Two pieces of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education plan, a voucher plan that would direct taxpayer money to private schools and a merit pay bill that links teacher pay to student performance, cleared key legislative hurdles Wednesday.
The GOP-led House voted 56-42 on Wednesday in favor of the bill that would use taxpayer money to help some parents move their children from public schools to private schools.
Education advocates told hundreds of cheering supporters at a Statehouse rally Wednesday that Indiana could lead the nation in overhauling schools.
Indiana's Republican leadership is pushing ahead with a proposal that would be the nation's broadest use of school vouchers, allowing even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their kids to private schools.
State-funded vouchers for private schools and a shift of money to charter schools are necessary steps in the effort to improve Indiana's education system, the state schools superintendent said Tuesday.
To win solid support for the bill from his own caucus, House Speaker Brian Bosma said Republicans are considering limiting the number of students who could receive vouchers and may further restrict qualifying income levels.
A contentious proposal to use taxpayer money to help Indiana parents send their children to private schools cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday.
Fewer families would qualify for private school vouchers under changes Republican lawmakers have made to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' controversial proposal.
Indiana lawmakers will start the debate Tuesday on the most controversial plank of Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education platform: a plan to use taxpayer money to help parents send their children to private schools
Indiana teachers are planning a rally at the Statehouse to support public education and denounce proposals backed by Republicans who control the House and Senate.
Advocates met at the Statehouse Monday to push education proposals that have renewed life during this legislative session because of support from Gov. Mitch Daniels and leaders in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.
Leaders of a school choice group and the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association are slated to be at the Statehouse Monday to talk about public support for proposals such as vouchers that would use taxpayer money to help send children to private schools.
State school superintendent Tony Bennett, a Republican, and the leader of Indiana's largest teachers union made a rare joint appearance Tuesday to promote a mentoring program.
Legislature will consider redistricting along with controversial education issues.
Gov. Mitch Daniels and State Superintendent Tony Bennett pitched their ideas Wednesday to Indiana’s Education Roundtable, a group of education and business leaders.
Election night victories for Indiana Republicans have paved the way for a major education overhaul that could affect thousands of students, teachers and parents and fundamentally change the way schools work in Indiana.
