Governor Pence Signs Bill to Eliminate ISTEP

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Governor Mike Pence joined teachers and students today at Eagle Elementary School in Zionsville to sign House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1395, which eliminates the ISTEP test, effective July 1, 2017. The bill, which was authored by Rep. Bob Behning also establishes a 23-member panel to study alternatives to ISTEP, and requires that members are appointed by May 1, 2016. The panel includes the Superintendent of Public Instruction and her four appointees, the Commissioner of Workforce Development, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Chairperson of the Senate Education & Career Development Committee, the Chairperson of the House Education Committee, a member of the State Board of Education, five Governor’s appointments, four President Pro Tempore appointments and four Speaker of the House appointments.

In January, Governor Pence signed two education agenda bills focused on supporting teachers and schools. The first, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 200, authored by Sen. Dennis Kruse, Sen. Luke Kenley, and Sen. Ryan Mishler, holds schools harmless for their A-F accountability grade for the 2014-2015 year to accommodate the transition to more rigorous academic standards. The second, HEA 1003, authored by Rep. Robert Behning, ensures that teacher bonuses and evaluations are not negatively impacted by the transition to a new test this year.

 

Governor Mike Pence also signed HEA 1312, authored by Representative Douglas Gutwein. HEA 1312 allows veteran-owned businesses to register directly with the State of Indiana instead of the federal government. This registration allows veteran-owned businesses to receive greater consideration during the state’s contracting and procurement process. The bill passed the House and Senate with unanimous and bipartisan support. The Governor also signed several more bills into law regarding veteran and military matters. The Bill Watch page will be updated accordingly: visit in.gov/gov/2016billwatch.htm