Rachel Fradette

IPS, mayor to draft a plan for charters to use schools, buses. It may be behind closed doors The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance must meet by July 1 and produce a plan by the end of the year.

A new alliance between Indianapolis Public Schools and the city’s mayor is expected to develop a plan for how to share school buildings and school buses between district and public charter schools — but for now, it’s only a first step in possible changes.

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Indiana lawmakers drop ethnic studies as feds warn schools to comply or lose funding Since 2018 every Indiana high school was mandated to offer a semester-long ethnic elective studies course.

Indiana will no longer require high schools to offer an ethnic studies course — a move state officials say is necessary to comply with federal guidance and President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion from public education.

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Charter schools to benefit from new Indiana tax law as districts warn of losses School choice supporters praised the legislation as a massive and long-overdue policy shift, as it will boost funding for students who attend public charter schools.

NEW: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed Senate Bill 1 — a move fiercely challenged by school districts who worry about losing property tax revenue to reforms and charter schools.

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'Fix it.' With Hogsett in charge, IPS-charter school alliance moves forward in legislature Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett would oversee a plan to review how the Indianapolis Public Schools and city charter schools manage their resources.

The legislation, if passed, gives the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office a crucial role in the future of Indianapolis Public Schools. District officials have been under pressure to change how they operate and share more resources with city charter schools.

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In a funding fight dominated by adult voices and political debates, students from traditional public & charter schools are speaking up.

I spoke w/ 8 students who want to be heard on Senate Bill 518.

Here is what they said —> www.wfyi.org/news/article...

IU, Purdue to automatically enroll students who meet new high school diploma rule All seven Indiana public colleges and universities, and some private institutions, are guaranteeing automatic acceptance for students who earn a new type of high school diploma.

Indiana’s state college and university systems have agreed to automatically admit high school students who complete one of the state’s new diploma paths.

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IPS, lawmakers reach 'collaborative' proposal for future of facilities, transportation. New board would oversee it The new legislative proposal would push city and state collaboration on Indianapolis Public Schools as the district faces heightened political and operational strain.

A new legislative proposal would establish an alliance of Indianapolis Public Schools, city & state leaders to shape how the district manages its buildings & student transportation.

Here’s how it could influence future of IPS —>

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​Braun at White House as Trump moves to dismantle Education Department​ Education is a state and local responsibility, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said. I support President Trumps bold action to return education to where it belongs and to put parents in the drivers seat of th...

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner echoed Trump and Braun’s support for shifting more control of education to states and parents.
"Over the coming weeks and months, there will be a variety of rumors and myths that may spin up," she wrote in her newsletter.

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Indiana charter school board director is out. He says not by choice James Betley served as the board's executive director and general counsel for nearly a decade. The director at Trine University's Education One was picked to replace him.

Longtime director of Indiana Charter School Board was asked to resign in Jan. James Betley told @Rachel_Fradette his departure was not voluntary.

The board picked a new director from Trine Univ during a 4 min meeting Monday. More here:

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Indiana's legislative session hits halfway point. Bills to end DEI, change school funding still face debate More than 30 education-related bills that could reshape the states K-12 education system remain under consideration.

A number of education bills remain on the table — Here’s what to know

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Indiana schools must end 'race-based' programming by Feb. 28 or risk losing federal funding Indiana schools, colleges and universities are being told to consult with their lawyers and end race-based programs or risk losing federal funding.

Indiana schools must end 'race-based' programming by Feb. 28 or risk losing federal funding

Indiana's K-12 & higher ed agencies are telling schools, universities to consult w/ attorneys to make sure they are in compliance, reports

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Indiana's public records expert steps down as new law shapes office's future Luke Britt, Indianas longest serving public access counselor, is stepping down after 12 years in the role following changes to his office by state lawmakers in 2024.

Luke Britt, Indiana’s longest serving public access counselor is stepping down after 12 years following changes to his office by state lawmakers this time last year.

Britt estimates that he wrote more than 2,000 advisory opinions.

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Legislation to dissolve IPS, Gary, other school districts fizzles out. Here's why House Bill 1136 won't get a hearing in the House Education Committee.

Legislation that aimed to dissolve Indianapolis Public Schools won’t move forward in the Indiana legislature.

That’s because the committee required to advance House Bill 1136 won’t hear it, according to the office of Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis).

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Charter schools could get share of school districts' property tax revenue as fight over equity continues IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the proposed revenue shift in Senate Bill 518 could force the district to close at least 20 schools.

Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the proposed revenue shift could force the district to close at least 20 schools.

"This bill isn't it,” said Johnson. This bill is incentivizing everyone to look out for themselves."

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HSE, IPS, Carmel schools face huge cuts under Gov. Braun’s tax plan. Here’s how much your district could lose via @rachelfradette.bsky.social
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These 3 bills will 'destroy' IPS, district leaders say This legislation is not student-focused and fails to reflect the community's input on how they envision their public schools thriving, the IPS Board said.

Indianapolis education reform groups and some politicians have not endorsed the legislation but continue to call on IPS to address what they say are inequitable issues of funding, transportation and access to facilities for children who attend charter schools in Indy.
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Can Indiana's reading improvements be repeated with math? Indianas reading crisis captured the attention of state education leaders and lawmakers now the state could soon begin pursuing new interventions for another troubled subject math.

We’re talking math! www.wfyi.org/news/article...

Lawmakers seek limit on how often schools ask voters for funding increase Senate Bill 8 would require school districts to wait at least one calendar year after an operating or safety referendum ends before asking voters to approve another property tax increase.

If one of the changes to the state's school referendum rules goes through, Westfield-Washington schools could lose nearly $11 million. More here -->

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5 ways Braun’s proposed budget impacts education — including teacher pay, universal vouchers Braun hopes to get more money for academics in the classroom, not for operations and administrators, in the 2025-27 budget.

His plan for property tax relief – defined in Senate Bill 1 – could put some pressures on school district budgets across the state. This makes his boosts to education more modest than previous years.

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School districts, coalitions punch back at bill that would close their doors Some say House Bill 1136 may be intended to start discussions about giving charter schools a share of local property tax dollars, which they do not receive now.

HB 1136 would disband the district’s elected school boards and transition these district-run schools into charter schools.

But some say the bill may be intended to start discussions about giving charter schools a share of local property tax dollars.

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Legislation would dissolve IPS, four other school districts. Then charters take over The proposed Indiana House Bill 1136 would dissolve Indianapolis Pubic Schools, Gary Community Schools, Tri-Township Schools, Union Schools, and Cannelton City Schools.

Indiana lawmakers have introduced a bill that would dissolve the state’s largest public school district.

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When two Indianapolis teens lost their mother, Habitat for Humanity tried to foreclose on their home Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that helps low-income families purchase homes through interest-free mortgages. The goal is housing security and a chance to build generational wealth. But after one...

THIS IS THE POWER OF JOURNALISM.

Habitat for Humanity tried to foreclose on their home -- despite the fact they were keeping up with payments.

When WFYI told Habitat that the foreclosure violated federal law, they dropped the case. So proud of my colleagues today.

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Revamped high school diploma approved after 'messy' process The new graduation requirements will allow students to earn qualifications for career paths after completing a base diploma.

Indiana has new high school diplomas coming for the class of 2029 after unanimous State Board of Education vote.

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Indiana high school diplomas set to change after state board vote Wednesday The State Board of Education will decide whether to approve changes that promote work-based learning and help high schoolers prepare for careers.

The Indiana Department of Education’s first draft of the diploma rules would have made drastic changes to how teenagers learn.

But Indiana reversed track following pressure from educators, higher education leaders and the public.

via @rachelfradette.bsky.social

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Mike Braun unveils first-term education goals, keeps Ed Secretary Katie Jenner The agenda closely mirrors his campaign promises to voters about expanding school choice options and teachers pay.

The new governor’s plan for education is coming together. www.wfyi.org/news/article...