House panel advances bill requiring high schools to offer computer science classes
The concept of requiring schools to offer computer science courses is part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2018 legislative agenda.
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Realtor group’s opposition a possible blow to school district’s tax-hike bid
A politically influential group representing real estate agents is taking the rare step of opposing Indianapolis Public Schools’ $725 million proposal to raise property taxes to increase school funding.
Indiana lawmakers weigh ‘opt-in’ requirement for sex education
The proposal would require parents to be notified—and give them the opportunity to review—any curriculum dealing with sexual activity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
IPS leaders could scale back their appeal for tax increases
The Indianapolis Public Schools board is likely consider a proposal next week that would reduce the district’s planned funding request. IPS officials have been planning to ask voters for up to $936 million over eight years.
State official criticizes IPS bid for almost $1B in additional tax dollars
A member of the Indiana State Board of Education said the district’s plan to ask voters this May to approve two referendums to increase funding has not been transparent. He also called the proposed tax increase way too high.
Education chief DeVos makes covert visit to Indy innovation school
Without the knowledge of the Indianapolis Public Schools administration or board, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos filmed a segment at the school for an upcoming TV special on innovation in education and her one-year anniversary in office.
Lawmaker kills proposal to let schools hire unlicensed teachers
Less than a week after introducing the idea, an Indiana senator killed a proposal Tuesday that would have allowed school districts to hire up to 10 percent of their teachers without a traditional state teaching licenses.
IPS approves new budget plan that ties funding to student needs
Indianapolis’ largest school district will only make a few changes to the rules that govern how much money schools get next year. But some schools, including those that serve many undocumented students, could get less money.
Bill to strengthen school-district oversight draws criticism
Some Indiana school officials say a bill that would create a system to monitor school districts' financial health and punish struggling schools goes too far
Computer science education bill passes Senate committee
A Senate committee unanimous approved legislation that would require that all school districts in Indiana add computer science to their curriculum.
New enrollment system gets 3,500 applications
OneMatch is a web-based application process for IPS and 90 percent of Marion County charter schools.
Legislature debates expanding computer science in high schools
Those in the trenches say structural barriers—the most significant seems to be teacher training and quality—must be solved before basic classes that explain how computers work and more advanced coding and web-development courses can flourish throughout Indiana’s secondary schools.
Fairbanks Foundation awards $12M to local schools for drug prevention
The initiative will provide grants to public and private K-12 schools in Marion County to support substance-abuse programs.
IPS fields five bids for buying, revamping site on hot East 16th Street corridor
The 4.5-acre parcel just east of the Monon Trail received a high bid of $2.75 million. All of the proposals would mix commercial and housing development.
Indiana’s high school graduation rate on stagnant pace
Indiana’s high school graduation rate steadily climbed from 78 percent to 87 percent from 2007 to 2011. But since then, it has barely budged.
State board OKs new A-F plan that ‘will affect every school in Indiana’
Student test scores would play a bigger role in determining school A-F grades under new draft rules approved Wednesday by the Indiana State Board of Education.
Holcomb lays out plan to ‘skill up’ thousands of Hoosier workers
In his State of the State address, the governor offered specific targets for returning college dropouts to school, helping inmates earn work certificates and pushing more companies to offer training programs.
11 ideas to boost workforce development in Indiana, as proposed by legislators
Faced with a shortage of skilled workers to fill some available jobs, legislators have proposed myriad bills this session aimed at tackling the issue and improving the effectiveness of the state’s system.
Holcomb: Flailing online schools need ‘immediate attention and action’
The governor called the performance of one of the biggest online schools, Indiana Virtual, “unsatisfactory.” It has received more than $20 million in state funding while graduating about 61 students.
IPS set to ask taxpayers for $936M for teacher pay, construction
The district’s website says that the operating funds would be used to raise teacher pay and special needs services. The construction funds would pay to upgrade buildings and make safety improvements.