Indianapolis, IN
Indiana House advances legislation on literacy coaches, math intervention
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The author of a major education bill on Monday said it goes a long way toward teaching students critical math and reading skills.
The House on Monday unanimously approved legislation to create a literacy coach program and a math intervention program. Bill author Rep. Jake Teshka, a Republican from North Liberty, told News 8 his bill is a follow-up to last year’s legislation that required teachers to be trained in the Science of Reading curriculum. The literacy coaches would have to be certified in the Science of Reading curriculum and have either a master’s degree in teaching and three years of experience teaching reading, or a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience teaching it. Rather than working directly with students, Teshka said, the coaches would work with teachers, mostly in kindergarten through Grade 3, to make their reading lessons more effective.
Teshka said he views his bill as a companion to the Senate’s reading proficiency bill, which he is carrying in the House.
“We want to make sure that we are giving a student every possible chance to not be retained at that third-grade mark,” he said. “And so this is going to help them by ensuring that there’s high-quality instruction in the classroom.”
Teshka’s bill also requires schools to create a math intervention program for students in kindergarten through Grade 8 who struggle with math. He said American students are about five years behind their Chinese counterparts in math proficiency. He said math, like reading, is a foundational skill students will need for the rest of their lives.
Almost the entire House roster was present and voted in favor of the bill. Rep. Vernon Smith, a Democrat from Gary, is the ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee and a former teacher and principal. Smith said the bill incorporates techniques he tried successfully during his teaching career.
“Reading affects all other subject areas as far as achievement is concerned, so it’s so important that we teach our children and empower them to be good readers,” he said.
Smith said he wished the bill included prescriptions for a reading intervention program similar to the math intervention program. He said he hoped the Senate would address this when it takes up the bill.
Monday marked the last day for the House to vote on bills originating in that chamber. Senate bills face an identical deadline on Tuesday. Lawmakers will take the second half of the week off. When they return to work next week, each chamber will begin working on legislation that has already passed the other chamber.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Community Love Fest 2026, an initiative happening over four days, will start on Wednesday at an Indianapolis church.
The STR8UP Mentoring Foundation, touted as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit to help at-risk urban youths, aims for the event to be a safe and productive start to summer for Indianapolis youth and families.
The kickoff rally will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 4958 Ribble Road. That’s off East 30th Street west of its intersections with Massachusetts Avenue and Emerson Avenue.
A community cleanup day will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at 3036 N. Sherman Drive, just north of East 30th Street.
A basketball tournament and a health and resource fair will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St.
STR8UP programs include educational partnerships that support students from kindergarten through young adulthood, and intramural sports to encourage teamwork and healthy competition.
-
Connecticut1 second ago
Night forecast for June 2
-
Delaware7 minutes agoThomas Jefferson University to run Delaware’s first medical school
-
Florida10 minutes agoMan accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida
-
Georgia15 minutes ago5 things to know about Georgia mosquito problem amid heat, drought
-
Hawaii22 minutes agoHawaii weather: USGS revised 4.6 magnitude earthquake off Kona coast, south swell, passing showers
-
Idaho25 minutes agoIdaho state troopers identify Billings man missing in traffic accident
-
Illinois30 minutes agoHistorical Corn versus Soybean Returns in Illinois – farmdoc daily
-
Indiana37 minutes agoIndiana football has top-rated transfer in ESPN rankings, and 3 in top 20
