Huston exits College Board job as controversy brews over education bill
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has left his nonlegislative job at the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT exam.
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House, Senate remain at odds over tax, vaccine legislation at session’s halfway point
At the halfway point in this year’s legislative session, Republican leaders in the House and Senate continue to be at odds over the highest-profile issues of the session, including restrictions on employer vaccine mandates and tax cuts for businesses and individuals.
COA: IPS not immune from negligence claim involving 1st grader
Finding that Indianapolis Public Schools is not immune from liability under the Indiana Tort Claims Act, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has revived a lawsuit brought by the parents of a first grader who was prevented from boarding the school bus and forced to walk home.
Indiana lawmakers advance bill targeting K-12 curriculum
Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a series of contentious Republican-backed bills that they say would increase transparency of K-12 school curricula and restrict students from accessing “harmful materials” at libraries.
IU general counsel, VP Simmons terminated without cause
Indiana University’s longtime vice president and general counsel has been terminated without cause, according to documents obtained by Indiana Lawyer. However, it appears Jacqueline “Jackie” Simmons could remain a university employee until her retirement this summer, although on unpaid leave.
Law dean pens humorous, insightful novel about middle school outcasts
Martin Pritikin, dean of the Concord Law School at Purdue Global, has self-published the novel “Scrute,” a fictional tale inspired by his own life.
Indiana Senate abandons contentious school curriculum bill
The Indiana Senate will not consider contentious Republican-backed legislation that supporters say would have increased parental control over what their kids learn but that teachers and other critics say would have amounted to censorship, a top lawmaker said Friday.
Indiana lawmakers roll back curriculum transparency bills
Republican lawmakers in Indiana are rolling back the language in a series of bills they said would increase transparency around school curricula after the proposals drew national attention and widespread opposition.
Holcomb paints rosy economic picture in State of the State address
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb painted a rosy picture of the state’s accomplishments in his sixth State of the State address, and he outlined steps he wants to take to keep up that momentum while acknowledging lingering challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana teachers push back against school curriculum bills
A controversial Indiana bill that Republican lawmakers contend would increase transparency around school curricula has drawn opposition from dozens of teachers who testified Monday at the Statehouse that the legislation would censor classroom instruction and place unnecessary additional workloads on educators.
Indiana Senate bill sparks debate over school curriculum
Indiana lawmakers on Wednesday began debate on a Republican-backed bill that would require all school curricula to be posted online for parental review and ban schools’ ability to implement concepts like critical race theory.
Courthouse curriculum: New learning center will tell the story of Southern Indiana District Court
To help explain the significance of what school children and adults see, a project is underway to create a space within the Southern Indiana District Court building that will teach about the third branch of government. The Federal Court Learning Center will showcase some of the artifacts from the Southern Indiana District as well as feature informational displays and interactive exhibits. Visitors will learn how the federal judiciary works, how it is different from the state courts and the roles citizens play in the judicial process.
Judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for Head Start program
President Joe Biden cannot require teachers in the Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a Louisiana federal judge ruled Saturday, handing a victory to 24 states that had sued the federal government.
Indiana lawmakers face debates on vaccine limits, tax cuts
Indiana lawmakers expect to start their new session by quickly diving into a contentious debate over a Republican-backed proposal aimed at limiting workplace COVID-19 vaccination requirements, even as the virus threatens to overwhelm the state’s hospitals.
Student sues Noblesville High School, claiming school prohibited pro-life club
Alleging Noblesville High School prevented a freshman from organizing a pro-life club because the group’s “political agenda is not aligned with the administration’s agenda,” the student, her parents and her club, Noblesville Students for Life, have filed a lawsuit against the school and several faculty members for violating the rights of free speech and association.
Pendleton Heights Gay-Straight Alliance wins injunction for access to school resources
A central Indiana school district must give the local high school’s gay-straight alliance access to the same advertising and fundraising resources as other noncurricular organizations, a federal judge has ruled, issuing an injunction after finding a violation of the Equal Access Act.
Court suggests religious schools OK to get Maine tuition aid
The Supreme Court appeared ready Wednesday to rule that religious schools can’t be excluded from a Maine program that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money.
Supreme Court takes up religious rights case from Maine
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a challenge from parents in Maine who want to use a state tuition program to send their children to religious schools.
COA affirms dismissal of COVID-19 lawsuit by Granger parents against local school corporation, health department
A pair of Northern Indiana parents did not present a legal cause of action in a lawsuit filed against their local health department and children’s school corporation regarding decisions to conduct virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Rokita revises ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ to cover curriculum, medical issues
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has released a revised version of his controversial “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” offering additional guidance to Hoosier parents on educational issues such as filing civil rights claims, opting out of curriculum and the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as reminding parents of their right to petition lawmakers regarding their child’s education.