ISTEP-Plus likely to be around for a while

Given the political push back and legislative discussion over the Common Core Standards touted by former Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett and endorsed by many teachers in the region, it does not look like there will be changes to the ISTEP-Plus test anytime soon.

PUC looks to academic athletes to boost full-time enrollment

In the competition of full-time enrollment, degree completions and financial strength, Purdue University Calumet officials are looking at attracting student in its athletics program.

State audit blasts Gary schools

GARY | An Indiana State Board of Accounts audit of the Gary Community School Corp. points out overdrawn fund balances, poor internal controls and poor record-keeping in a 72-page audit released Tuesday that takes the school district to task.

Lake Ridge to close Grissom Elementary

CALUMET TOWNSHIP | There was hardly a dry eye in the building when the Lake Ridge School Board voted 4-1 on Monday to close Grissom Elementary School.

Some educators question new teacher permit

As local school leaders review retirements, resignations and fall student enrollment, most are looking to hire talented, enthusiastic teachers to be effective in the classroom.

Judge orders Gary schools to turn over shuttered building to charter

GARY | A Superior Court judge has ordered the Gary Community School Corp. to lease a shuttered school building to a local charter school.

Purdue Cal's Riley child center to remain open

HAMMOND | Thanks to a donation from the city of Hammond, Purdue University Calumet's popular Riley Child Center will remain open.

Missing gun led to Lew Wallace lockdown

GARY | Lew Wallace STEM Academy in Gary was on lockdown for a short period Thursday morning after a school security officer realized he came to work without his weapon.

State audit addresses bookkeeping issues at Hanover schools

CEDAR LAKE | An Indiana State Board of Accounts audit of the Hanover Community School Corp. draws attention to several accounting and bookkeeping issues and an overdrawn textbook rental fund account in 2011.

PUC faces $4 million deficit, will close learning center

HAMMOND | Purdue University Calumet is facing a $4 million shortfall this year, and will close the Academic Learning Center in Merrillville and is considering closing the Charlotte R. Riley Child Center at the Hammond campus.

Lake Ridge parents resolve to cope with school closing

GARY | Grissom Elementary School parent Robyn Probus has attended all three community forums regarding the Lake Ridge Schools' finances and the last three School Board meetings.

PUC will close Academic Learning Center in M'ville

HAMMOND | Due to decreasing enrollment at Purdue University Calumet’s off-site Academic Learning Center in Merrillville, the university announced Wednesday it will not offer classes this fall at the facility.

Local Head Start officials developing sequester plan

MERRILLVILLE | Federal budget cuts already are being felt by some of Indiana's youngest residents.

Appeal dates set for 2 Gary charter schools

GARY | Ball State University has set appeal hearing dates for two Gary charter schools that were notified their charters would not be renewed.

High school students study world affairs at PUC conference

HAMMOND | More than 300 high school students attended a World Affairs Conference at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond to discuss whether world peace is possible and why they should care.

Merrillville parent's Facebook post claims daughter sexually harassed

MERRILLVILLE | Two Pierce Middle School boys will be suspended for making inappropriate comments to a female classmate.

IU looking to defer $700M in maintenance

GARY | Indiana University has deferred more than $700 million in maintenance at its seven campuses -- including Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

Conference touting engineering, technology degrees hosts 175 teen women

SCHERERVILLE | Merrillville High School senior Briana Williams was among nearly 175 female students from six high schools in Lake County who attended the HerWorld conference at the Patrician Banquet Center in Schererville.

Lt. governor visits Gary Area Career Center

GARY | As Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann toured the cosmetology department at the Gary Area Career Center on Friday, she said if she had more time she'd stay to get a manicure and pedicure.

Ambassador Christian Academy students to participate in statehouse rally

GARY | Nearly 200 students, teachers and parents from Ambassador Christian Academy in Gary will participate in a rally supporting school vouchers at the Indiana statehouse Monday sponsored by School Choice Indiana.

Edison teacher suspended as threats on chalkboard investigated

LAKE STATION | A veteran Edison Jr./Sr. High School teacher was suspended Friday with pay following a threatening message he allegedly wrote on the chalkboard to students.

EdisonLearning officials: Attendance remains a challenge

GARY | One of the biggest challenges administrators at Roosevelt College and Career Academy face is attendance; too many students simply don't come to school.

Lake Ridge Superintendent: Stand together to weather storm

CALUMET TOWNSHIP | Officials at Lake Ridge Schools are looking for a long-term fix to a $1.7 million budget deficit the district is facing next year.

Bernard Watson visits his namesake school

GARY | Watson Academy fifth-grader Job Smith said he was thrilled and excited to meet the man for whom his school was named.

Seasoned educator urges Gary community to raise the bar

GARY | Gary native and veteran educator Bernard C. Watson contends he has no magic wand to deal with the issues going on in education today.

3 specialists named to help turn around Gary schools

GARY | The School Board on Tuesday approved hiring three more transformational specialists to turn around its failing schools.

Lake Ridge votes to close an elementary building, outsource custodial

CALUMET TWP. | Nearly 200 parents, teachers and community members turned out for a Lake Ridge School Board meeting Monday night to protest the closing of an elementary school and contracting out of maintenance and janitorial services.

Renowned educator to visit Gary, schools

GARY | Renowned educator and author Bernard C. Watson will visit Gary Wednesday and Thursday.

K-12 education's future appears uncertain

The outlook for K-12 education might be a bit murky as educators across the state wait for new state education leader Glenda Ritz to set her agenda.

School districts developing appetite for referendums

Three local school corporations are joining a growing number of school districts asking for a property tax increase as they wrestle with state budget cuts to education.

Special elections cost money

Three local school districts are paying for a special election May 7 asking voters to approve a tax increase in their respective communities.

Hammond school district faces technology problem

HAMMOND | A corrupted server in the School City of Hammond is creating concerns regarding lost information and legal documentation, including files on Individual Education Programs in special education, grant proposals and state and federal education reporting.

New principal named at Roosevelt

GARY | A new principal has been named to lead Gary Roosevelt College and Career Academy.

Some Lake leaders think supplemental property tax unfair

A little-known property tax in Lake County generates about $4 million a year for county schools. In the past 10 years, the county has collected $37 million that has gone directly into the general funds of school districts.

Gary, EdisonLearning reach agreement on Roosevelt

GARY | A hearing in Marion County Superior Court over maintenance and repairs at Gary Roosevelt was postponed Friday after the sides reached agreement, just before going into court.

Gary hires away Roosevelt principal

GARY | The principal of Roosevelt College and Career Academy has reportedly taken a job with the Gary Community School Corp.

Some region schools improve ECA scores in 2012

As region schools await testing for ISTEP-Plus and End-of-Course Assessment exams, several showed improvement in 2012 standardized testing.

Educators explain why schools so tough on students who engage in questionable behavior

The School Town of Munster is not the first school district to invoke the principle of "in loco parentis" when disciplining students who engage in what it considers unacceptable behavior such as sexting or sending provocative messages through a cellphone or electronic device.

Munster School Board approves referendum

MUNSTER | The School Town of Munster board unanimously approved a resolution Monday authorizing a tax increase.

Munster High students to be suspended for sexting

MUNSTER | About a dozen Munster High School students will be suspended for sexting at school Friday.

Charter knew nonrenewal was a possibility

GARY | Officials at Charter School of the Dunes had no guarantee its charter would be renewed this year when it began construction of a new $13 million school building last summer.

State releases audit report for Duneland School Corp.

CHESTERTON | An Indiana State Board of Accounts audit raised questions about commingling funds and extracurricular money at the Duneland School Corp.

Parents, students criticize Lighthouse Academy consolidation plan

HAMMOND | Many parents of students at East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School were angry to hear the Lighthouse Academy schools in Lake County plan to consolidate in the fall, offering one high school.

Heat still not fully restored at Roosevelt

GARY | Parents of students at Roosevelt College and Career Academy say it's still cold inside the building following a previous school shutdown because of a broken heating system.

Charter School of the Dunes to finish building despite nonrenewal of charter

GARY | Despite notice that its charter won't be renewed, Charter School of the Dunes is operating in the black and will finish its $13 million school building, officials said.

Munster community responds to possible school referendum

MUNSTER | A possible tax hike to support the School Town of Munster drew criticism and support from residents who attended the first of two community forums Monday night.

Ball State puts more rigor into charter renewal process

GARY | Tabitha and Eliseo Velez, who have six children enrolled at Charter School of the Dunes in Gary, are among parents and community members advocating the school remain open.

School Town of Munster considering referendum on tax increase

MUNSTER | The School Town of Munster wants to go directly to the voters for a tax increase to avoid laying off as many as 20 teachers, cutting programs, reducing custodial services and eliminating some health insurance benefits.