Jennifer McCormick

All Indiana teachers collectively won the 2021 Teacher of the Year in recognition of the challenges each face during the pandemic, the state education department said Tuesday.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says the local response from school districts to support Indiana’s more than 1 million K-12 students learning from home is taking shape but the disparity in funding is emphasizing inequalities. 

School districts are struggling to provide robust e-learning options to families. A reason some can not, she says, is inadequate state funding. 

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 13 additional deaths Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 78. The state announced a total of more than 3,000 confirmed cases, with more than 16,000 Hoosiers tested. 

K-12 School Buildings Closed For Academic Year

Indiana K-12 schools will not reopen this academic year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Indiana K-12 schools will not reopen this academic year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The Indiana Department of Education ordered schools Thursday to develop plans to prepare for the long-term fallout from that decision.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says those “continuous learning plans" will help the state see how schools will continue educating all kindergarteners through high school juniors while buildings remain shut.