Governor Pence Signs Education Agenda Bills Focused on Supporting Teachers and Schools

Press Release

Governor Mike Pence today signed two agenda bills in the rotunda of the Indiana Statehouse focused on supporting teachers and schools. The first, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 200, authored by Sen. Dennis Kruse (R -- Auburn), Sen. Luke Kenley (R -- Noblesville), and Sen. Ryan Mishler (R -- Bremen), 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, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1003, authored by Rep. Robert Behning (R -- Indianapolis), ensures that teacher bonuses and evaluations are not negatively impacted by the transition to a new test this year.

"Today, we are saying thank you to Indiana's dedicated teachers by ensuring that the results of our new test with higher standards will not negatively impact them, their families, or our schools," said Governor Pence. "These new laws ensure that teacher compensation and bonuses will not be affected by the results of our recent ISTEP test and will ensure that our schools' performance is fairly reflected when A-F grades are assigned later this year. I am grateful for the swift and bipartisan efforts by members of the General Assembly and the Superintendent that put our kids, schools, and teachers first."

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