Panel backs shifting power to Indiana state education board

An Indiana House committee has advanced a Republican-led proposal for shifting authority over education policy away from the elected state superintendent of public instruction.

The House Education Committee voted 9-4 along party lines Thursday morning in favor of a bill giving the State Board of Education authority over areas such as teacher evaluation, testing and student data. Superintendent Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, now oversees those matters as head of the Department of Education.

A Ritz spokesman calls the proposals "an irresponsible power grab" giving more control to a board that Gov. Mike Pence's Republican appointees control. Supporters say the changes are needed to resolve the ongoing disputes between the board and Ritz.

Another bill under consideration would change the state law that now makes Ritz the board's automatic chairman. That law wouldn't take effect until 2021.