Education bill dies in Senate

A bill that proposed to overhaul the grading system in Indiana’s public schools died Monday in the Senate.

Senate Bill 416, authored by Sen. Carl Yoder, R-Middlebury, has been withdrawn from the Indiana Senate.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said she was disappointed by its withdrawal.

“The bill would have improved and clarified accountability standards for all schools throughout Indiana.

Community leaders, economic development experts, school administrators, teachers and parents have all expressed concerns with Indiana’s current A-F system,” Daniel Altman, press secretary for the Indiana Department of Education, said in a press release.

The withdrawal of SB 416 comes after House Bill 1342 was assigned to the Rules Committee Feb. 21, meaning it will not move to the Senate for voting.

HB 1342 would have removed oversight of Indiana’s school voucher program. The voucher program helps Hoosier families send their children to schools that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

A voucher, or “choice scholarship,” is a state payment that families put towards education at participating schools.

Ritz expressed her happiness with its relegation to the Rules Committee, often a step toward a bill’s death.

“I was glad to see that this shortsighted legislation was referred to the Rules Committee last night,” said Altman said in a press release. “I was also happy to have the support of those members of the Education Committee that opposed this bill from the start.”

— Bridget Ameche