[2] In 1854, Shortridge was part of the group of educators who founded the Indiana State Teachers' Association.

While in Indianapolis, Shortridge served as the editor of several education journals and helped establish the public library and a teachers' training school.

This was the year that the state's supreme court reversed a previous decision that prohibited using local taxes to support public schools.

[7] Although this law required racial segregation, Shortridge opened the city's schools to children of any race.

[8] In his eleven years as superintendent, the school system grew from 900 to 10,000 students and employed many female teachers.