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Bills Move Out of Committee to Expand School Choice, Simplify School Accountability

HB 1005 – School Choice Authored by Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) Bill expands eligibility for Indiana’s existing choice scholarship program (aka school vouchers) and establishes the Indiana education savings account (ESA) program. ESAs would allow eligible families, defined in the bill as students with disabilities, foster youth and children of active military personnel, to receive an annual grant amount [...]

2021-02-05T13:21:51-05:00February 5th, 2021|

Lawmakers Signal Retreat on School Accountability Tied to Student Achievement

Senate Bill 2 and HB 1001 are parallel bills being fast-tracked through the Indiana General Assembly that call for a two-year pause, or “hold harmless,” on school performance designations (“A-F” letter grades). Student progress on annual state assessments is a key factor in determining school letter grades under an education accountability system designed to help parents and policymakers understand [...]

2020-01-13T16:10:47-05:00January 13th, 2020|

Indiana Chamber Announces Top Legislative Priorities for 2020

(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to emphasize the need for state lawmakers to pass legislation to decrease the smoking rate of Hoosiers and get vaping products out of the hands of young people. The business organization also is promoting talent attraction efforts and development of a state energy plan. These priorities were among those unveiled today [...]

2019-11-18T17:20:22-05:00November 18th, 2019|

Education and Workforce Development: Group Recommends Big Change to School Performance Grading System

A School Accountability Panel created by state lawmakers during the 2019 legislative session approved a set of recommendations this week that could lead to significant changes in how Indiana grades the performance of its local high schools moving forward. Co-chaired by two members of the State Board of Education, the 15-member panel was charged with looking beyond the traditional [...]

2019-10-25T12:19:35-04:00October 25th, 2019|

Workforce Development, Career and Technical Education, Accountability Measures Take Next Steps

Senate Bill 420 (Workforce Development), authored by Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond), was amended and passed unanimously by the House Education Committee this week. The amended bill allows for the creation of industry collaboration organizations (ICOs), which would be eligible to receive state grant funds and matching donations from local industry that: 1) strengthen and align career coaching and navigation [...]

2019-04-12T14:11:15-04:00April 12th, 2019|

Much-Needed School Accountability Bill in Spotlight; Teacher Career Ladders and Pre-K Bills Clear Committee

House Bill 1404 – School Accountability Authored by Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) Bills seeks to align high school performance measures with more meaningful post-high school outcomes, including student completion of industry-recognized credentials, enrollment in postsecondary education/training and military enlistment. Chamber Position: Support The Latest: Heard by the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, with a vote on the bill next week. [...]

2019-04-05T12:46:38-04:00April 5th, 2019|

Quick Hits: Hopeful Signals on Smoking Age Increase; School Accountability, Data Center Tax Exemption and Death-on-the-Job Penalty All Clear the House

Senate Bill 425 (Minimum Age to Purchase Tobacco and E-Liquids), authored by Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport), did not receive a hearing in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee before the deadline, but there is still room for optimism. The Chamber priority bill – previously passed via the Senate Health Committee – would have raised the legal age for [...]

2019-02-22T12:58:15-05:00February 22nd, 2019|

Quick Hits: Meeting With U.S. Sen. Mike Braun; Wage Assignment Bill Pulled, While Meaningful School Accountability Moves On

On the federal front – On February 11, the Indiana Chamber’s Greg Ellis and Jeff Brantley met with U.S. Sen. Mike Braun in his Indianapolis office. The Chamber highlighted key issues that its membership has identified. Some of those issues include the continued concern over tariffs/trade, the negative impacts of a medical device tax and general tax issues. Senator [...]

2019-02-15T14:08:27-05:00February 15th, 2019|

State Signals Move to More Meaningful School Accountability

House Bill 1404 – School Accountability; authored by Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) House Bill 1476 – Post Graduation Outcome Funding Metrics; authored by Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) Bills seek to align high school performance measures and incentives with more meaningful post-high school outcomes, including student completion of industry-recognized credentials, enrollment in postsecondary education/training and military enlistment. Chamber Position: Support The [...]

2019-02-08T11:54:11-05:00February 8th, 2019|