After the House Education committee approved legislation last week that would remove State Superintendent Glenda Ritz as chair of the State Board of Education, the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure committee heard testimony Monday and passed a set of similar bills, 7-4.

The House Education Committee voted 9-4 along party lines Thursday morning in favor of a bill giving the State Board of Education authority over areas such as teacher evaluation, testing and student data.

The Senate Education and Career Development Committee heard discussion Wednesday concerning Senate Bill 267, which would allow high school students to be recognized by the state for a proficiency in two or more languages.

House Bill 1486 would shift education responsibilities from the Department of Education, headed by state superintendent Ritz, to the State Board of Education, which is made up of appointees from Gov. Pence and former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Tuesday night, the Indianapolis Public School Board approved the first school under a law that allows the district to create autonomous schools not bound by collective bargaining to improve student achievement at struggling or underused schools.

Wayne Township School District will seek a $67.2 million dollar property tax referendum in the May 5 primary. The referendum could generate 9.6 million in each of the next seven years with a local property tax rate increase of 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

As the debate begins over legislation to increase funding for charter schools, some are questioning the academic progress of charters after Ball State University decided to close to Indianapolis schools.

Two Indianapolis charter schools will close at the end of this school year. Fall Creek Academy and University Heights Preparatory Academy announced today that Ball State University did not renew their charters.

Good news about graduation rates, and more about Obama's plan for making community college free.