Indiana Schools

    Indiana is making progress in making sure no child is left behind. Indiana met the number of overall students participating in the testing. However, since not enough African American and Hispanic students participated, and therefore, Indiana was marked with a “Did not Meet” for their No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report for the 2005-06 school year. Eighteen schools that did not make NCLB requirements last year met their AYP estimations and had the “Needs Improvement” label removed. This was countered with 10 schools that met expectations in 2005 that slipped and now need improvement.

Almost half of Indiana’s over 1 million students are attending Title I schools—schools that receive federal funding due to a “Needs Improvement” or worse label, or schools in a low-income area. Federal NCLB laws state that if a particular school does not meet minimum requirements two years running, a parent or student can transfer to a school that does meet requirements.

Indiana is ranked 26 out of 50 in Morgan Quinto’s “Education State Rankings, 2005-2006”, a yearly reference book ranking the smartest states, dropping 9 spots from last year, when the criteria were different. Quinto’s rankings this year are based on student achievement, positive outcomes and personal attention from teachers, de-emphasizing previous rankings made heavily on spending per student—which is over $8000 per student, resulting in an educational budget last year of $4 billion.

For more information on Indiana’s NCLB progress, or check the report card for your student’s school, visit the Department of Education website at http://www.doe.state.in.us.