This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Indiana lawmakers are moving to eliminate state college degrees that aren’t earning graduates enough on the job market, mirroring the federal government’s targeting of career programs delivering poor results. SB 199 appears to only apply to a handful of degrees at […]
Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana
Posted inEducation, Partner Content, Politics & Policy
Money for Indiana After-School Programs, Professional Development in Limbo After Trump Freeze
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. An estimated $107 million in federal funds to support after-school programs, academic enrichment, English language learners, and more in Indiana are in limbo following a decision by the Trump administration to withhold the funding as it completes a program review. States […]
Posted inEducation, Politics & Policy, State Government
Lawmakers End Racial and Ethnic Studies Course Mandate, Make More Education Changes as Session Ends
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Indiana lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session early Friday with a final vote on a two-year state budget that provides a 2% annual increase in funding for schools and establishes a universal school voucher program to begin next year. They also passed several education bills that are […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content, Politics & Policy
Indiana Lawmakers Push Bills Targeting DEI, Sex Ed, and Curriculum
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Indiana senators discussed and passed controversial bills on Wednesday about social studies curriculum, sex education materials, and chaplains in public schools. One would require schools to seek school board approval for and publicize information about their sex ed curriculum. Another would allow chaplains to work as counselors in […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content, Politics & Policy, State Government
What Indiana Lawmakers Said About the State Budget and Property Tax Reform
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Uncertainty about Indiana’s budget marked the unofficial start of the 2025 legislative session this week — and comes at a particularly bad time for schools. Earlier this month, legislative leaders agreed with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce that the state will […]
Posted inEducation, Mental Health, Partner Content
Student Mental Health Needs Are Growing. Will the Legislature Help?
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Doreen Waldbieser, a school counselor in Vigo County, stepped to the microphone Nov. 8 at a Department of Education hearing on diplomas and began alphabetically listing her counseling duties: Attend active shooter training. Analyze transcripts. Answer emails and phone calls. Change schedules. Conduct screenings. Connect students to assistance. […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content
New Diploma Requirements Could Impact Indiana’s College-Going Students
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters A plan to refocus Indiana’s graduation requirements on work experiences would eliminate a diploma linked to college-going without providing a clear alternative for students seeking postsecondary education. The proposal would effectively eliminate the Academic Honors diploma option, the diploma that’s linked […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content
Indiana’s new diplomas emphasize flexibility for older students
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters A proposed redesign of Indiana’s high school graduation requirements to emphasize student choice and work-based learning has drawn concerns from educators who say it’s too much change too soon. The plan would offer Indiana students beginning with the class of 2029 […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content
New ‘Intellectual Diversity’ Law Could Have Major Effects on Indiana Teacher Training
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters In a Ball State classroom on a recent Tuesday, professor Sheron Fraser-Burgess told her class to brace themselves for the “really controversial” argument from their reading: “There’s no such thing as reverse ‘-ism.’ Women can be just as prejudiced as men, […]
Posted inEducation, Partner Content, State Government
Here Are the Education Bills Approved by the 2024 Indiana Legislature
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters Stricter rules on school attendance, reading proficiency, and cellphone use in the classroom will affect Indiana students and schools beginning next year under legislation passed in the General Assembly’s 2024 session. Lawmakers wrapped the session late Friday, nearly a week earlier […]