Morning Bell: Vote On Proposed School Voucher Expansion Expected Thursday

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

A picture of Pope Benedict XVI hangs in the hallway of St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis.

Push to expand Indiana’s school voucher program draws stiff opposition – “The proposal was the subject of a five-hour hearing Tuesday in the House Education Committee and will get a vote in the panel’s Thursday meeting. It’s a top item on Pence’s first-year legislative agenda.” Evansville Courier & Press

EACS hears plea to sponsor charter school – “Johnson Academy is searching for a new sponsor after Ball State University announced recently not to renew the school’s charter, citing low test scores and insufficient improvement. State law allows traditional public school boards to sponsor charters.” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Senators OK cursive requirement – “The Indiana Department of Education dropped its cursive writing requirement in 2011, after the State Board of Education voted to adopt Common Core State Standards. The Common Core standards require elementary school students to be proficient in computer keyboarding, but not in cursive writing.” Kokomo Tribune

Parents of special needs student irate over duct-taped shoes – “Shaylyn, who has Down syndrome, had her socks bound tightly to her shoes with duct tape in her classroom at Westlake Elementary School in Wayne Township.” (Here’s our recap of a hearing last week on proposed legislation to require Indiana schools adopt formal rules governing seclusion and restraint.) Indianapolis Star