Gov. Daniels signs two major education reform bills

Gov. Mitch Daniels signed two key parts of his sweeping package of education reform bills today, House Enrolled Acts 1002 and 1003.

HEA 1002 expands the number of public officials who are legally allowed to create charter schools outside of standards in the public education system. HEA 1003 creates one of the broadest private school voucher programs in the nation.

Under HEA 1003, both middle and low-income families may choose to send their children to private and religious schools with public money. Most other states that have similar programs only allow low-income students do so and also usually have a restriction that the students’ former school be considered underachieving or failing. HEA 1003 does not include these restrictions.

These two bills are part of a broad package of education reform bills proposed by the governor that were passed during this legislative session. Gov. Daniels already signed one bill limiting the collective bargaining rights of teachers and another bill mandating a much stricter teacher evaluation and licensing system.

-Zach Ammerman