Morning Bell: Blended Learning Charters, Voucher Program Oversight

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

A teacher at Carpe Diem, a blended learning charter in Indianapolis, helps a student with an assignment. The same company has conditional approval to open five more schools in Indiana.

Rise of a shadow school – Remember Carpe Diem, the blended learning charter in Indianapolis where students work in cubicles? Here’s more on plans to open a second school in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

GOP moves to weaken Glenda Ritz, unions – “Education Committee Chairman Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, said he crafted the proposal to assure an “impartial” manager oversaw vouchers. Behning said Ritz, who campaigned against vouchers in her successful run against former state Superintendent Tony Bennett last November, gave assurances that she would faithfully manage the program and follow the law.” Indianapolis Star

The Other Problems With Florida’s New Education Standards And Testing – Our colleagues in the Sunshine State report former Indiana State Superintendent Tony Bennett, now Florida Commissioner of Education, is working on a “plan B” in case local schools or new tests aren’t ready for Common Core implementation in 2014. StateImpact Florida

MCS wants kindergarteners registered by April – “And because the district’s school board has put back on the table a discussion of closing some secondary schools, those enrollment numbers at the elementary level become even more critical.” Muncie Star Press