Indiana Department of Education

Two Region charter schools have gotten state funding to boost their STEM education efforts. East Chicago Lighthouse Charter was awarded $43,875 in STEM Integration Grant funding. Gary Lighthouse Charter School got just over $44,200.

A Region school is being honored for its commitment to military families. East Chicago's Benjamin Harrison Elementary is one of 20 newly-designated Purple Star schools, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

Northwest Indiana schools are getting grant funding to help them attract and retain teachers. The Indiana Department of Education says Valparaiso University and 11 school districts were awarded $223,770 from the Attract, Prepare, Retain program. That money can be used to give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for education programs and encourage people from underrepresented groups to become teachers, among other uses.

Three Northwest Indiana schools have gotten a National Blue Ribbon designation from the U.S. Department of Education. James B. Eads Elementary School in Munster, Central Elementary School in Valparaiso and Saint Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso were among just 297 nationwide to earn the distinction this year.

Another round of test scores shows that Lake County's urban schools continue to struggle more than other public schools. The 2021-2022 IREAD-3 results were released Wednesday. They measure reading skills among Indiana third graders.

Public schools in Lake County's urban core continue to struggle with ILEARN test scores. The results of the spring 2022 assessment were released by the Indiana Department of Education Wednesday.

Some local schools are getting funding to help connect students with high-wage, high-demand careers. The Indiana Department of Education has announced more than $57 million in Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grants. The goal is to increase the number of students taking part in work-based learning and earning credentials while in high school by encouraging schools, nonprofits and other organizations to collaborate on plans for career pathways.

Some local high schools have been chosen to take part in Indiana's new Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN). The Indiana Department of Education says UCAN will connect established Early College High Schools with those seeking the designation. That program helps schools put together a system that lets students earn college credits alongside their high school diploma, with support from the University of Indianapolis' Center of Excellence in Leadership and Learning.

Teachers in three local schools will sharpen their skills when it comes to STEM education. The Gary Community School Corporation's Bailly STEM Academy and Gary Middle School for the Visual & Performing Arts and School City of East Chicago's Joseph Block Middle School are among the 15 Indiana schools taking part in a STEM coaching program.

A Gary middle school is being recognized for its efforts in teaching science, technology, engineering and math. Bailly STEM Academy is now officially a STEM Certified School.