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Axios
23-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Concerns over class sizes, layoffs loom over back-to-school
As Indiana schools prepare to welcome students in the coming weeks, teachers are bracing for larger class sizes thanks to uncertainty with education funding. The big picture: The Trump administration is withholding more than $5 billion in funding for K-12 programs pending a reevaluation "given the change in administration," according to the Department of Education. That comes on top of cuts to state property taxes that fund local governments, including school districts. Driving the news: Warren Township Schools start Thursday, with many following suit next week. What they're saying:"We've heard quite a bit of talk about potential reductions in force," Jennifer Smith-Margraf, president of the Indiana State Teachers Association, told Axios. Smith-Margraf said she's not aware of any layoffs, but knows some districts are choosing not to fill open positions as they wait to see what final openings and budget numbers look like. "It's been a good 15 years since we've really heard talk at this level about positions," she said. "Folks are really wondering about class size and caseloads and what that means for services for students." Why it matters: Research shows that even small reductions in class size can lead to gains in student achievement. Yes, and: Indiana just got back disappointing standardized test scores showing that students made little progress in English and language arts. Between the lines: Smith-Margraf says that teachers will also feel the squeeze of large classes in other ways. Providing extra classroom supplies is one of the first things that cash-strapped schools will cut, meaning teachers are often doing it themselves. "As families have to prioritize other things over school supplies … food, health care, making sure they have a roof over their head … educators have been digging deeper and deeper into their pockets to make up that gap," she said. Threat level: A smaller workforce could also mean larger ratios of students to school counselors, social workers and other positions. Flashback: Class size used to be something that teachers could negotiate in collective bargaining agreements, but that law changed in 2011. ISTA has unsuccessfully fought to win that right back in recent years. What we're watching: More than 20 governors have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding the educational funding. The governors said the funding freeze has "caused chaos" in their states' educational systems.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nearly 300 Indiana students awarded teaching scholarships following record applications
An Indiana teacher reads to her class. (Courtesy Indiana State Teachers Association) Nearly 300 Hoosier students will receive up to $40,000 each to pursue careers in education through the state's Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship program, higher education officials announced this week. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded 295 awards for the 2025–26 academic year. The renewable scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for four years. In exchange, recipients agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay a prorated amount. Now in its ninth year, the program aims to address the state's ongoing teacher shortage by supporting students committed to staying in the profession. 'Teachers inspire confidence in the next generation and prepare students for future career success,' said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. 'The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is a key strategy to build Indiana's future teacher workforce with high-quality talent. The students selected for this opportunity have the passion and determination to make a difference in classrooms across the state.' The 2025-2026 application cycle drew a record 1,091 applicants — a 15% increase over last year — from 326 high schools across 89 of Indiana's 92 counties, according to CHE. Of those applicants, 73% were high school seniors and the rest were current college students. State lawmakers expanded the annual scholarships in 2023, increasing awards from $7,500 to $10,000. The previous 200-recipient cap was also lifted, and a one‑time $10,000 grant was introduced for students enrolled in approved 'transition to teach' programs. Funding for the program was reduced in the state's new two-year budget passed earlier this year, however, with annual appropriations dropping from $12 million to $11.4 million. The cut was part of broader budget cuts across state government. It's not yet clear how the reduced funding might affect future scholarship awards. To qualify, students must meet academic criteria including ranking in the top 20% of their high school class, earning a 3.0 GPA or better, or scoring in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT. Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year to remain eligible while in college. The full list of scholarship recipients by county is available online at SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Merrillville building trades teacher honored with state award
Those who know Terrell Taylor, Merrillville High School building trades instructor, know he is seldom at a loss for words. That was nearly the case on Tuesday as a surprised and clearly emotional Taylor was presented the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) Minority Educator of the Year award. Taylor said the honor came as a completely unexpected but wonderful surprise, one kept from him by even his wife, Dr. Marnita Taylor, executive director of curriculum and instruction at Merrillville schools. 'My three words: God is good,' Taylor said after the announcement. Taking part in the award presentation to Taylor was Bob Phelps, the school's Career & Technical Education Director; Jennifer Smith-Margraf, vice president of ISTA; and high school principal Michael Krutz. 'Mr. Taylor is a role model and an advocate for diversity in the trades which has opened doors for the underrepresented students in the construction trades industry. Terrell brings his industry experience, commitment to education and gigantic heart to work with him everyday which makes him a great choice for this award. On behalf of the high school and central office, congratulations Mr. Taylor,' Phelps said. Taylor, upon accepting the award, gave credit to his students: 'these young individuals lift me up.' 'He (Phelps) said I'm a role model. I'm not a role model. Some days I'm a good example; some days I'm a bad example. I don't want these kids to be like me. I want them to be better than me. By exposing myself to them transparently, I give them that opportunity,' Taylor said. He added: 'My responsibility being here is to give them unconditional love and I do that everyday. I do that everyday.' Smith-Margraf spoke of Taylor's very successful career in the construction trades before deciding to give back to his community by becoming an educator and helping train students and build up their confidence in the field he chose as his passion. 'Since he has taken over the building trades, it's my understanding that it has become one of the most popular classes here at MHS because of the positive relationships he has built with your students, the dynamic atmosphere he has created in the classrooms and the partnerships he has built with community members to create internships and other opportunities for your students,' she said. Taylor, whose wife, Marnita, was among those fellow educators who were there for the presentation, made history in 2004 when he and Richard Hardaway became the first blacks to serve on the Merrillville Town Council. Taylor said he had served in the construction industry for 31 years before deciding he wanted to go into teaching. He has served as an instructor for the past six years. 'My passion was construction and I found my purpose in teaching. To have those align is more than a calling,' Taylor said. He is also the founder of the Merrillville Education Foundation. The Taylors have two adult children and three grandchildren.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Teachers, Parents, Students Demand ‘Fully Funded Public Schools' at Indiana Statehouse Rally
This article was originally published in Indiana Capital Chronicle. A sea of red descended upon the Indiana Statehouse Monday as hundreds of teachers, parents and students from across the state rallied to demand increased funding for public schools — and to protest pending policy proposals that could shift millions of local dollars to charters. The rally — one of many hosted in recent years by the Indiana State Teachers Association, the state's largest teachers union — came just hours ahead of a possible final vote on a massive property tax plan. The latest provisions baked into the legislation could reduce public schools' tax dollars by as much as $744 million over the next three years. ISTA President Keith Gambill said that blow comes in addition to education funding gaps in the newest draft of the state budget. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter 'The overall funding increase of 2% per year — of $870 million — does not even meet inflation,' Gambill said. 'Our students deserve bold investment, not the bare minimum.' He said teachers will be pressing lawmakers in the coming days and weeks 'to ensure that public dollars are staying with public schools.' The legislative session must end by April 29 but could be finished as early as April 24. All bills — including the state budget — must be finalized by that time. 'Our schools deserve to be fully funded — and fully public — so all kids receive a quality education,' Gambill emphasized. Teacher attendance at the rally forced at least three Hoosier school districts to move to an e-learning day, including Indianapolis Public Schools and nearby Pike Township, as well as Monroe County Community Schools in Bloomington. The shift to e-learning appeared to prompt a legislative amendment published Monday morning by Indianapolis Republican Rep. Andrew Ireland. Proposed language filed to Senate Bill 373, an unrelated education bill, sought to jeopardize funding for public school districts that convert scheduled in-person instructional days to virtual because of 'planned or coordinated absence of teachers or other personnel for the purpose of participating in a protest, demonstration, or political advocacy event.' Districts would risk losing state tuition support for each day of a violation, according to Ireland's amendment. Gambill read the amendment aloud during the rally, drawing shouting and boos from the crowd. 'We have got to talk to our legislators today, tomorrow and every day between now and the end of the session. We must be vigilant,' he said. 'We have to speak from the heart, and remind them that behind every policy is a classroom with a teacher and students.' Ireland introduced the amendment Monday afternoon to make a statement, but withdrew it without discussion or a vote. Chants echoed throughout the Statehouse halls for more than two hours Monday morning. 'Schools need funding!' 'Pay our teachers!' 'Defend public education!' Rallygoers, many dressed in red t-shirts, had homemade signs in tow, too. Banners, poster boards, paper placards — and even painted messages on the backs of LaCroix boxes — were raised by attendees amid chanting, cheering and frustrated yells. Everyone's goal was the same: demand 'fair' and 'adequate' funding for public schools. Gambill said recent changes to both bills were improvements from their original versions. But he maintained that increases to base tuition support in the Senate GOP's state budget draft 'are not enough,' and held that amendments added to the property tax measure would divert 'critical' dollars from traditional publics to charters and could allow districts to 'side step' collective bargaining rights for teachers. Monica Shellhamer, a vice president with the Indianapolis Education Association, said during her rally remarks that teachers continue to be left out of conversations around school funding. 'Indianapolis public schools has been a target of the legislature for many years and this year is no different,' Shellhamer said. 'Bill after bill continued to be submitted to shut down or defund Indianapolis public schools.' Jenny Noble-Kuchera, president of the Monroe County Education Association, further pointed to pending education cuts at the federal level. 'The way it is currently, public education as we know it will begin to disappear, and our children are the victims,' she said Monday. 'We already have severe mismanagement at the federal level of Title I grants for our lower-income students, of critical programs supporting students with disabilities, and elimination of programs for our schools.' 'This is bad enough, and now Indiana politicians can't put their youngest constituents first, and support basics, like learning to read and write, and foundational math,' she continued. 'It's not OK.' Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Teachers, parents, students demand ‘fully-funded public schools' at Indiana Statehouse rally
Teachers and families attend a public education rally on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A sea of red descended upon the Indiana Statehouse Monday as hundreds of teachers, parents and students from across the state rallied to demand increased funding for public schools — and to protest pending policy proposals that could shift millions of local dollars to charters. The rally — one of many hosted in recent years by the Indiana State Teachers Association, the state's largest teachers union — came just hours ahead of a possible final vote on a massive property tax plan. The latest provisions baked into the legislation could reduce public schools' tax dollars by as much as $744 million over the next three years. ISTA President Keith Gambill said that blow comes in addition to education funding gaps in the newest draft of the state budget. 'The overall funding increase of 2% per year — of $870 million — does not even meet inflation,' Gambill said. 'Our students deserve bold investment, not the bare minimum.' He said teachers will be pressing lawmakers in the coming days and weeks 'to ensure that public dollars are staying with public schools.' The legislative session must end by April 29 but could be finished as early as April 24. All bills — including the state budget — must be finalized by that time. 'Our schools deserve to be fully funded — and fully public — so all kids receive a quality education,' Gambill emphasized. Teacher attendance at the rally forced at least three Hoosier school districts to move to an e-learning day, including Indianapolis Public Schools and nearby Pike Township, as well as Monroe County Community Schools in Bloomington. Our schools deserve to be fully funded — and fully public — so all kids receive a quality education. – Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill The shift to e-learning appeared to prompt a legislative amendment published Monday morning by Indianapolis Republican Rep. Andrew Ireland. Proposed language filed to Senate Bill 373, an unrelated education bill, sought to jeopardize funding for public school districts that convert scheduled in-person instructional days to virtual because of 'planned or coordinated absence of teachers or other personnel for the purpose of participating in a protest, demonstration, or political advocacy event.' Districts would risk losing state tuition support for each day of a violation, according to Ireland's amendment. Gambill read the amendment aloud during the rally, drawing shouting and boos from the crowd. 'We have got to talk to our legislators today, tomorrow and every day between now and the end of the session. We must be vigilant,' he said. 'We have to speak from the heart, and remind them that behind every policy is a classroom with a teacher and students.' Ireland introduced the amendment Monday afternoon to make a statement, but withdrew it without discussion or a vote. Chants echoed throughout the Statehouse halls for more than two hours Monday morning. 'Schools need funding!' 'Pay our teachers!' 'Defend public education!' Rallygoers, many dressed in red t-shirts, had homemade signs in tow, too. Banners, poster boards, paper placards — and even painted messages on the backs of LaCroix boxes — were raised by attendees amid chanting, cheering and frustrated yells. Everyone's goal was the same: demand 'fair' and 'adequate' funding for public schools. Gambill said recent changes to both bills were improvements from their original versions. But he maintained that increases to base tuition support in the Senate GOP's state budget draft 'are not enough,' and held that amendments added to the property tax measure would divert 'critical' dollars from traditional publics to charters and could allow districts to 'side step' collective bargaining rights for teachers. Monica Shellhamer, a vice president with the Indianapolis Education Association, said during her rally remarks that teachers continue to be left out of conversations around school funding. 'Indianapolis public schools has been a target of the legislature for many years and this year is no different,' Shellhamer said. 'Bill after bill continued to be submitted to shut down or defund Indianapolis public schools.' Jenny Noble-Kuchera, president of the Monroe County Education Association, further pointed to pending education cuts at the federal level. 'The way it is currently, public education as we know it will begin to disappear, and our children are the victims,' she said Monday. 'We already have severe mismanagement at the federal level of Title I grants for our lower-income students, of critical programs supporting students with disabilities, and elimination of programs for our schools.' 'This is bad enough, and now Indiana politicians can't put their youngest constituents first, and support basics, like learning to read and write, and foundational math,' she continued. 'It's not OK.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
