During the first week of 2018, Indiana lawmakers will ring in a new legislative session. Career and technical education, mandatory kindergarten and making up a shortfall in money for schools will likely become central debates.
But like anything in politics, there’s no telling exactly how things will play out — especially during a fast 10-week session where there’s no budget to consider (Indiana lawmakers only approve a budget every two years). Indiana is set to face a number of education issues next year, some that require lawmakers to get involved, such as whether to consolidate diplomas or give high-schoolers college entrance exams as their state test. But most of the goals for the state’s top political leaders focus on preparing students for jobs and giving them more access to computer science courses.
Here are some key players’ legislative wishlists:
- Holcomb’s 2018 education goals skip some of Pence’s most controversial priorities
- McCormick’s requests for the Indiana legislature: diploma fixes and mandatory kindergarten
- Indiana didn’t set aside enough money for schools. Senate leader says a fix is ‘top priority.’
- Indiana teachers union calls on lawmakers to restore $9.3 million in state dollars to public schools
The state also has a number of other education issues it’s grappling with, such as how to carry out the new graduation pathways plan that increases what high schoolers must do to graduate, how to make sure teachers have the necessary education to meet new dual credit teaching requirements, and how to plan for the new state test set to replace ISTEP in 2019.
Learn more about the background on those topics:
- Indiana’s new high school graduation rules were widely opposed by parents and educators. The state board approved them anyway.
- In a surprise move, a state panel pushes using a college entrance exam as Indiana’s high school test
- Mike Pence killed Common Core in Indiana. Now, the state’s choosing a test based on it.
- Indiana has a curious plan to sidestep federal rules — give schools two A-F grades next year.
- Educators to state officials: ‘Indiana needs just one diploma’
- With Holcomb’s support, Indiana’s next education plan heads to Washington
- How changes to dual credit and federal law are affecting schools and putting Indiana education officials in a bind
What education issues are topping your list as Indiana heads into 2018? Email reporter Shaina Cavazos at scavazos@chalkbeat.org to share.