Supporting Indiana teachers, students and schools was a top priority for lawmakers during this year’s legislative session. Senator Randy Head highlighted some of the key education-focused bills that were passed by the General Assembly and have now been signed into law.
In response to the problem-plagued 2015 ISTEP test, Senate Enrolled Act 200 provides that a school or school corporation’s A-F performance rating for the 2014-2015 school year cannot be lower than the assigned performance grade for the 2013-2014 school year. House Enrolled Act 1003 prevents 2015 ISTEP scores from being used as part of annual teacher performance evaluations unless using the scores would improve the teacher’s performance rating.
House Enrolled Act 1002 establishes a $7,500-per-year college scholarship for top Hoosier high school graduates who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years.
House Enrolled Act 1395eliminates ISTEP in 2017 and calls for a panel of educators and experts to establish the framework for a shorter, simpler statewide test.
