March 2003 - Jefferson High School

LEGISLATIVE WATCH
Timing of ISTEP+
no longer an issue
Debate over changing administration
of the ISTEP+ from the fall to the spring
escalated in fall 2002. Some Hoosiers
argued that changing the date from fall to
spring would more accurately reflect
students’ knowledge of the testing material
while others, including Superintendent of
Public Instruction Suellen Reed, fought
against changing the test dates.
Students currently take the ISTEP+ in
September so that educators can see what
information they retained over the summer.
The spring semester is reserved for helping
students catch up on necessary knowledge
based on test scores.
In January, Department of Education
representatives said “there was no persuasive
argument” to change the date from fall
to spring and the issue is no longer on the
table for discussion.
“Keeping the test in the fall ensures
our continued compliance with federal
regulations and our entitlement to almost
$450 million in federal dollars for Indiana’s
K-12 education system,” Reed said.
No cash, scholarships for students
A new bill, Senate Bill 78, approved
by the state Senate in January, would require
schools to use cash and scholarships
from academic honors diplomas to further
their academic honors diploma programs
instead of giving it to the students. Sen.
Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, sponsored the
bill, which got a 47-3 vote and is now up
for consideration by the House.
“We want to keep the money in the
schools so students who want those honors
programs can continue to keep them,”
Meeks said.
The academic honors diploma is
awarded to students who get high grades in
a wide variety of upper-level classes, including
fine arts, math, science and foreign
languages.
The state gives school corporations
$963 for each student who earns the
diploma. Senate Bill 78 would require
schools to spend that money on teacher
training, program development, equipment
and supplies.
Poll shows concern for Hoosier
economy, , budget crisis &
education
Conducted in January, results of a
recent statewide poll of likely voters show
the issues of greatest concern to Hoosiers
are the loss of jobs throughout the state,
the future of the state’s economy, and the
state budget deficit’s impact on Indiana’s
public schools. Those three issues account
for almost two-thirds of responses in the
poll performed by Janet Grenzke, partner
and founder of Abacus Associates, a nationally
recognized public opinion analyst and
statistician.
Regarding education, voters expressed
great concern about state and federal academic
standards and school accountability
mandates, including ISTEP+ testing dates.
For more information, please visit
www.in.gov/legislative/ or www.ista-in.org/home.cfm
Be informed about factors that impact Jefferson High School.
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