Slightly more Indianapolis families opt for in-person learning for 2nd semester
More families are rethinking at-home learning because it isn’t going well for their children or they’re worried about negative long-term learning effects.
IPS
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IPS weighs eliminating school bus service for thousands of students
If the Indianapolis Public Schools board approves the most drastic cuts, about 5,600 high school students and 4,000 elementary school students could lose district-provided transportation.
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Q&A: IPS superintendent talks masks, social distancing and educating kids
IBJ reporter Samm Quinn talked with Superintendent Aleesia Johnson about how returning has gone so far and other impacts COVID-19 has had on the state’s largest public school system.
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Things to watch as Indianapolis Public Schools begins return to classrooms
Indianapolis Public Schools’ younger students headed back to classrooms Monday to resume in-person learning for the first time since March.
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IPS plans staggered in-person return in October after cautious online start
The plan is based on improved coronavirus data in Marion County. The city’s average positivity rate—the percentage of people who test positive for the coronavirus—has hovered near 5% for several weeks, according to state data.
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Articles
IPS seats two new board members, strengthening charter support
Indianapolis Public Schools swore in two new board members and two incumbents Monday night. All four have the backing of pro-school choice political action committees.
IPS officials consider one-year extension for innovation schools
Without data to paint a picture of academic success or failure, Indianapolis Public Schools will likely delay for a year renewing the contracts of four privately run schools under its supervision.
Charter allies sweep IPS school board election to win four seats
The board faces a host of challenges, including how to cut the district’s spending, how to fulfill its commitment to racial equity, and how to stem the learning loss wrought by school closures during the pandemic.
Control of IPS school board up in air with two close races
The vigorous campaign pitted well-financed supporters of the current IPS administration against opponents who are critical of the district’s collaboration with charter schools.
IPS superintendent calls out public policy decisions neglecting Blacks, Latinos
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson on Wednesday pushed new initiatives to promote equity and called out Indiana decision-makers for asking district officials to accept scarcity and to “do more with less.”
Charter backers battle to preserve edge on IPS school board
With four seats on the seven-member board up for election, the outcome could easily shift the balance of power in the district.
IPS board candidate resigned from previous post after financial questions
A candidate for the Indianapolis Public Schools board resigned from his position as president of the Indiana Young Democrats this spring amid a controversy over his unauthorized withdrawal of $3,800 from the group’s account.
Political groups give more than $200K to charter-friendly IPS board candidates
Deep-pocketed political action committees have thrown their support into four races for Indianapolis Public Schools board seats, helping candidates who back partnerships with charter schools to far outraise their competitors.
City, Mind Trust to spend $88,000 to extend virtual learning pods
The additional funding—$24,000 from the city and $64,000 from the Mind Trust—will keep three of the 14 community learning sites open through the fall semester.
IPS board candidates debate innovation schools, racial equity, budget cuts
Four seats on the seven-member board are up for election Nov. 3. Advocacy groups have drawn the usual battle lines between candidates who back innovation schools and those who are skeptical of the strategy.
Schools that are mostly Black, Latino favor starting online, survey says
Districts where the vast majority of students are white are more than three times as likely as school districts that enroll mostly students of color to be open for some in-person learning, according to an analysis conducted by The Associated Press and Chalkbeat.
Memory Bank: ‘Masters of Disaster’ chess player takes on Mayor Hudnut in 1983
In 1983, a chess team from IPS School No. 27 took on an elite private school from Manhattan in the National Elementary School Chess Championship—and won.
IPS board delays return to classrooms until at least October
IPS struggled with the shift to remote instruction in March, but officials said they were taking steps to mitigate problems this time around.
Marion County health officials cap middle, high school capacity at 50%
Marion County Public Health Department Director Virginia Caine also recommended that high-risk teachers and students be allowed to opt out of in-person instruction.
IPS officials want to start school year with all-virtual classes
If the proposal is approved by the school district’s board on Thursday, IPS will delay in-person instruction at least until October.
IPS delays school reopenings due to COVID-19 concerns
In-person classes and remote learning will now begin on Aug. 17, instead of the previously planned Aug. 3 start. Families can also reconsider whether they want full-time virtual learning when school starts.
Nearly $1M for hand sanitizer: Local leaders size up costs of reopening schools
Two Indianapolis school leaders warned Thursday that the costs to reopen schools in the fall will likely exceed what their districts received in federal aid to pay for additional safety precautions against the coronavirus.
Indianapolis officials wait to green-light school reopenings
Marion County Public Health Department Director Virginia Caine said she is “very optimistic” that schools will be able to reopen, and she aims to have a definitive answer by July 15.
Six ways Indianapolis Public Schools will be different when buildings reopen
With the next school year rapidly approaching, the state’s largest district is planning for the challenges it must tackle for staff and students to return safely for in-person instruction.