Bills that passed, failed in this year’s General Assembly
A look at some major legislation considered this year by the Indiana General Assembly.
Department of Education
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Indiana panels OK teacher merit pay, voucher bills
Two pieces of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education plan, a voucher plan that would direct taxpayer money to private schools and a merit pay bill that links teacher pay to student performance, cleared key legislative hurdles Wednesday.
Panel OKs bill linking student tests, teacher pay
Teacher pay would be linked to student performance under a merit pay bill that has cleared an Indiana House committee.
Senate OKs plan aimed at expanding charter schools
The Indiana Senate has approved Gov. Mitch Daniels' proposal aimed at expanding charter schools, marking the first piece of the governor's sweeping education agenda to clear both the House and Senate.
Advocates: Indiana can lead U.S. in schools overhaul
Education advocates told hundreds of cheering supporters at a Statehouse rally Wednesday that Indiana could lead the nation in overhauling schools.
Indiana schools chief says education changes needed
State-funded vouchers for private schools and a shift of money to charter schools are necessary steps in the effort to improve Indiana's education system, the state schools superintendent said Tuesday.
Senate panel considers proposal to expand charters
The Senate Education Committee heard hours of testimony about the bill and details of a new study that found Indiana students who transferred to charter schools showed greater learning gains than their peers who stayed in traditional public schools.
Indiana panel backs private school voucher bill
A contentious proposal to use taxpayer money to help Indiana parents send their children to private schools cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday.
Bill would send taxpayer cash to private schools
Indiana lawmakers will start the debate Tuesday on the most controversial plank of Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education platform: a plan to use taxpayer money to help parents send their children to private schools
State reports big gains in percent passing AP exams
About 10 percent of 2009 graduates earned a passing score on an AP exam, but that number jumped to 12 percent for 2010 graduates.
Indiana teachers rally against GOP education plan
More than 1,000 Indiana teachers swarmed the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday for a rowdy rally denouncing the sweeping education proposals moving through the Republican-dominated state House and Senate.
Charter school’s nimble approach could become the norm
Indianapolis Metropolitan High School implemented a school-wide overhaul in its educational approach in only three months. The charter school might be the face of the future for all Indiana public schools.
Class size takes back seat in education debate
In his State of the State address, Gov. Mitch Daniels called class size “virtually meaningless” in determining which kids succeed.
Advocates say most Hoosiers want school changes
Advocates met at the Statehouse Monday to push education proposals that have renewed life during this legislative session because of support from Gov. Mitch Daniels and leaders in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.
Push for sweeping school changes picking up steam
Leaders of a school choice group and the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association are slated to be at the Statehouse Monday to talk about public support for proposals such as vouchers that would use taxpayer money to help send children to private schools.
Schools chief, union head recruit mentors for children
State school superintendent Tony Bennett, a Republican, and the leader of Indiana's largest teachers union made a rare joint appearance Tuesday to promote a mentoring program.
Governor wants revamped teacher evaluations
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and state schools superintendent Tony Bennett say Indiana needs a more honest look at the job teachers and principals are doing.
Indiana’s graduation rate improves to 84 percent
The state Department of Education says in a report issued Monday that 64 percent of Indiana's public high schools improved their graduation rates from 2009 to 2010.
Governor’s education agenda includes vouchers
Gov. Mitch Daniels and State Superintendent Tony Bennett pitched their ideas Wednesday to Indiana’s Education Roundtable, a group of education and business leaders.
State memo: Schools won’t see more budget cuts
Memo from Superintendent Tony Bennett to district administrators says there are “no current plans for reductions”