The nation's high school graduation rate is at an all-time high - 81 percent. It was such big news, President Obama touted it in his State of the Union address. So what's the truth behind this number?

It's high school graduation season for thousands of Central Indiana students, so WFYI education reporter Eric Weddle thought it'd be fitting to sit down with graduating seniors from several area high schools to talk about their thoughts on life during and after high school. We'll be hearing parts of their conversation throughout the month.

A school that will teach students how to speak Spanish and English was given approval by the Indianapolis Charter School Board Tuesday to open next year on the city's Northwest side in Lafayette Square

Adela Campos decided to skip her senior year at George Washington High School to get away from the violence. There's just nothing left for her at the West side school, she said. Her friends, many who are also Hispanic, have transferred to other schools. Her schedule was dotted with substitute teachers.

Four Indianapolis Public Schools teachers each received a $25,000 check last night as part of the second annual Hubbard Life-Changing Teacher Award. The award recognizes extraordinary IPS
educators.

Less than three months after Indianapolis Public Schools approved its first autonomous school as allowed under a one-time controversial law, the school board this week will consider OKing three more schools. Enlace Academy and two KIPP run schools could become so-called "Innovation Network Schools" in an agreement that would allow sharing district resources, such as transportation or meals, in return for students' test scores in district averages and receiving state tuition support for the students.

Hundreds of Indianapolis students who can't get a seat in one of the state's top high schools may soon have a better chance to get in. Next week, Herron High School leaders will ask the city's charter school board to approve a second Herron campus within the Indianapolis Public School district.

Florida-based Charter Schools USA, which operates three Indianapolis schools under contract with the state, earned a cautious go-ahead today to open a charter school, possibly on Indianapolis' South side, next year.

Some IPS schools will stop offering instrumental music lessons next year as part of a district-wide overhaul of music, art and gym programs aimed at making sure all schools get a full-time teacher in each of those subjects.

New curricula aimed at replacing three more failing Indianapolis schools were announced Tuesday as part of an ongoing program spearheaded by educational reform organization The Mind Trust.