State of Indiana Archives: on Education
Eric Holcomb:
Parents deserve options but not at expense of public schools
Parents not only deserve to have options about where they send their child to be educated--after-all, they pay for it--but at the same time, those options
shouldn't come at the expense of the public school system, which educates 90% of Hoosier children.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature
Jan 19, 2021
Eric Holcomb:
Help Hoosiers obtain post-secondary education for jobs
We'll continue our emphasis on helping all Hoosiers--whether you're 15 or 50--obtain the post-secondary educations that are needed to step into today's job market.
The "Workforce Ready" and "Employer Grant" Programs we put in place are making a huge difference for Hoosiers, moving more of them into higher-paying jobs and increasing the number of people achieving a post-secondary education.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature
Jan 19, 2021
Woody Myers:
We can take a hard look at our voucher program
We can empower our public schools by giving them the resources and funding needed to provide a high-quality education to all students. We can take a hard look at our voucher program; while school choice has a place in our education system, the current
program is not serving us well. It has created more demand for limited resources, reducing the funding available for classroom instruction and teacher salaries. We should make transparency and accountability a priority.
Source: 2020 Indiana governor campaign website DrWoodyMyers.com
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Myers:
We need multiple pathways to obtain good-paying jobs
Indiana currently ranks among the 10 worst states in educational attainment and lacks the appropriate policies to support learners who haven't fared well in college. Our population demands multiple pathways to obtain good-paying jobs whether through
a college degree, a certificate, apprenticeship, or vocational training. We aren't prepared to withstand the pressures of automation and its squeeze on jobs that's predicted for the future, with too many workers in dead end jobs vulnerable to loss.
Source: 2020 Indiana governor campaign website DrWoodyMyers.com
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Myers:
For higher teacher pay & better testing model for students
Myers leaped on the governor for the pitiful way the state treats its teachers.
He called for higher teacher pay and a better testing model for students. He also supported increasing the smoking age to 21 and curbing layoffs that have upended middle-class families.
Source: Evansville Courier & Press on 2020 Indiana governor race
Mar 2, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
$115 million to increase teacher pay, more to come
I created the Teacher Compensation Commission and asked them to come up with a sustainable plan to make our teacher salaries competitive with other Midwestern states. Last year, we devoted an unprecedented increase of $763 million new dollars in
K-12 education, including paying down $150 million in the Teacher Retirement Fund, which freed up $65 million more a year for teacher pay increases.More Indiana school districts have raised teacher salaries this year than in any other year in recent
history. I am recommending that the General Assembly use an additional $250 million from our surplus and put it toward teacher retirement funds. In turn, $50 million a year will be generated to redirect to teacher pay.
Together that's $115 million more available annually to increase teacher pay with more to come after the Compensation Commission releases its recommendations.
Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Woody Myers:
Boost teacher pay, increase access to vocational schools
He criticized the state's recent tax cuts for corporations and financial institutions. He discussed boosting teacher pay and increasing access to vocational schools and community colleges.
"Teachers are leaving our state in record numbers, students are being forced to deal with overcrowded classrooms and less individual attention, and it's wrong that music classes and art classes are becoming optional."
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Dec 31, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Worked for Obama on mentoring boys and young men of color
Senator Melton has been instrumental in establishing mentoring organizations around the country and in 2015 was asked to work with Obama's administration in implementing
My Brother's Keeper, a national initiative designed to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Increasing pay will address state teacher shortage
Eddie Melton introduced a bill that would address the startling lack of compensation teachers receive in the State of Indiana. Melton proposed raising teacher salaries by appropriating additional funds to the school funding formula in the 2019 budget
session, showing our teachers that we value the hard work they do for all of our state's children. Improving teachers' compensation will also address the prevalent teacher shortage our state has increasingly faced over the years.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
Woody Myers:
Higher teacher pay; end unnecessary administrative burdens
Many of those I spoke with have advanced degrees but are not making enough to support their families without second jobs. They are burdened by unnecessary licensing requirements. They are frustrated by standardized tests that do not accurately
measure students and their progress. Far too often our teachers are acting as mental health counselors for their students because there are not enough social workers and others to meet student needs. Education in our state has reached crisis mode.
We ask our teachers to work incredibly hard to give our children a stable foundation for the future. But that's hard to do when their own financial futures are rocky, and their attention is divided by a second job. We MUST do better.
As your next governor, I pledge to work with the General Assembly to ensure more state funds make it into public school teacher pockets- and that unnecessary administrative burdens are removed. I am with Indiana's teachers.
Source: Anderson Herald-Bulletin on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Nov 26, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Criticizes current budget that favors online/charter schools
Melton, 38, who represents Gary in the General Assembly, criticized Holcomb for signing a budget that he said provides more dollars to virtual and charter schools than public classrooms, which he said saw a smaller funding increase.
Melton said Holcomb's administration has also failed to adequately respond to demands for reforming the Department of Child Resources.
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review on 2020 Indiana Governor race
Oct 13, 2019
Woody Myers:
Pay teachers what they deserve; future depends on it
Myers said education is one of the areas he will focus on the most, saying "we'll stop
cutting education and start paying our teachers what they deserve because our teachers are worth it, and the future of the state depends on it."
Source: TheStateHouseFile.com on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jul 10, 2019
Eddie Melton:
No investment is more important than our students
I firmly believe that our budget is a reflection of our values. For example, Indiana is ranked dead last in teachers' salaries and 49th in student spending, yet we have a $2 billion surplus. No investment is more important than our students.
Education is the bedrock of our community and the future of our economy. In order for us to advance the goals and dreams of our children that we all have shared, we must come together as Hoosiers from across the entire state.
Source: Chicago Crusader on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 7, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Reduce private school vouchers; increase teacher pay
Melton has become the point person for Senate Democrats on education issues, pushing a plan during this year's legislative session that aimed at guaranteeing a minimum 5% raise for teachers by reducing
state funding of vouchers for students attending private schools, eliminating proposed increases for charter schools and stretching out state payments toward a teacher pension fund.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 4, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
Supports teaching creation science in public schools
Legislative Summary: SB373: A public secondary school student may receive elective academic credits for released time religious instruction classes.Summary by Washington Times-Herald, 2/20/19: SB373 introduced sweeping
changes to the role religion plays in public schools, opening the door for schools to teach courses on creation science and Bible studies. Under SB373, public high schools would be able to count time spent by a student on optional religious instruction
as academic credit.
Columbia Law School update: On Feb. 21, 2019, the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development approved amendments to SB373. The amendments removed the section allowing the governing body of a school
corporation to require the teaching of creation science and other theories regarding the origin of life.
Legislative Summary: Passed House 67-26-7 on 4/2/19; Passed Senate 40-8-2 on 4/8/19; Signed by Governor on 5/5/19; Public Law #226
Source: Columbia Law School analysis of Indiana voting record SB1318
May 5, 2019
Victoria Spartz:
Supports teaching creation science in public schools
Legislative Summary: SB373: A public secondary school student may receive elective academic credits for released time religious instruction classes.Summary by Washington Times-Herald, 2/20/19: SB373 introduced sweeping
changes to the role religion plays in public schools, opening the door for schools to teach courses on creation science and Bible studies. Under SB373, public high schools would be able to count time spent by a student on optional religious instruction
as academic credit.
Columbia Law School update: On Feb. 21, 2019, the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development’approved’amendments to SB373. The amendments removed the section allowing the governing body of a school
corporation to require the teaching of creation science and other theories regarding the origin of life.
Legislative Summary: Passed House 67-26-7 on 4/2/19; Passed Senate 40-8-2 on 4/8; Sen. Spartz voted YES; Signed by Governor on 5/5.
Source: Columbia Law School analysis of Indiana voting record SB1318
Apr 8, 2019
Eddie Melton:
Opposes teaching creation science in public schools
A bill by Sen. Dennis Kruse introduced sweeping changes to the role religion plays in public schools, opening the door for schools to teach courses on creation science and Bible studies. It passed out of the education committee in an 8-2 vote, with
Sen. Mark Stoops and Eddie Melton voting against.Should SB 373 become law, public high schools will be able to count time spent by a student on optional religious instruction as academic credit.
Source: Washington Times-Herald on Indiana voting record: SB373
Feb 20, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
Early start on career paths in opportunity industries
Our efforts and investments are designed to meet the goal of ensuring 60 percent of Hoosier adults have a high-value credential beyond high school. We must get our kids to start thinking about their career paths earlier in their lives.
We will introduce every student to career and apprenticeship options in Indiana's key opportunity industries. We'll support students who seek a four-year degree and those who don't, so that everyone has a pathway to a fulfilling career.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Indiana legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
$140M to increase teacher pay
We're in a financial position to use surplus dollars to pay off a pension liability that local schools currently pay. Just like paying off your mortgage frees up money in your personal budget, this state investment will save all local schools
$140 million over the biennium with continued savings thereafter. I believe local school districts should allocate 100 percent of the $140 million to increasing teacher paychecks.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Indiana legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Andrew Straw:
Students can pray in school, but not imposed by teachers
Q: How do you balance God in the public sphere?A: Only in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the First Amendment. All faiths are welcome in the USA.
Q: Is requiring teacher-led prayer in public schools consistent with the Constitution?
Or student-led prayers?
A: As long as there are tests in school, there will be prayers. Students have the right to pray. Teachers and administrators should not impose any religious requirement on students unless it is a private school.
Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Indiana Senate candidate
Mar 2, 2018
Andrew Straw:
Supports vouchers and more school choices
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?
A: Support. Especially given the school shooting disaster in Florida, parents should have more school choices.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Todd Rokita:
Against Common Core; for school choice
I believe Washington bureaucrats have no business in our children's classrooms and I have worked diligently and successfully to give the power of educating our children back to those who know best, our parents, teachers and local school districts.
I oppose Common Core and any similar concept of a national school board setting curriculum. I support school choice to ensure a child's educational opportunities are not determined by the zip code a child grows up in.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website ToddRokita.com
Oct 1, 2017
Eddie Melton:
Every child deserves a quality public education
Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:- Every Child Deserves the Right to a Quality Education
- He will continue to work with local leaders on what's best for our children today, so they will be prepared for tomorrow.
-
Every Educator Deserves to be Valued and Supported
- Ultimately, Eddie deeply believes in the power of listening and elevating the voices of educators in the creation and execution of policies that impact their work every day.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2016
Todd Young:
Market alternatives to federal stranglehold on college loans
Student Loans, Scholarships and Pell Grants: The federal government's stranglehold on higher education student financing has led to dramatically rising costs and a growing bubble of student debt. Recently, I introduced the
Investing in Student Success Act of 2015, which will implement market principles and create an alternative, debt-free student financing option for higher education.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2016 Indiana Senate incumbents
Aug 10, 2016
Mike Pence:
Pro-voucher so parents decide how to educate their kids
Each year since his election, Pence has spoken at an annual school choice rally, affirming his support for publicly funded vouchers to pay private school tuition for low- & middle-income families and for charter schools. "Children in this state ought to
be afforded opportunities for quality education. Those decisions should be made in the best interests of our kids, and those decisions should be made by parents." Pence has pushed to expand charter schools & vouchers, with some legislative wins in 2015.
Source: ChalkBeat.org on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jul 15, 2016
Mike Pence:
Incentivize teaching as a career
This year let's find ways to make teaching more attractive and do our part to encourage more Hoosiers to pursue careers in education. That is why I am so enthusiastic about Speaker Bosma's Next Generation
Scholarship that would cover up to $7,500 per year in tuition for students who are in the top 20 percent of their class and commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Indiana legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Mike Pence:
Testing regime needs to be improved
Accountability is important, but testing must be reliable and the results fairly applied. Let's take a step back from ISTEP and improve on the test we use to measure our kids and schools every year. Let's also take action to ensure
that our teachers and schools are treated fairly with the results of the latest ISTEP test. I promise you we will make sure the 2015 test scores fairly reflect the performance of our schools and will not affect teacher bonuses or compensation.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Indiana legislature
Jan 12, 2016
John Gregg:
Totally against Indiana's school voucher program
Gregg is concerned about Indiana's school voucher program, something he says he's "totally against." He sees the program as taking money out of public schools, an issue that desperately needs addressed.Charter schools, on the other hand, are here to
stay. The problem Gregg sees is when charter school legislation was passed, there was accountability in the fact teachers at those schools had to be licensed.
That's no longer the case.
"I think what we need to do is rather than continue down this road, we need to kind of take a breath, sit back and look, and really take a hard look and see what's working, and what's not," Gregg said. "And
I think there's a lot of pride of ownership in a lot of this education reform. People were so heaven-bent on making this happen that they don't want to admit maybe it needs tweaked or it has problems with it."
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
Eric Holcomb:
Give parents the freedom to choose child's school
Here at home, we have seen in practice, not in theory, what happens when we honestly balance budgets, cut taxes, create a savings account for rainy days, build roads and bridges, and give parents the freedom
to choose in which school their child can best learn. We have proven just how productive we can be when we are for something rather than against everything but the perfect.
Source: Holcomb's Kokomo Tribune OpEd on 2016 Indiana Senate race
Jul 9, 2015
Brian Bosma:
Supports vouchers and charter schools
Q: Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?A: Yes.
Q: Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
A: No.
Q: Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for charter schools?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
A: Yes.
Bosma adds, "Circumstances will vary the above generalized answers. We must continue to do all we can to lift teacher training and effectiveness and treat teachers as the professionals they are."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Joe Donnelly:
Pell Grants for low-income students, & lower interest rates
Mourdock favors abolishing the U.S. Department of Education and transferring its responsibilities to the state and local levels. "Instead of sending
Hoosier money to Washington, I think we ought to be keeping that money and as always, letting schools be run at the local level and at the state level," he said.
Donnelly touted his support for funding Pell Grants for low-income students, as well as a measure that kept student loan interest rates at 3.4 percent rather than 6.8 percent.
Donnelly opposed eliminating the Education Department. "Our ability to compete as a state, our ability to compete as a country, depends on our education level," he said.
Source: Evansville Courier & Press on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 15, 2012
Richard Mourdock:
Transfer federal education role to state & local level
Mourdock favors abolishing the U.S. Department of Education and transferring its responsibilities to the state and local levels. "Instead of sending
Hoosier money to Washington, I think we ought to be keeping that money and as always, letting schools be run at the local level and at the state level," he said.
Donnelly touted his support for funding Pell Grants for low-income students, as well as a measure that kept student loan interest rates at 3.4 percent rather than 6.8 percent.
Donnelly opposed eliminating the Education Department. "Our ability to compete as a state, our ability to compete as a country, depends on our education level," he said.
Source: Evansville Courier & Press on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 15, 2012
John Gregg:
Teachers must be a part of the education reform conversation
I want, when we're talking education reform, to give teachers a voice. I want us to also listen to the principal, listen to the superintendent, a parent, school board member. Changes are going to be implemented by the classroom teachers and the
principals. So to cut to the quick, I just don't see how you reform public education by scapegoating the teachers and public education.
Source: Indiana Public Media on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 28, 2012
John Gregg:
I am not a fan of vouchers
The day I'm elected is when the war on public education and public educators, our schoolteachers, quits.
I'm not a fan of vouchers, not one bit at all. Those are public tax dollars.
Source: Indiana Public Media on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 28, 2012
Mitch Daniels:
End cruel, defeatist practice of passing kids who can't read
The days when education debates started and stopped at dollar signs are over, and high time. From President Obama down, everyone now recognizes that leaders in education are defined not by what they put in but by what they get out.
But just for the record, and despite frequent misrepresentations to the contrary, Indiana is a leader in what we put in. But that's not why others are following Indiana. It's our new commitment to rewarding the best teachers, liberating principals
and superintendents, and providing low- and middle-income parents the same choices as their wealthier neighbors; that's what has caught the world's attention. And this year, when we end the cruel, defeatist practice of passing children who cannot read
into fourth grade, and when our most diligent students begin to graduate from high school in 11 years, and get a head start on college costs with the dollars they earned through their hard work, others will take notice of Indiana yet again.
Source: Indiana 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 10, 2012
Mitch Daniels:
Lift backward-looking limits on charter schools
First, this Assembly heeded the call of President Obama and others and lifted Indiana's backward-looking limits on charter schools and on considering student achievement in evaluating teachers. Then our Professional Standards
Board, led by our superb new Superintendent Tony Bennett, acted to strengthen standards for new teachers, and to open both classroom and leadership positions to those whose hearts call them to teaching from other walks of life.
Source: Indiana 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2010
Mike Pence:
Eliminate "No Child Left Behind" K-12 testing requirements
Mike Pence indicated support for the following principles regarding education:- Eliminate all federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
-
Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
- Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
-
Allow teachers and professionals to receive federal funding to establish charter or magnet schools.
- Increase funding for the Pell Grant program.
-
Decrease interest rates of Stafford Loans.
- Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
- Require universities to disclose financial relationships with lenders.
Source: Congressional Indiana 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Mitch Daniels:
Support vouchers for public schools
Indicate which principles you support regarding education. - Support high school exit exams.
- Daniels adds, "Indiana's new assessment system requires students to pass certain key high school courses to graduate, rather than an exit exam."
-
Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
- Daniels adds, "In my first term I did not support vouchers for private or religious education"
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Mitch Daniels:
Use lottery revenue for free college tuition for two years
Indicate which principles you support regarding education. - Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
- Daniels adds, "I have proposed a new program to use revenue from
the state lottery to guarantee all IN high school graduates two years of free tuition at our community college or the equivalent amount in cash to use at another IN college or university."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Mitch Daniels:
Voluntary prayer in public schools
Q: Do you support a moment of silence in public schools? A: Yes.
Q: Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support sexual education programs that include information on
abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
A: Yes.
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021