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Why Indiana school districts are rushing to put tax referendums on the November ballot

June 10, 2026

School finance experts estimate 40 to 50 districts could ask voters to approve local property tax measures, driven by a series of changes to state law.

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IPS students earn health care credentials before college

May 22, 2026

Marc D. Allan

At Crispus Attucks High School, students have many career-prep options through the school’s health care pathways program.

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Indianapolis Public Schools transfers unused land to Habitat for Humanity

May 14, 2026 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

IPS will give seven unused properties to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis to build up to 16 homes as part of a broader push to make affordable homeownership possible for IPS employees.

Indiana board finalizes new A-F school accountability system

March 5, 2026 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

The rule heads to state Attorney General Todd Rokita, who has 45 days to sign off, and then to Gov. Mike Braun for final approval.

Indiana Senate sends ‘bell-to-bell’ school cellphone ban to governor

February 26, 2026 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Restrictions apply to common student devices, which schools must either prohibit entirely or require students to keep powered off and inaccessible during the school day.

Braun opts into new federal school choice program

January 23, 2026 | Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Families can access scholarships through eligible scholarship-granting organizations to support qualified educational expenses, including costs incurred for children at public and private schools.

IPS experiences biggest enrollment loss since pandemic, state records show

January 21, 2026 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana and Thomas Wilburn, Chalkbeat

The enrollment dips come as schools across the country experience a continual post-COVID population drop that could stem from a number of factors, including declining birth rates, stricter immigration policy, and other school options.

Indiana Senate advances bell-to-bell school cellphone limits despite bipartisan concerns

January 21, 2026 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Under current state law, students are prohibited from using phones during instructional time, but they can use them during lunch and passing periods.

In ILEA bill, critics see taxation without representation but supporters see shared accountability

January 13, 2026 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s recommendations would drastically change Indianapolis schools and reduce the power of the elected IPS school board.

Indiana high schoolers set record graduation rate in 2025

January 6, 2026 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

It represents the third straight year of post-pandemic improvement kicked off in 2023, following a decade-low graduation rate in 2022.

How a fractured Indianapolis school system reached the verge of a huge power shakeup

December 22, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

That the city’s schools sit on the cusp of radical change is the culmination of over half a century’s worth of disruptions for Indianapolis schools that opened the door for education reformers and their allies to advance their vision.

Indiana lawmakers react favorably to most ILEA recommendations, discuss replicating them

December 18, 2025 | Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Indiana legislative leaders leaders are already thinking about how they could replicate the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s proposal in other parts of the state.

Indianapolis Local Education Alliance backs plan to create new authority to oversee IPS, charter schools

December 17, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

The new corporation would have the power to impose property taxes, which it would distribute to both charter and IPS schools.

Here are 5 things the mayor and IPS superintendent want in the ILEA recommendations

December 17, 2025 | MJ Slaby, Chalkbeat Indiana

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance is scheduled to vote Wednesday night on final recommendations about the future of the city’s district and charter schools.

Indiana school leaders warn property tax reforms are destabilizing public education budgets

December 4, 2025 | Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

A majority of surveyed superintendents report staff cuts, deferred maintenance and looming referendums.

Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc. debuts microelectronics program for high schools in new training hub

November 14, 2025 | Marek Mazurek

The fledgling program is starting with 12 students, but Regional Opportunities Initiatives Inc. CEO Tina Peterson predicted that the training hub will become a crucial part of southern Indiana’s microelectronics and defense ecosystem.

A new rating system could help decide which schools close or expand. Will Indianapolis education officials create one?

November 10, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

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

November 6, 2025 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

The lawsuit alleges Indianapolis Public Schools maintains policies that violate Indiana’s anti-sanctuary statute.

Here’s how many students were held back thanks to Indiana’s retention law

November 6, 2025 | MJ Slaby, Chalkbeat Indiana

This is the first school year students were held back under the 2024 law that mandates retention for students who don’t pass the state’s reading test, the IREAD-3.

Indianapolis charter, private schools approved for 3-year state facilities, transportation pilot

October 22, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

Transportation and facilities are two of the most challenging topics for charter schools, which have historically not received property tax funding.

JUNE 12-18, 2026

Digital Edition

Orr Fellowship sees success in Evansville expansion

Susan Orr

Grand Park Sports Campus adds NFL flag football youth event

Mickey Shuey

Q&A: CEO leads OrthoIndy through period of growth

Daniel Bradley

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