Trump administration takes major step toward dismantling Education Department
Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies.
Education & Workforce Development
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IPS board members float reducing district’s boundaries, but getting buy-in could be tricky
If done today, reducing the boundaries of Indianapolis Public Schools to only include Center Township would remove 47 district and charter schools from IPS borders.
Purdue to add AI competency as graduation requirement
The new AI competency requirement, which could launch as soon as next year, is part of Purdue University’s existing partnership with Google.
Heartland BioWorks inks biomanufacturing workforce training agreement
The Bloomington-based Applied Research Institute, which manages Heartland BioWorks, said the agreement will position Indiana as a “central nexus for biomanufacturing training and innovation.”
Proposed IPS teachers contract would provide smaller raises amid shaky financial outlook
The raises come at an increasingly precarious time for IPS, which faces a funding cliff. The district is projected to end 2026 with an estimated $44 million deficit, according to cash flow projections from September.
Congressional report cites Purdue in push for tighter limits on Chinese students
A congressional report uses Purdue University as a case study to argue for tighter limits on Chinese students and academic partnerships, even as it praises the school’s research security policies.
A new rating system could help decide which schools close or expand. Will Indianapolis education officials create one?
As the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance considers changes to the city’s education landscape, supporters of charters and traditional public schools have indicated support for a universal school-rating system.
Rokita files lawsuit against IPS for ‘frustrating’ immigration officials
The lawsuit alleges Indianapolis Public Schools maintains policies that violate Indiana’s anti-sanctuary statute.
Avon voters approve school tax renewal despite Beckwith opposition
The decision came as communities in four other Indiana districts also approved school tax questions in special elections.
Lilly Endowment offers up to $500M to Indiana colleges, universities for AI study, strategies
The initiative is expected to “support Indiana colleges and universities in their ongoing efforts to address the implications of a rapidly evolving technology in their institutions and the lives of their students,” Lilly Endowment said.
IPS school board approves sale of John Marshall building for $350,000
The sale of a 16-acre portion of the 40-acre John Marshall campus at 10101 E. 38th St. marks the end of the district’s history with the school, which first opened in 1967.
No new Indiana child care vouchers to be issued until 2027
Family and Social Services Administration leaders announced the moratorium at a quarterly fiscal meeting Wednesday, in the agency’s latest strategy to contain enrollment—and cut expenses.
IPS changes Office of Racial Equity amid national backlash to DEI
The transition was meant to ensure “that every student has what they need to be successful, regardless of their identity,” the district said in a statement Wednesday.
Braun taps DWD commissioner to lead IEDC
Gov. Mike Braun on Tuesday announced the appointment of Josh Richardson as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Report: Indiana workforce system seeks bigger role in meeting state’s labor needs
A system of regional workforce development boards wants to lead the way on solutions to Indiana’s “immense” labor needs—but fragmentation, funding and other challenges limit its effectiveness, the Indiana Workforce Alliance has found.
IPS plans to use $1.2M from sale of paintings on arts education
Many of the pieces of art, which date from the 1890s through the 1970s, once hung in IPS schools that are now closed, according to the district.
School referendums: 6 districts to seek funding for teacher pay, class size, buses
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.
Trump administration seeks to move special education to different agency
Moving the program would not necessarily impact distribution of funding to the states. The money for the current school year has already been sent to states.
Big Tech is paying millions to train teachers on AI, in a push to bring chatbots into classrooms
For the nation’s 4 million teachers to stay relevant and help students use the technology wisely, teachers unions have forged an unlikely partnership with the world’s largest technology companies.
Indiana moves closer to new grading system for schools
A second draft of an accountability system for Indiana schools was presented to the State Board of Education by Indiana Department of Education officials on Wednesday.