Pat Mapes sat down with WFYI to discuss his plans for Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

Through Senior Scholars, Ivy Tech hopes to provide a place where seniors can not only continue learning but also find friendship and connection. Nearly all choose to take classes in person.

Lawmakers passed a flurry of bills this year that will have a wide impact on education in Indiana. Those included efforts to combat low reading scores, promote work-based learning and prepare for new graduation standards.

Legislation heading to the governor's desk will expand several state education programs and increase funding for some students. Indiana's Education Scholarship Account program will open up to the siblings of students who have disabilities, and students utilizing Career Scholarship Account funds could use that money to pay for driving instruction.

Schools must release students for religious education under a bill headed to the governors desk. House Bill 1137 retained language about religious instruction but axed language that would have let clergy work as chaplains in schools.

A proposal to combat truancy in the Indiana legislature raised concerns that it would push students into the juvenile justice system.

HSE board members voted unanimously to appoint Patrick Mapes, the former Perry Township Schools superintendent, to the top spot.

The IREAD-3 will be given to all third graders and most second graders during the March 4-15 through testing window.

The IU Board of Trustees is keeping the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.

An amended House bill that requires school corporations to release students for religious education during the school day passed the Senate this week. However, both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly need to agree on a final version of the bill before it can be sent to the governor.