Education
Indiana education department prepares to launch new data dashboard
Indiana education officials are weeks away from launching a new online dashboard that seeks to increase transparency around school performance data. The new Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) is expected to go live in December, although an exact launch date still has not been determined. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner told the Indiana […]
Biden student debt relief plan thrown out by Texas judge; new applications halted
WASHINGTON — Late Thursday a federal judge in Texas struck down the Biden administration’s student debt relief plan, ruling that the program is unlawful, in a blow to 16 million student debt borrowers already approved for relief. The U.S. Department of Education now is no longer accepting applications for the program, according to the student […]
Indiana higher education commission advances funding model, despite some pushback
Indiana’s higher education officials on Thursday approved recommendations for a new approach to funding higher education that is based on school-specific goals, rather than blanket recommendations. But some raised concerns about the prospective model, saying it still lacks clear goals for the state’s public colleges and universities. Others cautioned that it could unfairly shift the […]
Only half of Indiana school referendums get voter approval
Indiana voters on Tuesday rejected half of the K12 operating fund referendums in the state, making it one of the worst nights for the school ballot questions in the last decade. Three of the seven Indiana school districts that placed ballot questions to approve property-tax levies for operational funds failed to get enough voter approval. […]
‘Crossing the Finish Line’ helps thousands of high schoolers earn college credits, credentials
A statewide initiative funded by federal COVID-relief dollars has helped thousands of Indiana high school students finish up college credits and other high-value credentials, new data shows. The hopeful sign comes as state leaders continue to stress a need for more Hoosiers to earn post-high school credentials, whether at two- and four-year colleges, or through […]
Indiana state budget committee approves 35% increase to Frank O’Bannon Grant
Thousands of Hoosiers will now qualify to have most or all of their college tuition and fees covered by financial aid after state leaders green-lit a request to up the number of grant dollars available to each student. The State Budget Committee last week approved a 35% increase to the maximum base-award amounts available under […]
Indiana education officials finding ways to cut down, revamp state education standards
Indiana’s education leaders are revamping the state’s academic standards by cutting back current requirements and streamlining the content that teachers are required to cover in a school year. Determining what’s most important for Indiana students to learn is no easy task, however, as indicated by members of the Indiana State Board of Education during a […]
PAC led by former Indy mayor Bart Peterson gives big to pro-charter school candidates
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has donated more than $1 million to an Indiana political action committee chaired by a former Democratic mayor of Indianapolis. In turn, that pro-charter school PAC has become a large contributor to Indiana Republicans, campaign finance records show. Hoosiers for Great Public Schools was created in April 2020 and is headed […]
Commission recommends new funding model for higher education
Legislators will consider a new approach to funding higher education based on school-specific goals rather than blanket recommendations, and they got their first look at Wednesday morning’s State Budget Committee meeting. The proposed funding model comes from the Commission for Higher Education, which the General Assembly tasked with researching a new formula to cover costs […]
Indiana lawmakers weigh increased funding for school districts with at-risk, low-income students
In response to repeated requests from school officials and education advocates, Indiana lawmakers might be inclined to increase the amount of money the state awards to schools with at-risk and low-income student populations. The deliberations come ahead of the General Assembly’s January return to the Statehouse, when writing is set to begin on a new […]
Biden student debt forgiveness plan on temporary hold after appeals court ruling
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Biden administration from carrying out its student loan forgiveness plan, until the court makes a determination on a request for an injunction brought by six Republican-led states, according to multiple media reports. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided — for now — with […]
School nurses are an essential component to academic recovery in the post COVID-era
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s recent report on public health in Indiana shared one major finding that impacts Indiana schools in a big way — the need for more certified school nurses across the state. That report said school corporations in Indiana are required to employ at least one bachelor’s level registered nurse, and one registered nurse […]