Check this page often.  We'll update with new articles and opinion columns as they come in.  Perhaps they'll inspire you to contact your legislators and write letters your local media.

If you see something we should post, send an email to vic790@aol.com and our webmaster will take care of it.

"Smart ALEC," The Journal Gazette, May 13

"Parent letter to Indiana Select Commission on Education," School Matters Blog, April 30

"OUR VIEW Grades show east Central Indiana has much work to do," The Star Press, April 25
(Note: An additional graph to this story can be found here.)

"Spinning school vouchers," The Journal Gazette, April 20

"Catholic Schools Drop Finder's Fees," The Journal Gazette, March 23

"Voucher lawsuit headed to Indiana Supreme Court," School Matters, March 22

"Morton Marcus: Vouchers raise meaningful question." Howey Politics Indiana, March 22

"Vouchers place public and private schools in unfair competition," The Southbend Tribune March 18

"Minor Indiana school reforms find last-minute success," Indiana Business Journal March 12

"Guest Column: See who's behind the curtain of education reform," JCOnline, March 9

"Education attack abated," The Journal Gazette, March 12

"Tax season in Indiana, private schools reign supreme," School Matters, March 5

"Online story says investors are getting queasy about investing in for-profit online schools because of poor results," February 28, 2012

"Grading system likely to hurt high-poverty schools most," Scott Elliott, Indianapolis Star, February 24

"A smart ALEC threatens public education," Underwood & Mead, Kappan Magazine February 21

"Local educators unsure of impacts of 'No Child' waiver," Lindsey Ziliak, Pharos-Tribune February 12

"Record graduation rate in Indiana," Ellie Price, Courier-Journal February 11

"State Panel Approves Rewire," Kyle Stokes, State Impact February 8

"Some give Indiana's new school grading system failing marks," Scott Elliott, Indianapolis Star February 8

"New A to F Rule Pass," Scott Elliott, Indianapolis Star February 8

"Paranoid, Not At All," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, January 25

"Charter Schools A Sure Bet," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, January 16

"Expanding the Most Expansive," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, January 4

"Thousand could pour into voucher program," AP story in Indianapolis Business Journal, January 25

"DOE hears opposition to proposed system for school A to F Grades," Indianapolis Star, January 18

"School grading method under fire," WTHR Channel 13, January 17
(Note: The article with video can be found here, but as it is property of WTHR, it will be removed and/or archived at their discretion.)

"Opponents Of Sped-Up School Takeover Timeline Let State Officials Have It," State Impact, January 17

"US Secretary Of Education Opposes School Vouchers In Indiana, Supports ‘Good’ Charter Schools," State Impact, January 13

"U.S. Secretary of Educations Says He Doesn't Like Vouchers," (audio) WIBC, January 15

"School voucher law upheld by Marion County Judge," Indianapolis Star, January 14

"Vic Smith with 93.1 WIBC's Joe Ulrey," (audio) WIBC, January 14

"School Board Member: A to F Grading System Too Narrow," Indianapolis Star, January 11

"Grade Plan Can Affect More Than Educators," The Republic, January 8

Two articles indicate Ohio's voucher program is causing harm to public school funding and lacks accountability.

"Why are the rich so interested in public-school reform?" Time, December 9

"Is school choice wise choice for Hoosiers? NO: Constitutional prohibitions are clear," Fort Wayne Gazette, December 20

"Is school choice wise choice for Hoosiers? YES: Vouchers are decades-old option," Fort Wayne Gazette, December 20

"Judge to run on vouchers' legality within 30 days," Indianapolis Star, December 19

"Superintendent Say Vouchers Hit Hard," Inside Indiana Business, November 29

"School Districts Fear More Takeovers," Indianapolis Star, November 17

"Marion County, IPS Schools Reach Graduation Goals, " Indianapolis Star, November 16

"Voucher savings? Don't count on it," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, November 14

"Shifting enrollment blurs tracking of voucher dollars", Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, November 9

"Hundreds of students use vouchers in northwest Indiana," Northwest Indiana Times, October 10

"More schools, fewer dollars for each," by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, October 5

"True to their Schools," column by Dan Carpenter, Indianapolis Star, September 27

"Coalition Organizes to Defend Public School," NWI Times, September 24

"Where Students Count," Editorial, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, September 21

"Religious schools dominate vouchers in Marion County, Indianapolis Star, August 18

Judge won't grant injunction against Indiana voucher law, Indianapolis Star, August 16

"Follow the money in school privatization," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, August 16

Colorado judge grants injunction against Colorado voucher law

"How to Mold Public Opinion Against Public Schools," Education Week, August 3

"Voucher Advocacy Shifting Focus, Report Says," Education Week, July 27

New law that could steer millions in tax dollars to religious schools will get the scrutiny it missed in courtroom, The Journal Gazette, July 6

"Ed reform, brought to you by Walmart," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, July 6

"An Objective View: Indiana schools can't seem to win for losing, it seems," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, July 13

"State taxes not meant for religion," Tracy Warren, column posting, The Journal Gazette, July 12

"No quick fixes," The shotgun approach to school improvement gets a critical look, Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, July 6

"Suit filed to nullify voucher program: Cites constitutional ban on aid to religious schools," The Journal Gazette, July 2

The New York Times looks at the subject of cherry-picking in a story detailing a young boy's transfer out of a charter
school after just 12 days, Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, July 11

"Legislative safeguards can't keep state from court," The Journal Gazette, July 10

"Running a Race Against Ourselves: Inefficient, ineffective education policy reforms rule the day," Education Week, July 5

A lawsuit was filed requesting a preliminary injunction against the implementation of Indiana’s recently enacted school voucher law, The Journal Gazette, July 1

"Voucher victory lap," Karen Francisco, blog posting, The Journal Gazette, June 28

"Vouchers are tax refund for few, select families," The Journal Gazette, July 16

"View of education changes is in eye of the beholder," Indianapolis Star, July 18

125 private schools have applied for voucher program; nearly all 80 approved to date have been religious schools, Indianapolis Star, July 14

Interesting viewpoint in this letter from someone who is a both a Catholic school teacher and parent

"Editorial: More energy for politics," The Tribune Star, July 14

"School voucher program is headed to court," Indianapolis Star, July 2

"Laws allow 12 years of vouchers," The Journal Gazette, June 26

"Vouchers and the new tithe," Indianapolis Star, June 29

"Want to get a school voucher?" Indianapolis Star, June 26

"LEADing with optimism," The Journal Gazette, June 5

"Dan Carpenter: Schools and what they need," Indianapolis Star, June 3

"A growing imbalance," The Journal Gazette, June 3

"Agenda for education," The Journal Gazette, June 2

"The poor get poorer," The Journal Gazette, May 31

"Propping up private-school enrollment," The Journal Gazette, May 27

"Indiana's phony grassroots reform," The Journal Gazette, May 25

"A Democrat's rebuttal to Bosma's assessment," Indianapolis Star, May 24

"Mowing with weedkiller," The Journal Gazette, May 24

"Report charts enrollment drop in private schools," Education Week, May 26

"2 Indiana schools academically, socially a world apart," The Journal Gazette, May 29

"Is Indiana's new school-funding formula robbery or balancing act," Indianapolis Star, May 9

"GOP changes may 'destroy public schools,' former superintendent says," The Tribune Star, May 1

“House OKs charter, voucher bills,” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, April 28

“This says ‘Indiana General Assembly to public schools: Drop dead,’” says Rep. Ed Delaney in story about education bills passing, Indianapolis Star, April 28

The In School Matters blog picks up on Rep. Delaney’s quote

"What the Indiana legislature is doing now is so punitive and so destructive to public education..." says Diane Ravitch during IU lecture, Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette,  April 28

"Of teachers, tenure and political clout," The Journal Gazette, April 26

"Pro-voucher astroturfing: Campaigns across nation coordinated by DeVos, funded by a few mega-donors," Talk to Action blog, April 24

"The toll on teachers," The Journal Gazette, April 23

"A taxing tale," The Journal Gazette, April 17

"Welcome to other side of vouchers," The Tribune-Star: Readers Forum, April 24

"Put school dollars in context," The Journal Gazette, April 24

"New law limits teachers' union bargaining chips," The Tribute-Star, April 21

"Cut your taxes by home schooling," The Journal Gazette Learning Curve blog, April 21

"Arizona's 'Rigged Privilege'," The Journal Gazette Learning Curve blog, April 5

"Vouchers: Do what we didn't say," The Journal Gazette Learning Curve blog, April 4

"Putting a face on the voucher debate," The Journal Gazette Learning Curve blog, April 1

"An Unusual Charter Tale," The Journal Gazette Learning Curve blog, April 1

"The Voucher Reality," Indianapolis Star, April 19

"Voucher Advocate Betsy DeVos, Right-Wing Think Tanks Behind Koch-Style Attack on PA Public Schools," Talk to Action blog, April 20

"Debate arises over accessibility of schools eligible for vouchers," The Herald Bulletin, April 19

Full-day kindertgarten funding is good news, but it doesn't offset losses to charters and vouchers, School Matters blog, April 19

"Funds Give Full-Day Kindergarten Boost," Indianapolis Star, April 16

"Charter schools bill nears finish line," Indianapolis Star, April 13

"Private school vouchers come with strings attached," Indianapolis Star, April 13

"Teachers rally to save public education," Northwest Indiana Times, April 5

"Slow down education reform to study the consequences," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, April 5

OK, we all know this isn't really about police, it's about schools, column by Dan Carpenter, Indianapolis Star, April 5

“Who’s minding charter schools,” editorial, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, April 5

"Words come back to haunt" points out a conflict in the rationale about voucher bill intent, Indianapolis Star, April 3

House passes voucher bill, Indianapolis Star, March 31

House passes budget, school funding freeze, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 31

House OKs one of the most expansive voucher bills in the country, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 31

"Study finds high dropout rates for black males in KIPP schools," Education Week, March 31

“Rhee-ly” bad timing for education rally, Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 30

House GOP just says 'no' to Democrats' amendments, Indianapolis Star, March 30

“Poor choice for Milwaukee voucher students,” Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 29

House Democrats return to Indiana General Assembly, Indianapolis Star, March 29

“Superintendent of government instruction?,” Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 24

Vouchers a distraction from raising bar for all schools, Indianapolis Star, March 23

“Call a truce,” editorial column by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 20

"By state's own standards, schools aren't failing," Indianapolis Star, March 15

Elkhart teachers buy billboard space, want you to know about all they do, Elkhart Truth, March 14

Charter School bills would hurt public education, South Bend Tribune, March 11

212 Indiana schools -- probably including some close to you -- are eligible for takeover by the state under HB 1479.  Read the ICPE news release.

Indianapolis mayor announces charter school closure; others receive short renewal or are still being evaluated, Indianapolis Business Journal e-news, March 18

“Districts wouldn’t share transportation funds with charters,” article about amendments to charter school bill, Indianapolis Star, March 17

“Call it like it is,” Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 14

More school districts are passing resolutions opposing the charter school expansion and voucher bills.  To see examples, click here to view MSD of Washington Township's, click here and here to view the ones from Vigo County, click here and here to see the ones from Merrillville, and here to view the letter from the MSD of Lawrence Township.  We think these districts would be honored if you use theirs as a starting point to create a similar statement from your own district to let your legislators know how you feel. 

Spirited legislative cracker barrel session in Terre Haute draws public education supporters, Terre Haute Tribune Star, March 13

"On further review, charter gains are insignificant," editorial, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 12

"Education reform benefits only a few," guest column by Lee Rademacher, Gary Post-Tribune, March 10

"What’s the rush for charters?," Karen Francisco, blog posting, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 10

"Don’t cut teachers’ pay when students improve," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, March 10

"State leaders’ talk doesn’t align with education facts," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star,March 10

Senate committee skeptical of plan to expand charter schools, Northwest Indiana Times, March 10

"Home school, voucher bill would affect high school athletics," Indianapolis Star, March 7

"Education reform is another ploy against middle class," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, March 7

"Big problem with Daniels' portrayal of teachers," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, March 7

"Radical changes won't mean better teachers," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, March 7

"Flashpoint: Creating distractions from real agenda," Tribune-Star, March 6

"Homegrown school turnarounds," Journal Gazette, March 4

"An Education Entitlement," Journal Gazette, March 3

"Public funds for private schools flunks reform tests," Tribune-Star, Feb. 27

“Party leaders meet at Statehouse, but much work remains,” Indianapolis Star, March 3

Vigo County elected officials oppose voucher bill, Terre Haute Tribune Star, March 2

Editorial questions whether teacher wages deserve to be targeted, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, March 2

According to IBJ's afternoon e-newsletter and AP, the voucher bill is getting a makeover, March 1

It's not a scientific survey, but 90% of respondents to Indiana Week in Review's poll last week oppose vouchers -- see the graphic on our home page

"Will state's top court settle school vouchers?" Indianapolis Star, Feb. 28

Bosma says bill deadlines will be extended to next Friday, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 24

"Controversy over school vouchers swirls," Lafayette Journal and Courier, Feb. 24

"Hundreds of teachers protest education bills," AP story, Feb. 24

"Democrats settle into exile," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 24

"Both parties have bolted at times," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 24

"Politically transparent, educationally half-baked attacks on that bastion of equal opportunity, the public school, present a crisis too great to be met with a noble losing vote," eloquent words from Dan Carpenter in his Indianapolis Star column, Feb. 23

"Daniels' voucher plan isn't the smartest way to fix schools," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 23

Ball State revokes charter for third Imagine school in Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 22

Arizona news story may be a preview of what’s in store in Indiana with charter expansion, according to blog posting by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 22

Proposed school reforms are detrimental to student success, Indiana Statesman, Feb. 21

Fort Wayne Community Schools' Montessori option is a hit with kids and parents, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 21

State representatives decry education bills at Anderson town hall meeting, Anderson Herald Bulletin, Feb. 20 "What's the story on IPS Arlington Woods Elementary School?" School Matters, Feb. 21

"Gary, IPS are biggest losers in GOP school funding plan," School Matters, Feb. 21

"State voucher plan bad for taxpayers," an editorial from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 19

"Washington Township parents tell Bennett their concerns about charter bills," Indianapolis Star, Feb. 17

Public schools’ diversity is an unmatched advantage,” letter to the editor, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 17

“Voucher proponents’ morality play,” blog posting by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 15

"House panel gives nod to voucher bill," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 17

"School voucher, teacher evaluation bills advance," Indianapolis Star, Feb. 17

Teacher sees segregation stamped all over voucher bill, Terre Haute Tribune Star readers’ forum, Feb. 13

"Accounting for voucher dollars," education blog posting by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 16

"Panel Closes in on Voucher Vote," Indianapolis Star, Feb. 16

Indiana PTA weighs in on the voucher bill, Inside Indiana Business, Feb. 16

“Vigo Schools fear bills’ effects,” Terre Haute Tribune Star, Feb. 15

"House committee hears hours of testimony on vouchers," WIBC, Feb. 15

“House committee has hearing on voucher bill today,” Evansville Courier and Press, Feb. 15

"Group forms to fight against education reform proposal," WIBC, Feb. 14

“School voucher bill heard today,” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 15

“Clamor for vouchers? Not so much,” education blog posting by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 14

"Martinsville teachers rally in support of public education," WRTV-6, Feb. 14

"Education reform fires up valley residents," Terre Haute Tribune Star, Feb. 13

How is private takeover working out elsewhere?  See why the DC schools had to take back the "takeover."  Check this out from the Washington Post, Dec. 8, 2010

"Charters and vouchers are poor choices, letter from Janet Gibson and other Waynedale teachers, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 13

"Support public Schools; they offer stability, inclusiveness," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 13

"No Child law, ISTEP leave education in worse shape," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 13

"Reform efforts stifle teachers," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 13

"Maybe governor could learn something from teachers," letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 13

"The Indiana House and Senate have abandoned the children of Indiana," blog posting, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 10

"Waking the Sleeping Giant," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 10

"Charter schools are no silver bullet.  And public schools aren't failing," a quote from House Speaker Brian Bosma in this story about the Feb. 8 rally at the Statehouse, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 9

Teachers rally at Statehouse, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 9

Taxpayers want money to remain in public education says new IU poll, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 9

"Public Schools’ Diversity Keeps Us Connected," letter to the editor by IU professor William Scheuerman, Indianapolis Star, Feb. 9

"Valley teachers join Statehouse rally," Terre Haute Tribune Star, Feb. 9

"The Belichick Effect," blog column by Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 8

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett stands to benefit directly if education bills are approved according to this editorial from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 7

"The Great School Massacre of 2011," an opinion column by Tom Henderson, Indianapolis Business Journal, Feb. 7

"Money Talks in the Indiana School Voucher Debate," from the School Matters blog, Feb. 5

Fort Wayne Teachers Rally to Protest Education Agenda, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 4

Money and Politics, Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 2

No anti-public education surprises here, Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 1

From economist Dr. Morton Marcus, "Indiana Says If It's Broken, Throw it Out," Indianapolis Business Journal and other publications statewide, Jan. 31

A wonderful editorial from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan. 30

"Charter, Vouchers, Merit Pay - None of These Will Work," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, Jan. 29

"Vouchers Aren't the Answer for our Neediest Students," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, Jan. 29

"With Sound Education Goals, Parents' Mood is Irrelevant," Letters to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, Jan. 29

No one defends public schools quite like Stephanie Salter in the Terre Haute Tribune Star.  This one's from Dec. 5, 2010.

If you liked Stephanie's first column, here's a follow up on Dec. 9, 2010. read on

And another good one Jan. 2, 2011 from Stephanie

"Choice" is available in public schools.  Read this Jan. 24, 2011 article from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

"Missing the Point on Charters," an editorial column by Karen Francisco in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan. 27, 2011.

"Vouchers No Bargain," an editorial from the Kokomo Tribune, Jan. 20

"Local Teachers Upset, Offended," news article about the State of the State address, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 12

"The Trouble With School Vouchers," opinion column by Daniel Holm, Associate Professor, IU-South Bend, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 20

"Bosma Faces Skeptical Teachers," news story, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 27

"Kindergarten Vouchers for All," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 26

"Show Us the Data," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 25

Are test score comparisons to foreign schools valid?  Read "Voucher Tales II," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 21

"Policing the Rush to Charter Schools," editorial, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 16

Are the pro-voucher ad claims that a student drops out every 21 minutes true?  Not necessarily.  Read "Voucher Supporters' Dropout-Worthy Math," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 14

"Sizing up Mitch Daniels' Claims," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, January 12

"Whose School Choice?," Karen Francisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette January 5

"Parochial Schools: Be Careful, You May Not Want Vouchers," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, January 28

"No to Vouchers: Give Schools More Resources," Letter from the ever-eloquent Carole Craig, co-chair of the NAACP (Indianapolis) Education Committee, Indianapolis Star, January 28

"Vouchers Don't Mean Better Test Scores," a column by Dr. John Ellis, Executive Director, Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, Indianapolis Star, January 9

"Vouchers Would Open the Door to Proselytizing," Letter to the Editor, Indianapolis Star, January 14

"Are Vouchers the Best Choice for Students?," a column by Matthew Tully, the Indianapolis Star reporter who followed a year in the life of IPS Emmerich Manual High School in 2010-2011, January 16

"The V Word," blog posting published in the Indianapolis Star by an award-winning IPS magnet school principal, January 18

"Public Schools Must Remain an Option for Top Students," Letter to the Editor. Indianapolis Star, January 27

"Whom to Believe," Indianapolis Star blog post, January 12

"What the Public Does Not Want," Indianapolis Star blog post, January 10

"Schooling Without Thinking," column by Indianapolis Star op ed page columnist Dan Carpenter, January 13

"Losing Common Ground," column by Indianapolis Star op ed page columnist Dan Carpenter, January 6