Career and technical education teachers across the state are making and donating protective gear to organizations and hospitals fighting COVID-19, even as they find new ways to teach in lieu of hands-on learning.

As Indiana school buildings are ordered closed until May, hands-on classes in career and technical education are being forced to adapt.

The pilot program plans will be used as models to share with other schools as part of a Next Level Programs of Study curriculum being launched in the fall of 2021.

Indiana workforce agencies recognized career education programs, students, and business partnerships across the state Tuesday at the 2020 Career and Technical Education Awards for Excellence ceremony in Indianapolis.

At Pike High School in Indianapolis, nutrition teacher Kam Bontrager is guiding students through their last lab of the semester. The task for the day? Making smoothies.

The Indiana State Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to postpone a decision about whether to remove state funding for some life skills classes. The courses facing cuts teach adult skills like personal finance, nutrition, and child development.

The report also showed that credentialed workers without college degrees typically earn $15,000 more per year.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law this week that will fund adult high school diploma programs based on performance not just enrollment. The requirements will affect programs across the state.

The law gives the Governors Workforce Cabinet control of $50 million of federal education funds.

House Bill 1002 would give the Governors Workforce Cabinet control of $50 million of federal funds.