Young people in Indianapolis have sought opportunities to speak out at Statehouse hearings and local school board meetings during the past few months.

All seven Indiana public colleges and universities, and some private institutions, are guaranteeing automatic acceptance for students who earn a new type of high school diploma.

Last school year about 72,700 public school students, or nearly 7% of those enrolled, experienced out-of-school suspensions.

Under an amendment, school corporations and charter schools that participate in the pilot program could be exempt from certain regulations like collective bargaining; training for things like abuse, neglect and suicide prevention; and teacher performance evaluations.

A controversial education measure aims to cut communication around plans for annual performance reviews and change requirements for school superintendents. School leaders expressed alarm about the proposal this week.

The new legislative proposal would push city and state collaboration on Indianapolis Public Schools as the district faces heightened political and operational strain.

Indiana school officials say they are facing increased cybersecurity threats. A bill moving through the House would address mounting cybersecurity concerns by requiring school corporations and some other state agencies to adhere to uniform cybersecurity policies.

The enrollment at charter schools partnering with IPS has grown from nearly 8% in 2016 to 35.4% this school year. 

House Bill 1515 specifies that a charter, accredited nonpublic, and traditional public school is allowed as a permitted use in all zoning districts.

"I support President Trumps bold action to return education to where it belongs and to put parents in the drivers seat of their children's education," Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said.