Indiana lawmakers to consider big education proposals

The fate of a couple of Gov. Mitch Daniels' major education proposals likely will be decided Indiana legislators this week.

A House committee is expected to consider Daniels' proposal for teacher merit pay on Monday, and a Senate committee could vote on the Republican governor's controversial plan for private school vouchers on Wednesday.

Daniels' merit pay proposal would require student achievement to account for part of teacher evaluations, and teachers who don't do well on yearly evaluations wouldn't get automatic pay raises. That bill has already cleared the Senate.

A voucher proposal that has already cleared the House would use taxpayer money to help parents send their kids to private school. It's the most controversial of Daniels' aggressive education proposals, but has support from many Republicans who control both the Indiana House and Senate.