indiana House, Senate each pass ISTEP bills
Indiana lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved bills giving teachers and schools a one-year reprieve from being punished for poor student performance on ISTEP exams.
State awards $9.6M in grants to help avoid teacher shortages
The Indiana Commission for Higher education announced the 13 grants on Wednesday.
UPDATE: State education panel leader wants to re-score ISTEP
Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, said he wants to hire a contractor to re-score the 2015 ISTEP test, which he calls a “disaster.” Meanwhile, the House education committee approved a measure sparing teachers from having their performance pay reduced as a result of the scores.