Education

STATEHOUSE  – House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-­Indianapolis) today announced his appointments to a new panel charged with recommending a replacement for the ISTEP test. Under a new law, the state’s troubled ISTEP test will be phased out by July 1, 2017, and a 23­ member panel, a majority of whom are educators, will recommend a new, standardized test. “The ISTEP test is a seriously damaged brand and has become an ongoing source of frustration among our students, educators and parents,” Bosma said. “While we need critical performance assessments, not having results of the test for eight months is simply…

Muncie, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College East Central Region recently concluded their 9th annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for this tax season. Ivy Tech Community College’s VITA program offers free federal and state income tax return preparation and e-filing for students, faculty, staff, and lower income general public taxpayers. VITA program volunteers prepared over 90 tax returns at the Muncie and Anderson campus locations resulting in over $168,000 and $16,000 in federal and state tax refunds respectively. Additionally, taxpayers saved approximately $11,125 in tax preparation costs. The VITA program also provides a great real-world learning tool for the…

By: Ana Pichardo— Adult Education Graduation Ceremomy Thursday, May 12, 2016 beginning at 7pm Muncie Central High School Auditorium Adult learners who have participated in the Muncie Community Schools Adult Education program will be earning HSE Certificates and high school diplomas during the commencement program.  The speeches and stories of these students are always inspiring and interesting. Career & Technical Education Awards Program Thursday, May 19, 2016, beginning at 7:00 PM Muncie Area Career Center Gymnasium MACC students from eleven high schools in the region will be awarded Technical Certifications, Ivy Tech College transcripts, WorkKey Certification, scholarships, and many other awards…

By: Dr. Steven Baule, Superintendent of Muncie Community Schools— Dear MCS Stakeholders, I feel it is appropriate to take a few minutes to provide all stakeholders with an update regarding the corporation’s fiscal situation. In some ways, I understand this seems like old news. The Muncie Community Schools have been in a cost containment cycle for the better part of two decades according to many staff members who have worked here throughout that time. However, the key difference is that there is no longer any fund balance to utilize to allow the corporation to continue to deficit spend. The facts are not…

Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts will offer a series of classes this summer for youth, families and adults in a wide variety of areas. The Summer Eight Week Class Session begins the week of June 6th and continues through July 29th. Cornerstone’s class fees are affordable, one-time payments that cover the full eight weeks of class. Areas of interest include: visual arts, theatre, dance, fitness, and music. Children and families classes include: Early Ballet I & II, Early Ballet for ages 1-2, Youth Ballet I, Family Dance Time, Early Tap I & II, Youth Tap, Early Hip Hop Jazz…

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State Board of Trustees today reviewed an updated campus master plan proposal that establishes a long-range, phased framework aligning the university’s strategic, academic and physical plant goals. The proposal, the first of its kind in more than 20 years, emphasizes: an academic experience focused on entrepreneurial learning, in and out of the classroom a vibrant residential community that provides unique educational and engagement opportunities a vision that addresses institutional and state priorities, and is supportive of Indiana’s economy reuse, renovation and reallocation opportunities to maximize efficient use of resources “A campus master plan, at its…

By: Shawn Rogers for the Muncie Journal— The wind was whipping and the air was crisp. On a beautiful, sunny day in April, the below normal temperatures didn’t keep Koorsen Fire & Security from hosting their Annual Spring Fire Training for the emergency education students at the Muncie Area Career Center.  Koorsen’s fire training program is designed to give students hands on experience with how to handle a fire extinguisher and properly extinguish a fire in the event of an emergency. The training begins with an educational piece that covers the standard ABC fire extinguisher, the different classes of fires it…

By: Janelle Davis— The DelCom Educational Foundation will host its fifth annual “A Taste of DelCom” Awards and Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Delta High School in the Auxiliary Gym.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m., tours and the chef’s parade will be 6-6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:00 p.m. The foundation will award 22 teacher grants, 11 student scholarships, and honor 4 retired teachers/staff members.  This year’s keynote speaker will be Delta alumnus, Joey Lynch who is the current Ball State University Offensive Football Coordinator. Join them for a fun filled evening with tasty recipes prepared by…