The use of deadly force by police on unarmed Black Americans has led to civil unrest and political pressure to enact comprehensive police reform. Given racial disparities, debates are also raging about the necessity and usage of school resource officers (SROs). The term “student voice” has gained increasing attention as a phrase that describes the…
By Raymond Ankrum The eleven Indianapolis school districts and the charter school networks that service the students of Indianapolis are in a state of emergency. Whenever only 8% of Black students are proficient in both reading and math, it shows us that a real problem exists among the schools. The data doesn’t lie. Of course,…
By Cassandra Anderson COVID-19 has had a profound effect on us all, and there is no way we can escape or ignore this reality. Individuals, major corporations, and industries around the world – none of us have been spared. Even if we, ourselves, don’t know anyone who has contracted this virus, we know of someone…
Eddie Rangel and Matthew Rooney are two experienced Indianapolis school leaders who recently founded Adelante Schools, a non-profit school management organization. The mission of Adelante schools is to unite in solidarity with families and community to create a joyous neighborhood school, preparing all scholars to graduate from college and lead lives of leadership and service…
By: Barato Britt Thanksgiving is taking on a rather poignant tone in Martindale Brightwood. The residents and community stakeholders remain in the midst of an exciting transition, marked by significant investments in educational options and housing, consistent with the community’s overall strategic plan. As it trudges toward a revival, it does so on the shoulders…
Written By: Barato Britt With educators, students, and communities gearing to welcome another school year, there is a genuine level of excitement in the Indianapolis Near Eastside Community as the promise of a high-quality educational continuum is taking shape. An area rich with school options, traditional public, private, and charter among them, in just under…
Today at 11:30 am in a press conference at the IPS Educational Center, IPS board president Michael O’Conner announced the board decided on Aleesia Johnson as the new superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools. Here is a statement released by Chiefs for Change. Future Chief Aleesia Johnson selected as superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools Johnson has…
Written By: Chaunda Fabio As an educator, I support Aleesia Johnson becoming the next leader of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). One of the things I appreciate about Aleesia Johnson is her great character. She is hands on, and she isn’t just there for a photo op. I see her with my co-educators in IPS establishing…
By Michael Prihoda “I didn’t come here to teach those kinds of kids.” It’s alarming to think that adults charged with helping students of color succeed in school would hold such thoughts, much less say it aloud. But the fact is that many of us as educators have heard this and worse from some of…
By Guest Writer – John Cooper I am an IPS parent. I have four daughters and three attend URBAN ACT Academy, an IPS innovation school. My youngest daughter will join them next year for kindergarten. As a father, I support Aleesia Johnson becoming the permanent IPS superintendent. I believe in her, and I believe she…