Tomorrow, Indiana voters will head to the polls and choose the state’s next schools chief.
The will have two options: Democrat Glenda Ritz, the current state superintendent, has built her re-election campaign on grassroots support and a promise to protect schools from Republican policies she says have harmed schools..
Her opponent is Republican Jennifer McCormick, a superintendent from Yorktown who has struggled to distinguish herself from Ritz and former Republican superintendent Tony Bennett.
The result of this election could have a significant impact on Indiana schools, particularly as Indiana works to replace the ISTEP test and overhaul its A-F school grading system in the wake of a new federal education law.
Read on for more information on where the candidates stand on major education issues. You can find all of our election coverage here.
Also, tune in to our live blog on Election Day for highlights from the field and updates on the race as the results trickle in.
THE BASICS
On McCormick:
- The basics of Jennifer McCormick: Political newcomer struggles to set herself apart
- Being a special education teacher showed this candidate the value of relationships
- McCormick’s plan for Indiana schools diverges from some Republican priorities
- Political newcomer Jennifer McCormick touts management experience in race for state superintendent
On Ritz:
- The basics of Glenda Ritz: A lone voice at the top against Republican education agenda
- She treasured books as a child, and now Glenda Ritz sees literacy as Indiana’s most important education goal
- Glenda Ritz never stopped being a teacher when she became state superintendent — for better or worse
On campaign funding:
- Cash floods superintendents race: Incumbent Ritz far ahead of challenger in fundraising
- McCormick draws big cash from education reform heavy-hitters, but Ritz still leads fundraising race
THE ISSUES