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The purpose of this research was to examine funding losses experienced by preschool to grade 12 (P-12) public school districts in Indiana, U.S., from an equity standpoint after the implementation of statewide property tax caps. All Indiana public school districts (N = 292) rely on property taxes as a major source of revenue, but districts experienced widely varying losses after the tax reform. Analyses across an array of district characteristics revealed significant relationships between differential funding losses and demographic indicators, including total student enrollment and the percentages of certain minoritized students. Implications for policy and practice include the integration of findings with essential research on funding equity in public education and attention on leadership toward reducing funding disparities.

This study examines administrators' perspectives of a state-developed principal evaluation model adopted by a majority of Indiana school districts after legislation mandated policy reform in educator evaluation. Feedback was gathered from public school superintendents (the evaluators) and principals (those being evaluated), with 364 participants. Mixed-methods analyses revealed areas of model utility, implementation challenges, and statistically significant differences between principals' and superintendents' perceptions of model efficacy. Both superintendents and principals agreed the new model was an improvement over traditional, locally developed models; however, superintendents rated the model higher in efficacy and implementation fidelity. Principal participants did not perceive the new model to be effective for principal evaluation and would not recommend the model to colleagues. Implications for future policy development in educator evaluation include the integration of findings from essential evaluative research. Recommendations for practice include suggestions for facilitating field-based support when developing and implementing evaluative models.

This study examined Indiana public middle school principals' perceptions of school conditions and stakeholders' attitudes regarding middle-grade lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. Principals' responses revealed that inclusive school environments and caring faculty members were prominent factors in successfully providing support to middle-grade LGBTQ students, while the negative attitudes of some parents, community members, and school staff members were barriers to supporting LGBTQ youth. Principals' self-reported attitudes toward LGBTQ students were favorable and were found to be statistically significant in predicting their reports of school stakeholders' attitudes, especially teachers. Implications for principal preparation programs and recommendations for school leadership practice are discussed.

This study investigates the frequency of research-based leadership strategies utilized by newly hired school principals in the workplace. Public school superintendents in Indiana were asked to respond to two open-ended research questions. Through the use of content analysis, their comments were coded for the occurrence of effective leadership practices. The Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards were used as classification categories. The findings revealed that collaboration and skills in instruction, curriculum, and evaluation were the most frequently observed leadership skills. Management skills were identified as the area in greatest need of improvement, especially a noted lack of budgetary skills. The content analysis identified categories of responses in addition to the ELCC standards. Superintendents repeatedly commented on new principals' strong interpersonal skills and suggested that additional years of experience would enhance the principals' development of the most influential leadership skills.

This study investigated teacher evaluation practices used in Indiana as the state was implementing a mandated teacher evaluation system (Public Law 90) and early reporting of subsequent teacher effectiveness results by the Indiana Department of Education. The study surveyed public school administrators: (a) superintendents, (b) special education directors, and (c) K-12 building principals via e-mail using Qualtrics. A total of 2,444 administrators were invited to participate with a 28% return rate. Summative and formative teacher evaluation methods were used, but emergent methods (as mandated in PL 90) were not widely used. Recommendations for a more unified approach to teacher evaluation are emphasized.

Principals should lead for social justice, particularly in support of marginalized and vulnerable students like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. This quantitative survey-based study collected data from 116 middle grade principals in Indiana to examine the implementation of antibullying policies and best practices supporting LGBTQ students. Findings suggest that utilization of research-based policies and practices may provide protection and support to LGBTQ students from bullying and discrimination at school. Implications for practice include integration of findings with essential research on bullying and LGBTQ youth.

This study investigates the performance of Indiana's new principals per the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and the Indiana Content Standards for building-level leader preparation. Using quantitative survey methodology, information was collected from Indiana superintendents regarding the effectiveness of principals who had recently completed university administrative preparation programs. Analysis of responses revealed that superintendents viewed their new principals as "proficient" in almost every area, with the highest mean observed in the category of "Integrity". In contrast, the mean response for "financial management" was found to be in the "basic" range, creating implications for an area of potential development in school leadership education in the state.

In recent years, economic downturn and changes to Indiana's school funding have resulted in significant financial reductions in General Fund allocations for many of Indiana's public school corporations. The main purpose of this statewide study is to examine the possible impacts of these budget reductions on class size and student achievement. This three-year, quantitative study examines budget cutback amounts, teaching position reductions, per-pupil spending changes, class-size data, and student-achievement indicators. Methods of data collection include a statewide superintendent's survey, an evaluation of student achievement indicators, and a collection of public financial records of participating Indiana school corporations. Currently, year one is complete. A compilation of this data provides current information regarding General Fund budgets, position reductions, and class sizes for Indiana's public schools. (Contains 1 table.)

After two failed referendum attempts and facing serious budget shortfalls, the Franklin Township Community School Corporation in Indianapolis became the first public school district in Indiana to eliminate their existing school-provided transportation services for all general education students. This article explores the background and rationale behind this landmark decision, as well as economic and policy consequences for Indiana's K-12 public schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]