RCP Learning Downtown: Introduction; Topics; K-12 Education

35 INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL CENTER PLAN 2020 PLANNING DOWNTOWN’S FUTURE TODAY LEARNING DOWNTOWN INTRODUCTION Learning is vital. The future of Downtown and the community as a whole are tied to it. Whether in the form of research and higher education, K-12 education or lifelong learning, any realistic strategy to address physical, social or economic development in the Regional Center must consider the significance of learning. this reason, a committee composed of key leaders in the areas of education, industry and commerce, real estate, law, public relations and government was assembled. The Learning Downtown Committee met monthly on fi occasions beginning in December 2002 to identify assets and liabilities, consider goals and objectives and propose various projects and programs. Procedurally, the Committee reviewed demographic and programmatic information and consulted with key resource persons to provide a more complete and timely assessment of needs and opportunities. Primary K-12 education is a platform upon which other educational pursuits are based and as such is a priority for future development. The quality of K-12 educational opportunities is also critical for attracting and retaining talented families and individuals. Similarly, the opportunities to participate in leading edge research and to attend top tier higher education institutions relates directly to BioCrossroads- Central Indiana Life Science Network and continued biomedical- based economic development. Opportunities for lifelong learning, particularly in the form of arts and cultural facilities and programs, enhance not only the educational opportunities available in the community, but the quality of life. TOPICS This Learning Downtown section covers the following topics: 13. K-12 Education 14. Research and Higher Education 15. Lifelong Learning 13. K-12 EDUCATION Having a high-quality K-12 educational system is critically important to the future of our youth. It is also key to life sciences and other important local initiatives. The availability of top-notch science and math education programs will assist in attracting and retaining creative people. Fund raising and corporate support will be needed to develop new programs and upgrade existing facilities. It will also be important to recruit and train quality teachers to support quality K-12 schools. The IUPUI School of Education is working with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and others to accomplish this objective. For maximum impact, efforts to enhance K-12 education should also address: ｷ Student Financial Assistance Delivery Although scholarship opportunities for extra- curricular activities currently exist, they are often decentralized and limited in scope. ｷ Neighborhood School Concept For a variety of reasons, the role of local schools as gathering places and neighborhood focal points has diminished. ｷ Literacy Needs According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress Survey, an assessment of 17 year olds' ability to comprehend the kind of complex information required to succeed in college revealed that only half of all white participants, a quarter of Latinos and less than one-fifth of African-Americans were able to perform at this level. Because of the prevalence of social services and group quarters within the Regional Center, there is a disproportionate share of high school dropouts. Data from the 2000 Census indicate that within the Regional Center, 35 percent of the population aged 16-19 were high school dropouts compared to only 15 percent in Marion County. Having this concentration within the Regional Center may offer an opportunity for concentrated delivery of GED and literacy services. Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) IPS is the single largest provider of K-12 educational programs in the Regional Center. According to IPS planners, in the 2002-2003 school year, there were 692 children from the Regional Center attending IPS schools. In the same year, there were six IPS schools in or near the Regional Center with a total enrollment of 4,672. IPS directly provides or sponsors many excellent facilities and programs in or near the Regional Center. These include: ｷ Arsenal Technical High School, ｷ The Pacers Academy, ｷ Center For Inquiry, K-8 magnet program, ｷ GED Testing Center, ｷ Washington Community School, ｷ Crispus Attucks School and Museum, ｷ Key School, ｷ GRADES Program, LEARNING DOWNTOWN IPS Benjamin Harrison School #2 Center for Inquiry