Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Innovation schools

IPS inspiration

Indiana
March 13, 2017

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says Indianapolis’s ‘innovation schools’ should be a national model

In Betsy DeVos's dream world, more schools would operate the way one in Indianapolis hopes to.
Indiana
February 22, 2017

A neighborhood-led school will make its pitch to the Indianapolis Public Schools board

If the board approves the plan, the school would join a growing group of “innovation schools” that are still part of IPS but have the freedom of charter schools.
Indiana
January 24, 2017

IPS outlines a plan: a restart for School 42 and a reprieve for two other schools

The board plans to discuss the three schools at its meeting 6 p.m. Thursday.
Indiana
January 12, 2017

How one Indianapolis neighborhood says it can save a struggling school by taking control

It could be the first neighborhood-led effort to create an IPS innovation school, offering a model for other community groups across the city.

restart?

Indiana
December 12, 2016

Three IPS schools put on notice: schools could be ‘restarted,’ teachers made to reapply

School 42, School 63 and John Marshall Middle School were all named by the district as candidates for conversion to “innovation” status.

Innovation

Indiana
November 28, 2016

Leaders at IPS arts magnet say becoming an “innovation” school will add even more art to the day

That’s why Edison School of the Arts is angling to become one of the first Indianapolis Public Schools allowed to adopt a new governance model.

money money money

Indiana
November 14, 2016

Mind Trust has big plans for Indianapolis schools and now it needs big money

The Mind Trust is looking to raise $32 million over the next three years.

supporting leaders

Colorado
October 25, 2016

Meet Lamont Browne, the man overseeing Aurora Public Schools’ boldest reforms yet

Aurora Public Schools hired Lamont Browne, a former charter school director, to lead the district's efforts with charter schools and the district's innovation zone.

who's the boss?

Colorado
August 24, 2016

Pueblo City Schools’ interim leader failed to boost test scores at struggling middle school

Among Macaluso's new duties: convince the state that the southern Colorado school district should keep its accreditation after years of chronic low performance.

new day

Indiana
August 1, 2016

Cold Spring takes the plunge to manage school differently, but it’s still got lizards

Four traditional IPS schools will convert to "innovation" status this year.

New ideas

Indiana
April 26, 2016

Indy “innovation” school aims to send high schoolers abroad

Innovation fellows will receive funding and support to create new schools in Indianapolis.
Indiana
January 22, 2016

Two struggling IPS schools could be 'restarted' next year

School 44 and School 69 could be managed by charter schools incubated by the Mind Trust if the School Board approves Ferebee's recommendations.

(Not) back to square one

Colorado
March 11, 2014

Community input, teacher voice drive overhaul at a struggling elementary school

At Ashley Elementary School, teachers and community members drove a school turnaround process that led to the school's newly minted innovation status. The school's plan has won praise even from skeptics of Denver's innovation schools.
Colorado
January 13, 2014

Innovation schools showing mixed results in DPS

Denver innovation schools aren’t outperforming similar campuses tied to district bureaucracy, according to a report released today. Students at Denver Public Schools that operate…
Colorado
January 9, 2014

Missteps, red tape and lax oversight plagued Manual High School’s turnaround

Denver Public Schools has repeatedly taken actions to make it more difficult for Manual's staff to focus on their charge of building a strong school culture and boosting student achievement. The school district forced a rushed planning process to get the school off the ground, lost one school leader, and took a full school year to find a replacement, in the process leaving a vacuum that siphoned away early academic progress.