Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana – Indianapolis Business Journal

Home » Authors » Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Articles

Indiana seeks to train more students for high-demand cybersecurity jobs

May 14, 2026

Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Indiana students will have a new pathway to cybersecurity careers, backed by the College Board and the Indiana National Guard.

1Comment

New Indianapolis schools governing body talks property-tax hike at 1st meeting

April 14, 2026

Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

In addition to the referendum discussion Tuesday, the new Indianapolis Public Education Corp. appointed an acting executive director and approved a funding request for its work.

9Comments

Here are the education bills that Indiana lawmakers passed in the 2026 legislative session

February 28, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Among them are a new restriction on social media for minors and a ban on cellphones during school hours, which could change how students spend their time while reducing fights and distractions.

How Indiana’s push to cut degrees with low earnings impacts colleges and universities

February 12, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Graduates of bachelor programs must have earnings above those of a typical high school graduate, or around $33,000 in Indiana, for the program to keep operating and to receive federal student loan funding.

Indiana House passes bill creating Indianapolis Public Education Corp.

February 2, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The nine-member board would be appointed by the Indianapolis mayor and oversee key aspects of schools within its boundaries, such as a transportation system and an accountability system that could be used to recommend closing inefficient or low-performing schools.

Indiana lawmakers move to expand use of Classic Learning Test for college admission

January 22, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The legislation would require the state’s public colleges and universities to consider scores from the CLT as an alternative to SAT or ACT results.

Lawmakers draft timeline for new Indianapolis education board

January 22, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Indiana lawmakers have advanced a bill that would give a new governing body power over buildings, buses and taxes for Indianapolis schools, after adding key dates for when these changes would happen.

In ILEA bill, critics see taxation without representation but supporters see shared accountability

January 13, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s recommendations would drastically change Indianapolis schools and reduce the power of the elected IPS school board.

Indiana lawmakers react favorably to most ILEA recommendations, discuss replicating them

December 18, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Indiana legislative leaders leaders are already thinking about how they could replicate the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s proposal in other parts of the state.

Indiana said no to phones in class 2 years ago. Now, the law might get stricter.

December 4, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

GOP lawmakers have introduced bills that would mandate that phones be securely stored at school or left at home during the whole school day.

Lilly Endowment gives Marion County schools $460M but delays grant decision for IPS

December 2, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The grants will support a wide range of initiatives like new student programming, teacher training, and updated STEM and performing arts spaces.

School deregulation, IPS future expected to be among top topics for state legislators

November 19, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

While Indiana legislative leaders haven’t yet detailed their education priorities for 2026, they have a list of unfinished business to tackle when it comes to schools.

School referendums: 6 districts to seek funding for teacher pay, class size, buses

October 27, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

This year’s referendums are a test case in voter support at a time when Indiana is lowering property taxes and increasing how much of that funding some districts must share with charter schools.

Indiana submits federal funding flexibility request to Trump administration

October 20, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

If approved, the plan would change the ways the state and school districts can merge and disburse federal grant funding.

Indiana seeks contractors to improve middle school reading scores

September 11, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The state is seeking donations to supplement state funding for the pilot program, which middle schools would be able to opt into, said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner.

3 big questions as Indiana prepares to ask for federal education funding flexibility

September 9, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

State officials say their request would give schools more freedom to address their specific needs. But would funding reach those who need it?

Indiana third grade reading scores improve at record-breaking rate, reach pre-pandemic levels

August 13, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

State education officials say early intervention—along with a statewide shift to instruction backed by the science of reading—has played a critical role in improving proficiency.

Third of Indiana counties lack voucher-accepting private schools

August 7, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Voucher use has surged in recent years as Indiana lawmakers loosened eligibility requirements, but the lack of rural private schools that accept them means many students miss out.

Federal funds for low-performing schools would be redirected under Indiana flexibility request

July 25, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Among the changes would be a significant shift in School Improvement Grants, competitive grants that currently fund improvement plans at district and charter schools identified as low performing under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Indiana education officials to ask for federal funding as lump sum with fewer requirements

July 17, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The money would be available to more schools to use with fewer rules about where the money would go.

Matchbook Learning leader terminated after alcohol, airfare charged to school card

May 28, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana and Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

A credit card assigned to the former charter school official accrued tens of thousands of dollars in travel, high-end dining and alcohol purchases.

MAY 15-21, 2026

Digital Edition

New breakfast, brunch spot attracts outsized crowds

Dave Lindquist

State office aims to help small-business owners with succession plans

Joey Harris

Q&A with entrepreneur Harrison Painter on AI, marketing and feeling claustrophobic

Susan Orr

Previous Issues See Full Issue

Events

On May 26, The Indiana Lawyer will honor members of the legal profession who show a commitment to their field and the clients and communities they serve. Awards are presented in three categories: Distinguished Barristers, Up & Coming Lawyers, and Legal Support Stars.

We will also recognize one individual with Indiana Lawyer's most prestigious award: The Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a lawyer who has at least 25 years of experience in the legal profession and who has made contributions beyond the practice of law.

RSVP HERE!

More events

Nominations

IBJ’s 20 in their Twenties honors emerging leaders who are making an impact on their communities at the very start of their careers. These 20-somethings are entrepreneurs, engineers, volunteers and social justice advocates — and people who will continue to contribute in the decades ahead.

NOMINATE HERE!