The Indiana Senate voted 0-50 this week to kill a piece of legislation that would have changed the way special education disputes between families and schools are resolved.

The proposed amendment would remove requirements for teachers to post classroom materials online, and no longer require that schools create parent-led advisory committees.

A WFYI investigation found that schools often pressure parents into signing nondisclosure agreements, or NDAs, as a condition of a special education settlement. Advocates say NDAs prevent parents from talking to other parents of children with disabilities about their experience. And it leaves parents in fear that a school district may take legal action against them for a perceived violation of the clause.

Legislation that would change the way disputes between schools and families over special education services are resolved is gaining support from Indiana lawmakers.

Around 2,700 community members have signed a petition calling on Pike Township School district’s Superintendent Flora Reichanadter to resign.

The WFYI Education Desk is committed to special education coverage. As part of our reporting, we want to highlight and explain common challenges families face as they navigate the special education system in Indiana. Here's a digital map that follows the often complicated and confusing process that three Indiana families of students with disabilities went through.

Kids are finally back to in-person school, but the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt learning. Cases are on the rise due to the highly contagious delta variant, which has also increased the number of youth hospitalizations. Despite the surge, the vaccination rate for eligible children remains low. And a new study shows that it may not increase.

Local school board members are on the frontline of what is a health crisis at its core. Some school board members and superintendents across the state speak of a tough spot they’re put in. Some convey a message of confidence that things will be under control soon but others question why public health officials are not making these decisions in the middle of a resurging global pandemic.

Parents with an education advocacy group are demanding Indianapolis Public Schools' leaders institute more equitable policies for children of color.

IPS provided results of the panorama survey, which focuses on three groups – students in grades 3-12, staff and families – during their last school board meeting. The district has conducted the initiative for the past three years to measure how the district is responding to topics such as school climate, faculty growth mindset and school belonging.