State Senator Randy Head said last week, “I plan to provide periodic updates on noteworthy education legislation being discussed by the Indiana General Assembly.”
Below are three bills that were considered by the Senate last week:
- Senate Bill 566 aims to streamline student testing by replacing ISTEP+ and I-READ with one testing product. This bill will also make more teachers eligible for School Performance Grant bonuses and would allow school boards to make up to half of these bonuses part of teachers’ permanent salaries.
- Senate Bill 259 would provide the opportunity for students in Indiana to earn a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) associates degree while in high school. This program would be available to 10 high schools within the state chosen by the Department of Education. If successful, the program could be expanded to other high schools in the future.
- Senate Bill 267 would highlight Hoosier students’ fluency in foreign languages by providing a bi-literacy certificate at graduation to students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. This certification will also be placed on the student’s official transcript.
Head closed by saying, “In the coming weeks, I will keep you updated on the progress of the General Assembly as we continue working to strengthen Indiana’s education system.”
