Aleksandra Appleton

Aleksandra Appleton

Reporter, Chalkbeat Indiana

Aleksandra Appleton is a Reporter for Chalkbeat Indiana. She previously reported on schools in Las Vegas and Fresno, California, where she grew up. Aleks is a graduate of UC San Diego and the Columbia School of Journalism.

There are some exceptions to the cell phone ban, like if a student needs it to manage their health or the device is part of their Individualized Education Program.

Big changes are ahead for schools, including more support for reading, stricter third grade retention rules, and cellphone bans.

House and Senate lawmakers removed a proposal to allow chaplains in public schools, but schools would still be required to release students for off-campus religious instruction.

A revised bill targeting absenteeism would require schools to prohibit habitually truant students from extracurricular activities, and would also impose a penalty on parents who make unproven allegations against teachers.

One bill has been stripped of language on civics education to instead focus on allowing chaplains in public schools.

Advocates say a bill to retain third graders could violate the civil rights of 93,000 English learners and conflicts with research on how long it takes to learn a language.

A remote working option for teachers and shared educators between schools are some of the options to address the ‘pain points’ of teaching.

Legislation would establish education on government and good citizenship as early as kindergarten.

Indiana AG said officials must show that materials posted to ‘Eyes on Education’ were not and are not used or shared.

A bill that would have dramatically expanded school choice in the state failed to move forward but will likely return in 2025.