What to know before IPS unveils Rebuilding Stronger plan

Students leave buses, on their way to classes in May 2019 — Photo by Alan Petersime/Chalkbeat
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson will share the school’s Rebuilding Stronger plan on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Among other things, the initiative could lead to the consolidation or closure of schools amid declining enrollment. (Alan Petersime for Chalkbeat)

It’s a big week for Indianapolis Public Schools. 

Superintendent Aleesia Johnson will deliver her annual State of the District speech Tuesday, unveiling the district’s long-awaited Rebuilding Stronger plan.

We’ll see the district’s answers to its most pressing problems: declining enrollment, competition with charter schools, and a lack of high-quality choice programs for students of color. 

And at its most basic level, the plan will aim to stabilize declining enrollment by closing or consolidating schools while also expanding school choice. Enrollment zones could give school choice options to more students of color. Breaking up K-8 schools and creating standalone buildings might make better use of the district’s underutilized buildings. 

You can watch the speech at 7 p.m. Tuesday at myips.org

(Lauren Bryant / Chalkbeat)

It could very well dictate the future of the entire district. To prepare, sign up for texting updates from Chalkbeat Indiana by texting “schools” to 317-932-3900. Also, sign up for our newsletter here.

And catch up by reading our previous coverage on what the plan could mean for students and families:

Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Marion County schools for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org.

MJ Slaby is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact MJ at mslaby@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

The board had received lots of communications asking them to affirm their support and clarify their guidance to schools.

Lawmakers have until Feb. 20 to pass bills through their chambers of origin.

Some families and educators in New York City are preparing students for what to do if they run into federal immigration agents outside of school.

Around 170 Colorado child care centers are owned or backed by private equity firms.

La demanda se presentó una semana después de que redadas en edificios de apartamentos en Denver y Aurora causaran temor entre estudiantes y familias.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Rice said Thursday his department believes in the value of teaching “all of history,” including lessons around racism.