Indianapolis turns up effort to lure more experienced teachers
It’s the newest effort by Indianapolis education leaders to build the pool of teachers at a time when many schools struggle to fill teaching vacancies and rely on temporary educators.
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Mind Trust CEO Harris leaving education reform group after years of influencing IPS
Brandon Brown, the senior vice president of the group who previously worked under Mayor Greg Ballard as charter school director, will succeed David Harris as CEO.
IPS has second chance to learn playbook, cram for referendum
The school district’s decision to postpone planned ballot measures for $725 million raises questions about why leadership couldn’t get it right the first time.
Indiana Senate backs control shift on troubled schools
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill further reducing the power of the Gary school board while allowing Ball State University to take over Muncie's schools.
Indiana House approves statewide school-safety audit
The measure passed Monday on a 96-0 vote. It comes in the wake of a Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 dead.
IPS delays tax-hike referendums to November after criticism
Indianapolis Public Schools is backing off on its plan to ask voters in May to support a major tax hike to pay for the city’s schools, instead deciding to work with the Indy Chamber to revise its proposal and delay the referendums until November.
IPS considers scheduling revamp, but families see practical problems
Students in Indianapolis’ largest district will likely start and end school at different times next year. But when it comes to choosing a new schedule, the district is facing tension.
Political Action Committee formed to back IPS tax-hike referendums
Local business and community leaders have formed a political action committee, named “Vote Yes for IPS,” to support the upcoming May 8 primary referendums.
House panel advances bill requiring high schools to offer computer science classes
The concept of requiring schools to offer computer science courses is part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2018 legislative agenda.
Realtor group’s opposition a possible blow to school district’s tax-hike bid
A politically influential group representing real estate agents is taking the rare step of opposing Indianapolis Public Schools’ $725 million proposal to raise property taxes to increase school funding.
Indiana lawmakers weigh ‘opt-in’ requirement for sex education
The proposal would require parents to be notified—and give them the opportunity to review—any curriculum dealing with sexual activity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
IPS leaders could scale back their appeal for tax increases
The Indianapolis Public Schools board is likely consider a proposal next week that would reduce the district’s planned funding request. IPS officials have been planning to ask voters for up to $936 million over eight years.
State official criticizes IPS bid for almost $1B in additional tax dollars
A member of the Indiana State Board of Education said the district’s plan to ask voters this May to approve two referendums to increase funding has not been transparent. He also called the proposed tax increase way too high.
Education chief DeVos makes covert visit to Indy innovation school
Without the knowledge of the Indianapolis Public Schools administration or board, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos filmed a segment at the school for an upcoming TV special on innovation in education and her one-year anniversary in office.
Lawmaker kills proposal to let schools hire unlicensed teachers
Less than a week after introducing the idea, an Indiana senator killed a proposal Tuesday that would have allowed school districts to hire up to 10 percent of their teachers without a traditional state teaching licenses.
IPS approves new budget plan that ties funding to student needs
Indianapolis’ largest school district will only make a few changes to the rules that govern how much money schools get next year. But some schools, including those that serve many undocumented students, could get less money.
Bill to strengthen school-district oversight draws criticism
Some Indiana school officials say a bill that would create a system to monitor school districts' financial health and punish struggling schools goes too far
Computer science education bill passes Senate committee
A Senate committee unanimous approved legislation that would require that all school districts in Indiana add computer science to their curriculum.
New enrollment system gets 3,500 applications
OneMatch is a web-based application process for IPS and 90 percent of Marion County charter schools.
Legislature debates expanding computer science in high schools
Those in the trenches say structural barriers—the most significant seems to be teacher training and quality—must be solved before basic classes that explain how computers work and more advanced coding and web-development courses can flourish throughout Indiana’s secondary schools.