Indiana charter school backers fret about losing movement’s edge
State lawmakers inadvertently made it too easy for poor-performing schools to stay open, some advocates say.
Charter Schools
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More public schools receive A grades, fewer get F’s
More Indiana schools received top grades under a system the Indiana State Board of Education approved Friday after months of political wrangling. Among the F’s was a charter school that received a controversial A rating last year.
Bennett finds state-level work with ACT testing
Former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett has found new work helping to pitch a Common Core test to state education leaders.
Tech companies building a charitable niche
An emerging group of software companies focused on serving charities—combined with the fact the city is home to the only philanthropy college in the country—could make the area a hotbed for an often-ignored area of business.
Former Star reporter to head new education website
Chalkbeat Indiana will focus on Indianapolis Public Schools, the Indiana General Assembly and the State Board of Education. Editor Scott Elliott took the reins on Monday.
Ritz: Bennett broke state rule with grade change
Ritz told Democratic activists last week "If you believe those (changed grades) were done because they should have been, you're fooling yourself."
UPDATE: Review of A-F system finds no special treatment
A legislative review has found former Indiana state schools superintendent Tony Bennett changed the grade for a charter school as a matter of “quality control.” The findings say the Christel House school in Indianapolis didn’t receive special treatment.
New school to anchor Central State project
The first new non-residential building at the former Central State Hospital campus, at the corner of West Washington Street and Tibbs Avenue, will be a charter school. Christel House Academy West broke ground last month on about nine acres donated by the city.
Panel to make recommendations for grading system
State leaders have created another new education panel – this one to help develop an A-F grading system to replace one that has come under fire following accusations it was adjusted to help a specific school.
Pence aide leaving post, had role in grade scandal
Gov. Mike Pence’s chief lobbyist, Heather Neal, who was chief of staff to former Indiana schools Superintendent Tony Bennett last year, will join Limestone Strategies as president of its public affairs practice.
UPDATE: Indy schools seek records on state takeovers
Indianapolis Public Schools leaders filed a public records request Thursday seeking information on the 2011 takeover of four schools amid questions about the integrity of the state's A-F school grading formula.
Fate of Indiana school grading system uncertain
The American Federation of Teachers says Indiana should immediately suspend its A-F school grading system because of emails showing former schools chief Tony Bennett changed the grading formula to benefit a top GOP donor's school.
Bennett resigns as Florida education chief after emails reveal grade fix
Florida’s education commissioner resigned Thursday amid allegations that he changed the grade of a charter school run by a major Republican donor during his previous job as Indiana’s school chief.
Pence stands by school-grading system
Pence said the system is "an essential part" of accountability measures designed to improve education in Indiana.
Report: Bennett changed GOP donor’s school grade
Former Indiana school Superintendent Tony Bennett and his staff scrambled last fall to ensure influential donor Christel DeHaan’s charter school received an “A,” despite poor test scores in algebra that initially earned it a “C.”
Pence picks charter school chief as top education aide
The governor's office says Pence's appointment of Claire Fiddian-Green as his special assistant for education innovation and reform is effective July 15.
Operators of takeover schools worry about funding
Private companies that were hired to run five Indiana schools taken over by the state for poor performance say they might not be able to continue because of funding concerns.
ITT Educational branches into charter schools
The for-profit educator won approval last month to start a charter school for 11th- and 12th-graders inside one of its ITT Technical Institutes in Indianapolis.
Goodwill to open four more dropout recovery schools
But further expansion is on hold because of a state freeze on new adult-focused charter schools. Lawmakers are concerned the schools are siphoning funds from K-12 education.
State charter schools leader takes national job
Russ Simnick, president of the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association since 2008, has taken a job with the Washington, D.C.-based National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the IPCSA announced Tuesday.