Thanks to everyone who contacted me about the recent changes to our state’s education system. I appreciate your input on this very important public policy issue.
This year the Indiana General Assembly passed, and Governor Daniels immediately signed, legislation that substantially diverts money from traditional public schools and funnels funds to private schools and charter schools. I opposed both bills.
House Enrolled Act 1002 expands charter schools in our state in an unprecedented manner. Charter schools have been sold as an alternative to traditional public schools, to offer students another venue to succeed. However, it is interesting to note that 8 out of the 10 bottom schools in ISTEP passage rates are charter schools and 21 out of the bottom 40 schools in ISTEP passage rates are charter schools. These numbers are baffling to me. Why would the state choose to provide more money for more charter schools and make it easier for children to move into underperforming institutions? This isn’t to say that traditional public schools don’t have problems- they do indeed. Continue reading ‘Sen. Tallian on education reform from the 2011 session’
