Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

David Long

legislative update

Indiana
March 27, 2017

GOP plan to appoint Indiana’s schools chief claws its way back to a win in Senate panel

The Senate Rules Committee passed and amended a bill on Monday changing how the state’s top education official is selected.

Indiana
January 21, 2016

It’s over: Pence signs bills pausing ISTEP consequences for one year

After nearly two years of debate, Pence and lawmakers bowed to Ritz’s solution to a big test score drop.

Indiana
November 17, 2015

Republican proposal would offer aspiring teachers free college tuition

A new bill would give Indiana college students a chance to get tuition fully paid for by the state if they agree to spend five years teaching after they graduate.

Indiana
November 16, 2015

Lawmakers look to cut teachers a break, but not schools

Republicans plan to move quickly in January on a bill to relax ISTEP sanctions for teachers but want to keep A-F grades for schools.

Indiana
November 11, 2015

State senator: Legislature should pass a bill now to relieve ISTEP sanctions

Sen. Mark Stoops proposed a bill to relieve schools and teachers from possible test score drops — But he wants it passed before lawmakers convene for the 2016 session.

Indiana
August 18, 2015

Duncan: Indiana's preschool pilot should be open to all kids

Despite criticism from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that Indiana’s preschool pilot program should not shut out children who are in the country without permission, Gov. Mike Pence’s office said the rule is needed to stay consistent with the way federal preschool programs work.

Indiana
July 13, 2015

The basics of Mike Pence on education: A battle for control

As governor, Mike Pence has pushed for career and technical education, school choice, tougher school accountability and changes to standards and tests.

Indiana
May 4, 2015

Indiana State Board of Education in limbo after legislature's move

Gov. Mike Pence made a bold call in December for big changes he said would “restore harmony” to the contentious Indiana State Board…

Indiana
February 11, 2015

Pence says he and Ritz will cooperate to shorten ISTEP

Shifting away from Monday’s sharp criticism of state Superintendent Glenda Ritz, Gov. Mike Pence today said the two would work with legislative leaders to shorten…

Indiana
February 2, 2015

These 9 education changes could move ahead in the legislature — but 6 others probably won't

There's no question a huge battle will take place over the role of state Superintendent Glenda Ritz on the Indiana State Board of Education. But of the 122 education-focused bills the Indiana General Assembly is expected to consider, just a fraction will make it through to Gov. Mike Pence's desk in April to become law.

Indiana
June 18, 2014

Top Republican, Democrat take opposite views of NCLB waiver concerns

In less than two weeks, Indiana could potentially lose its federal No Child Left Behind law waiver unless state leaders can convince the U.S. Department…

Indiana
March 19, 2014

How Indiana jumped from Common Core but got on board with preschool

Simultaneously Hoosiers dropped out of of a group of 45 states that have agreed to share standards while also joining in on another education front by becoming the 42nd state to offer financial aid for preschool. Driving the state in these different directions were politics, timing and changing attitudes.

Indiana
March 19, 2014

Common Core: Without a champion, support waned

So how did Indiana become the first state to formally withdraw from Common Core? Opponents of the standards were able to connect with the natural sympathy of several key Republican players, who share with Common Core critics grave concerns about the influence of the federal government.