An Indianapolis task force has recommended what amounts to unified control over district-run schools and charters in the city. That plan is rooted in decades of history involving desegregation efforts, a prominent former mayor, advocacy dollars, and more.

Why does the Trump administration want to eliminate the Department of Education? What does it mean for students, educators, and parents? Join us for this important discussion: ckbe.at/4arS85q

Indiana journalists: Still working today? Take some time to start getting together your best work of the year for @IndianaProSPJ's Best of Indiana Journalism awards. Details: indianaprospj.org

What education bills have lawmakers filed so far? Here's @aleksappleton.bsky.social's tracker: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

Indiana lawmakers have reacted favorably to several proposals from the Indianapolis task force. They’ve already raised the idea that its recommendations could work elsewhere, but are skeptical about its plan to expand mayoral power over schools.

Indiana journalists: Before you logoff for the holidays, mark your calendar to submit entries to the 2025 Best of Indiana Journalism contest. The deadline is Feb. 6 More information: awards.indianaprospj.org

Here's what lawmakers had to say about the ILEA's final recommendations that passed last night. www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social

The ILEA's recommendations for a new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation now go to state lawmakers. Read more about last night's meeting here ⬇️ www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

The ILEA recommended the creation of a new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation in an 8-1 vote www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

Indiana journalists: The Indiana SPJ 2025 contest portal is open! Submit your best work of the year, and find more info at indianaprospj.org

The ILEA votes tonight on final recommendations to send to lawmakers. Here's the options the alliance advanced earlier this month: chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... 🧵 Plus, updates from this week (1/4)

The ILEA votes tomorrow, and this morning the mayor and IPS superintendent announced 5 things they agree on. www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

Indianapolis Public Schools says it will change policies after Indiana’s attorney general alleged the district improperly impeded Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But it’s unclear what policies exactly the district will change.

Speakers debated the merits of appointed and elected boards for schools. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance is about to vote on recommendations for changing who runs public schools in the city.

The ILEA votes on recommendations on Wednesday. Here's how public comment went today ⬇️ via @aleksappleton.bsky.social

Once the ILEA makes its recommendations, the next step goes to state lawmakers. @aleksappleton.bsky.social asked lawmakers what they think of the alliance's work so far: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

Should transportation be mandated for all schools? Should there be a moratorium on new schools? Here are some major unanswered questions for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.

Parents and students at a public comment session in Indianapolis voiced skepticism that the proposals to shake up IPS and charter schools would address major problems.

'Tis the season for @aleksappleton.bsky.social's education bill tracker. We'll update weekly so bookmark this link ⬇️ www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

The Indiana Pro @spj-posts.bsky.social chapter is hosting a lunchtime chat about newsrooms and AI on Thursday. Join us: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Join @IndianaProSPJ for a chat about newsrooms and AI on Thursday. There's still time to sign up: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Indiana House returning next week amid redistricting standoff; Senate will return Dec. 8 indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...

The options range from a fully elected IPS board overseeing district and charter schools, to an IPS board appointed entirely by the mayor. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will make its recommendations to city and state officials by year’s end.

Several of the options presented by Indianapolis Local Education Alliance members would reduce the power currently held by the IPS school board. The clock is ticking — the ILEA must adopt final recommendations by the end of this year.

Teachers unions and left-wing coalitions have long resisted mayoral control of urban school districts. But Chicago and Boston are testing that position, as cities like New York and Indianapolis also explore changing who’s in charge.

Last night, the ILEA heard recommendations for buses and buildings as expected. But members seemed to say they know they'll have to address governance too. And that could be a big change. Here are the potential options: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

The moves dramatically accelerate a decades-long push by conservatives to eliminate the Education Department. The decisions also make clear the administration’s willingness to use legal workarounds to evade Congress.

“My 2025 bingo card has been turned upside down,” House Speaker Todd Huston said in Org Day remarks.

Aligning IPS boundaries with Center Township would remove dozens of district and charter schools from IPS borders.

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance meets this week, & the deadline for recommendations is coming up at the end of the year. What questions do you have about the ILEA still? docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Catch up on Amelia's stories here: www.chalkbeat.org/authors/amel...

The idea of changing the boundaries lines of IPS is being floated. But what would it take? www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via Amelia Pak-Harvey of @chalkbeat.org Indiana

An Indiana program giving qualifying students grants for tutoring is reopening to enrollment after shutting down abruptly last spring.

The raises are smaller than those offered in the prior two-year contract, reflecting the district’s increasingly precarious financial situation. The increases are available to employees represented by the Indianapolis Education Association.

Some groups have suggested increasing mayoral control of schools, either by reducing the number of charter authorizers, having the mayor appoint IPS school board members, or both. But how has that worked out in New York City and Chicago?

A fourth grade teacher at Central Elementary in Plainfield, Johnson shared her favorite lessons to teach and the best advice she’s ever received in 19 years of teaching.

The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.

See what's in the proposed 2025-27 contract for IPS teachers ⬇️

Indiana journalists: Don't forget that this free financial session is tomorrow. There's still time to sign up: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...

A universal school ratings system could provide parents with helpful information and inform high-stakes decisions about interventions and closures. But what should it look like?

📢 Indiana journalists: Don't for get to RSVP for this event next week!

Voters in six Indiana school districts decided whether to support school referendums after lawmakers made several changes around the process and school funding earlier this year.

This is the first school year Indiana students were held back under a 2024 law that aims to make sure students pass the IREAD before going to fourth grade.

Stopped by a polling place in Avon where high school orchestra members are playing (Christmas songs!) for voters. Avon is one of six school districts with a referendum on the ballot tonight: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

One week from today: Join the Indiana Pro chapter of @spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with @zinakumok.bsky.social It's free! RSVP here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...

It's Election Day for voters in six Indiana school districts with referendums on the ballot. Learn more here: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social

“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...

With families still waiting for SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, Indianapolis-area schools like in Perry Township have geared up to provide food assistance. About 260,000 children in Indiana rely on SNAP.

Tomorrow is Election Day in these 6 Indiana school districts: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... Plus, why the Lt. Governor is getting involved: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social

IPS scheduled 3 meetings for November where the public can comment on ILEA. The first one is today ⬇️

Indiana journalists: Don't forget to RSVP, and mark your calendar ⬇️