Casey Smith

Ed secretary: Schools have funds for proposed literacy initiatives

Rogers’ bill further requires IDOE to adopt a universal assessment to better identify and intervene with struggling students before third grade.... Read More

Lawmakers advance new bill to limit governor’s executive powers

The clapback legislation, Senate Bill 234, removes a Hoosier governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency after 30 days — or declare a new emergency — unless it is “wholly unrelated” to the first one. A longer disaster declaration would require approval from the General Assembly.... Read More

Lawmakers seem unlikely to tackle school consolidation this session

Small and rural school officials — longtime critics of the chamber’s lobby for more school consolidation — are pushing back against the new study and the potential for Indiana policies that would require small schools to increase their student population.... Read More

Senate Republicans prioritize literacy, health in five-part agenda

A bill to require earlier interventions for students struggling with literacy is top-of-list for Indiana Senate Republicans, who unveiled the 2024 agenda Thursday morning.... Read More

Bill to expand workforce training funds moves forward

The new measure, House Bill 1001, authored by Rep. Chuck Goodrich, R-Noblesville, primarily seeks to allow money from the 21st Century Scholars program and Frank O’Bannon grants to be used by high school graduates for training by an approved intermediary, employer or labor organization — rather than for education costs at a college or university.... Read More

New tool shows where Indiana students are struggling most with literacy

As debate heats up among Indiana policymakers over how to address Indiana’s literacy “crisis,” a new statewide dashboard gives a more detailed look at where additional reading supports are needed most. State education officials said the new tool will help...... Read More

Indiana teacher salaries on the rise, but averages fall short of governor’s goal

New data shows Indiana’s teacher pay is ticking up — but still trails behind averages in neighboring states — as the debate over Hoosier educator salaries continues. The average teacher salary in Indiana is $58,531 — up from about $57,000 the year prior.... Read More

Ed secretary supports stricter third grade retention law with some exemptions

Secretary of Education Katie Jenner agreed with lawmakers that too many struggling students are advancing to fourth grade.... Read More

Lawmakers want to hold back more 3rd graders. Will it improve literacy?

Scrambling to improve literacy rates among Hoosier students, state lawmakers seem adamant to toughen Indiana’s policy that requires most kids who are deficient in reading to repeat the third grade. But the proposal has so far been met with skepticism from...... Read More

Teachers union presses lawmakers to reopen budget in 2024 session

The Indiana State Teachers Association is calling for better collective bargaining, increased pay for support staff and more say over curriculum in the upcoming legislative session. President Keith Gambill said Hoosier educators are also seeking new...... Read More