States in ‘triage mode’ over $6B in withheld K-12 funding
School systems are unable to draw down funding, jeopardizing summer programs, hiring and early-year planning for the 2025–26 school year. Indiana stands to lose out on about $100 million.
Preschool
Marion County preschool costs set to rise as state cuts funding
At least seven public school districts in the Indianapolis area are raising the cost of preschool for the coming year, as the state makes cuts to its state preschool voucher program, On My Way Pre-K.
Committee unanimously supports bill to streamline Indiana’s child care licensing process
The bill would allow single-owner child care companies or nonprofits, like YMCAs, to open multiple locations under one license.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library kicks off statewide in Indiana
The program provides free, high quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five on a monthly basis, regardless of family income.
AG Rokita sues Biden administration over preschool masks, vaccine mandates
Indiana and 23 other states filed the suit to stop rules that require students as young as 2 years old to wear masks if they attend a preschool program funded by Head Start.
Four ways Biden’s plan for families would affect schools, children
President Joe Biden proposed a massive package of policies Wednesday designed to reduce child poverty rates and make preschool and higher education more accessible.
Biden to propose free preschool for 5 million children
Funding the initiative would be a tax increase on the rich, most notably a near doubling of the capital gains tax rate on incomes above $1 million, to 39.6%.
New program aims to train more black men to become Indianapolis preschool teachers
Organizers hope to address the barriers that discourage men of color from working as preschool teachers, including a lack of representation in preschool classrooms and the misconception that teaching preschool is like a babysitting job.
National report removes Indiana’s pre-K program from rankings
An annual national report on preschool dumped Indiana from this year’s rankings, excluding the state’s fledging On My Way Pre-K program because of a controversial requirement that bars some families in need from signing up.
Connie Bond Stuart: Advocating for early education matters, both today and tomorrow
We tell our customers that the choices they make right now matter tomorrow. But these words would ring hollow if we didn’t live by them ourselves. I urge you to join us and advocate for those who do not have the opportunity or means to speak for themselves.
Indiana leaves $6M in state funds on table after slow pre-K signup
Indiana expects to leave state funding for pre-kindergarten untouched this year due to a slower-than-hoped expansion, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.
Holcomb’s agenda for 2018 targets workforce issues, education, opioids
Gov. Eric Holcomb said there would be “no more stove-pipe approach,” referring to criticisms by some legislative leaders that the workforce development system is convoluted and divided into isolated silos.
Indiana accepting pre-K applications from 10 new counties
The preschool program for children from low-income families previously was offered in just five counties, but lawmakers recently expanded it.
Officials say state-funded preschool program has openings
Spots for children of low-income families are available in Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties for the On My Way Pre-K program.
Indiana expands pre-K program to 15 more counties
Participating local providers in those counties will be expected to enroll children for the 2018-19 school year, with the possibility of a limited program beginning next January.
Holcomb signs pre-K expansion, needle exchange bills
The preschool pilot will expand from five counties to up to 20 under the bill.
Holcomb plans to sign pre-K expansion bill
Holcomb says the bill provides access to high-quality early education for “thousands” of poor families.
As debate rages over pre-K funding, families already in program see gains
Fifty-one percent of respondents in an early state evaluation of the pre-K program said their families had been able to increase their work or school hours while their children participated in the program.
Senate panel guts House proposal on preschool education
A House bill that would increase state funding to send low-income children to preschool was gutted in an Indiana Senate committee, setting up a potential clash between the two chambers.
House pre-K proposal draws backlash for voucher language
Tying an expansion of Indiana’s pre-school program to its more politically touchy voucher system has drawn criticism from House Democrats, pre-K advocates and even some Republicans.