Charter school draws heat over $100 referral reward
Carpe Diem Meridian charter school in Indianapolis offered $100 Marsh grocery gift cards to anyone who referred a student who enrolled — an incentive that some critics say went too far.
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Lawmakers consider shifting Ritz’s power to state board
A wide-ranging bill discussed Tuesday would give the Indiana State Board of Education authority over testing, standards, student data, state takeovers and teacher evaluation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lilly: $6.1M from businesses raised for preschool plan
The Indianapolis business community, led by Eli Lilly and Co., has already netted more than half of its goal to support the city’s recently approved preschool program to provide low-income families with early-education programs.
Hogsett looks to forge his own path on education
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, a front runner to become mayor of Indianapolis in 2016, might be less activist than the last two men to hold the job when it comes to education.
Board takes control of state takeover from Ritz
Wide-ranging recommendations by the Indiana Board of Education also ask the Legislature for more funding and a quicker path to take over schools, and even school districts.
After uncertainty, Ballard’s preschool plan passes easily
The City-County Council voted Monday night to approve a $40 million public-private preschool partnership between the city, business and philanthropic leaders.
IPS OKs Shortridge High School student shift over objections
Some parents complained the move, which will bring more International Baccalaureate students to Shortridge, puts the interests of affluent north-side families ahead of those of other families.
IPS plan would close Key, shift programs at four schools
One of Indianapolis Public Schools' most famous schools would shut down and four others would see dramatic changes to their offerings under a plan presented to the school board Tuesday night.
Ballard’s revived preschool plan takes big step forward
Indianapolis appears to be on its way to launching a $40 million preschool program to serve the city’s poorest children.
Ballard’s charter school office could start charging schools a fee
As part of the negotiations over the city budget and a preschool proposal, a 1-percent charter school management fee is being considered.
Challengers crush all three IPS school board members in election
Voters elect Mary Ann Sullivan, Kelly Bentley and LaNier Echols by wide margins after expensive race.
Expected low turnout makes IPS races hard to predict
On the line is whether the district will continue to move toward cooperation with charter schools and the business community, or instead slow the move toward aggressive reforms.
IPS dumps Teach Plus contract as board members trade barbs
The school board reversed course and dumped a contract with a national teacher program, as angry board members accused each other of playing politics.
IPS board president calls meeting on Teach Plus contract
The special meeting sends signals that the board could back out of the $750,000 program, which apparently was launched in IPS before the board formally approved it last week.
IPS plans to fight back against charter expansion in 2015
IPS board members met this week to prepare a lobbying strategy for the Indiana General Assembly’s session that begins in January. Chief among their goals: reining in the state takeover process.