Teaching in Indianapolis Urban Schools
Indianapolis Teaching Fellows places Fellows within Indianapolis Public Schools and select Indianapolis Charter Schools. Our Fellows teach in schools throughout the city, where there is not only a need for highly qualified teachers in the areas of math, science, special education or Spanish, but also a need for teachers to take on the challenges of a high needs school. Teachers in Indianapolis are especially committed to overcoming the challenges that they face in helping their students achieve. The first year for any new teacher is challenging, and Fellows should anticipate expending intense effort throughout summer training and the school year in order to meet their personal goals – and in order to help their students reach new academic heights.
10 Culture Imperatives of IPS*
- Children come first!
- All employees are accountable for student achievement that meets or exceeds state standards.
- All employees will demonstrate professionalism and integrity.
- Student success is the only option.
- Potential is discovered and nurtured.
- Academic rigor is the norm.
- Communication is clear, open and timely.
- Students, parents, families and community members are essential partners.
- Diversity is valued as demonstrated by culturally competent practices.
- Facilities are safe, clean, secure and inviting.
Within the City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is the largest of 11 school districts, with a student population of 37,000. There are 50 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 5 high schools, 12 schools that are a combination of grade levels, and 4 alternative schools in the IPS district. IPS is considered a high need school district because more than 40% of its students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
IPS is committed to improving education through a number of initiatives, including the division of its 5 high schools into Small Schools, providing elementary schools with the resources necessary to ensure that all students are reading at or above grade level and enhancing technology by creating systems such as IPS Online, which allows students to access homework assignments and other resources online. IPS Online also allows parents to login to check their children’s grades, attendance and homework assignments.
With a strategic plan that focuses on: eliminating achievement gaps; recruiting, developing, and retaining quality staff; providing clean, safe learning environments; and engaging parents and community members in reaching goals, IPS is positioning itself to make significant improvements in the delivery of public education. But, there is still a need for additional highly qualified teachers to close the achievement gap between IPS students and other students in the State of Indiana. For example, during the 2006-2007 school year the state average for passage rates on the state standardized exam was 71% while the passage rate in the IPS system was 48%. Creative and innovative teachers are needed to keep students interested in school and to prevent dropouts. There is also a need for teachers with specialized knowledge and training in critical shortage areas such as math and science.
Please visit the IPS website for more information.
*http://www.about.ips.k12.in.us/imperatives/default.aspx
In May, 2001, Indiana became the 37th state to pass charter schools legislation. The law gives the mayor of Indianapolis, among other entities, the authority to charter schools. Currently, Indianapolis Teaching Fellows is collaborating with:
21st Learning Center at Fountain Square
21st Learning Center at Fall Creek
Herron High School
Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School
Indianapolis Metropolitan Career Academy #1
Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Indianapolis
Lawrence Early College High School for Science and Technology
Charter schools are public schools that are freed from many of the regulations governing traditional schools. They control their own curriculum, staffing, organization and budget. In exchange for this freedom, they must meet the highest academic standards. Charter schools must be open to every child regardless of race, religion, disability or academic ability. However, many charter schools have specific educational purposes focusing on particular topics or students with particular needs.
Charter schools differ from traditional public schools in that they are established by teachers, principals, education experts and/or parents, and are exempt from many state and school district regulations, making them essentially autonomous in their operation. Also, students who attend charter schools do so by choice; likewise, educators who teach at charter schools do so by choice. Finally, charter schools can be closed for producing unsatisfactory results.
Currently, Indianapolis Charters and Indianapolis Public Schools share simlarities in the diveristy of students and number of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program.
To read more about Indianapolis Charter Schools visit: http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Mayor/Education/Charter/home.htm
A teaching day in Indianapolis about 7.5 hours. A typical school day may run from 7:30 to 2:30 or from 8:50 to 3:40, depending on the school and how it structures its day. At the end of each school day, Fellows should also anticipate spending several hours tutoring students, meeting parents, grading student work, or even supervising extracurricular activities – as well as attending evening courses two or three nights a week at Marian College to earn their teaching license .
