Providing all Marion County students with equitable access to education has been a challenge for years, and a new report finds that Black and Hispanic students lack access to high-quality education — from birth through higher education — at disproportionate rates.

Some Indiana lawmakers are weighing whether schools should have the option to locally license or permit new teachers. It was a main point of conversation during the General Assembly's final education study committee meeting Tuesday.

Summer is officially over for students in the Indianapolis Public Schools district. IPS students started their first day of school Monday during their third year since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Starting this fall, South Bend Community School Corporation teachers will work an additional 40 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays with no salary increase.

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.

Three central Indiana teachers unions are suing the state over a new law they say violates teachers’ constitutional rights to free speech. Senate Enrolled Act 251 requires teachers to opt in every school year via a consent form and then again by email to have union dues automatically deducted.

As the school year comes to a close, districts across the state are announcing their choices for teacher of the year. Each local winner will advance to the state level for consideration for the 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year, which is announced in the fall.

Senate Bill 205 allows people 26 and older with a bachelor's degree to get a teaching license after they finish an alternative training program and pass a state licensing exam.

Senate Bill 251 would have teachers opt in to union membership every year while being informed of their right to not join the Indiana State Teachers Association. School districts would have to confirm their decision by email.

Some school leaders are allowing employees to decide, and have organized clinics to provide them with the opportunity to get vaccinated or offered incentives for those who do.