Proposals on teacher pay, scholarships back from dead
The state legislature on Wednesday brought back to life all or part of two education bills that had pretty much been given up for dead.
Shaina Cavazos
Articles
Ritz: Indiana shouldn’t expand its voucher program
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz made it clear Tuesday that she won’t support legislative efforts to expand taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Foes of ISTEP bill say it doesn’t protect all schools equally
A bill speeding through the Legislature that would give schools relief from last year’s drop in ISTEP scores won’t offer much protection for the state’s most struggling schools.
Pence signs on to Ritz approach to ‘pause’ sanctions
Democrats and Republicans are backing a proposal expected to be considered by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. The bill proposes schools may not receive a lower grade for 2015 than they received in 2014.
House leader suggests dumping ISTEP for new exam
An idea to scrap Indiana’s state standardized test in favor of an “off-the-shelf” test could make a comeback during this year’s legislative session.
Lawmaker suggests tackling ISTEP issue on Organization Day
Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, on Wednesday called for the Indiana legislature to take the dramatic step of passing a bill next week to protect schools and teachers from possible consequences of an expected steep drop in ISTEP scores.
Pence joins Ritz in calling for pause of testing sanctions
The governor does an about-face and says accountability measures “should reflect fairness to our students, our teachers and our schools.”
Recommendation would slash ISTEP passing rates
The State Board of Education is poised to vote on a recommendation from educator panels that would reduce ISTEP passing rates about 16 percentage points in English and 24 percentage points in math, compared with 2014.
New rules threaten dual-credit courses, educators say
The rule changes are meant to bolster the quality of teaching in “dual-credit” courses, which can count for both high school and college credit. But they could have unintended consequences.
Federal officials: Ritz erred with charter school funding cuts
An email from the U.S. Department of Education to the Indiana Department of Education says the state incorrectly applied provisions of federal law when determining this year’s Title I poverty aid for charter schools.
Some worry new diplomas exclude those with special needs
Parents and educators pleaded with the Indiana State Board of Education to change a state law that they argue could rob students of equal access to the high school diplomas that fit them best.
Perceived teacher shortage may be different problem, educators say
In Indiana, as in many other places, the problem isn’t the number of certified teachers, but a mismatch between candidates and available jobs. And the situation isn’t as bad or out of the ordinary as recent media coverage has suggested, educators say.
3 Marion County districts OK funding boosts; Brownsburg voters say ‘no’
Wayne Township, Perry Township and Beech Grove schools all passed referendums, but voters in Brownsburg rejected two proposals.
3 Marion County school districts ask voters for extra funding
Wayne Township, Perry Township and Beech Grove school officials say they need tax increases to provide relief from property tax caps the Legislature passed in 2010.
Education roundup: One bill reducing super’s power left
The Senate Education Committee is considering numerous pieces of education-related legislation, including a bill aimed at removing the state superintendent of public instruction as chair of the Indiana State Board of Education.
School chiefs weigh in on proposed new funding formula
Leaders from some of Indiana's poorest school districts said Tuesday they fear proposed funding cuts they're facing, while those from growing districts are worried proposed increases for them won't be enough.