Changes to ISTEP Coming After Clamor Over Indiana Scores

A top Indiana legislator on education issues says he’s coming up with proposals to adjust how the state uses standardized test scores to determine teacher pay.

The news comes as school leaders are worried about a double-digit drop in passing rates for students that’s blamed on changes made to last spring’s ISTEP exam.

House Education Committee chairman Robert Behning says he’ll have a bill in the upcoming legislative session for a one-year suspension of ISTEP as part of teacher evaluations. He says he’s also looking to soften the lower scores’ impact on school ratings.

South Bend schools superintendent Carole Schmidt says lower scores can cause a negative perception for schools.