Lawmakers passed a flurry of bills this year that would have far-reaching implications for education in Indiana. These include efforts to address low reading proficiency, promote work-based learning, and prepare for new graduation standards.
Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) praised the efforts of lawmakers to pass legislation related to high school redesign and work-based learning in Indiana.
“This is trying to connect the dots between K-12 and the workplace, trying to make the transition a little easier so that high school is more relevant,” he said.
Sen. Andrea Hanley (D-Indianapolis) said she thinks lawmakers are moving too quickly when it comes to giving students real-world experience.
Lawmakers last year passed a new work-based learning program that provides funding through the Career Scholarship Account Fund to businesses that hire local students. They voted to expand the program again this year.
“I’m a huge supporter of the apprenticeship model and work-based learning,” she said. “What we did last year with (House Bill) 1002 and this year with (House Bill) 1001, albeit in small increments, we need to slow down.”
Mr Hanley said apprenticeship opportunities and improving literacy were key focuses in this year's parliament, but MPs could have done more.
“We believe we were underachieving in both of these areas, especially in literacy, and by forcing them to stay in third grade, we are doing that in a punitive way to children and families.” I think I am,” she said.
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A proposal to block most third-graders who fail state reading proficiency tests was one of the most controversial education bills. But Sen. Jeff Raats (R-Richmond) hailed the bill's passage as a victory for students.
“We accomplished what we set out to do in terms of third-grade reading and making sure our students had every chance to pass IREAD-3 personally,” he said. said.
The bill's author, Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger), dubbed her proposal “Every Child Learn to Read.” She said she hopes this year's bill will play an important role in getting students back on track with reading.
“We have some great education bills this year that we hope will make a real difference,” she said.
But Sen. Fadi Kadoura (D-Indianapolis) said some of this year's lawmakers missed the mark. He said he wants a different solution to the state's reading crisis.
“There were a lot of missed opportunities,” he said. “I initiated legislation to address our state's literacy issues by proposing universal preschool across the state.”
Kadura said his proposal did not move forward because of the cost. Because this year was a non-budget session, lawmakers couldn't put additional money into the bill unless money was already available.
Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis) said he thinks lawmakers rushed too quickly to a solution before considering all the obstacles that could prevent children from learning to read.
“There are so many unanswered questions in my mind,” he says. “For example, I kept asking questions on the committee, and I kept asking other people, 'Why aren't my kids reading at a third-grade level?' Just to hold kids back.” Instead of using a sledgehammer, find the answer and develop a solution around that. ”
Ford said that while there were many good and bad education bills introduced this year, he was pleased that fewer proposals were based on culture war issues.
“To me, this is a big win for Hoosiers because we're focusing on the issues that I think are most important to people, not cultural or social war issues,” he said.
Lawmakers are already looking ahead to next year.
“Universalization of pre-school and early childhood education remains a very high priority for me,” Kadura said.
Hanley said lawmakers in next year's budget session could improve funding for reading initiatives and strengthen educational programs to support students and teachers.
Ford said one of the main concerns going forward is low college attendance. He plans to learn more about why high school graduates don't go on to college and whether there are better options for those students.
He said he hopes to convene a committee on education this summer so lawmakers can come into next year's budget session focused and prepared.
Raatz said major changes in education policy are often controversial. But he wants the state to move forward, he said.
“There is always more work to be done in education, there is no doubt about that,” he said. “The opportunities are great and the benefits are great. … Conceptually, we shouldn't change just for the sake of changing. But we want to give our students the best possible outcomes. And That requires change.”
Kirsten is an education reporter. To contact her, kadair@wfyi.org Or follow her on Twitter @kirsten_adair.
