4A www.jconline.com Jour nal Courier So what will state leaders do with their new freedoms? Support is growing for Indiana to nix ISTEP and replace the assessment. One i dea being tossed around is the state potentially adopting an off-the-shelf, na- ional test. But while lawmakers are expected to quickly act to remove effects on teacher pay for one year unclear hether Indiana will follow New lead and weigh decoupling tests from eacher evaluations for a longer period of time. Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said time for Indiana to look at its teacher evaluation ystem, because it has made the profess ion less attractive. A commission Ritz convened is recommending Indiana tweak the data used on evaluations to reduce the high stakes of test scores on the rankings of teachers.
ut Ritz said not going for an of the system. She said edu- ators support annual evaluations that hold them accountable for the academic growth of their students. Because educators believe in that; we believe we have a role in Ritz said. et, state Rep. Bob Behning, a Republican from Indianapolis, said the extent ISTEP data factors into teacher evalua- ions varies widely across the state and is determined locally.
Behning also note even with the affect of ISTEP scores, an overwhelming number of educators all into the top two ratings highly effective and effective. seem to have a negative impact as far as ehning said. mean we should not look at alternative measures. The urrent metrics allow for that to take Jim Snapp, superintendent of Brownsburg Community School Corpor ation, acknowledged ISTEP is a and that the current system of rat- i ng teachers on outcomes of the test is both and Any new test must be designed with Indiana in mind, he said. A national test, unless specifically a ligned to Indiana standards, when kids know stuff not taught, we be surprised by Snapp said.
if you go to a national test, then there needs to be a national curriculum a ligned to that test, and we saw what the ommon Core got in ommon Core is a national set of academic standards that Indiana supported under former Gov. Mitch Daniels but late distanced itself from due to conservative objections to national interference in state affairs. ow with the change in federal law, Indiana can have the conversation on re- vising its testing program, House Speake Brian Bosma said while at a recent conference previewing the 2016 legisla- ive session. Bosma, the top Republican in the ouse, said it is time for a of student assessments. His remarks give the clearest indication to date that the state may decide to end ISTEP once a nd for all.
But the legislature reach a final decision in 2016, instead the to make such a decision could be put in place, he said. endorsem*nt serves to revive a proposal that failed to garner sup- ort in the House during the 2015 legislative session: moving to a different stand ardized test. Its defeat came despite the support of powerful Senate budget leader, state Sen. Luke Kenley, a Republican from Noblesville. proposed a good solution last ear, and I was disappointed the House able to go along with Kenley said.
During the 2015 session, talk centered on the state potentially adopting the NWEA. The national test already is in se in school districts across the state. designed for students to take more requently, so teachers can gauge how their students progress throughout the ear. But a national testing expert said going toward the NWEA would be a irresponsible Teach- rs say they like the NWEA because it offers them useful information, said Scott arion, executive director for the Center for Assessment. But when you press teachers, he said, most know how using the data.
The reason why most people like NWEA in the district world, all kids are rowing at a steep Marion said. you are a teacher or a principal, that make you feel good about your Other national tests Indiana could opt or are PARCC and Smarter Balanced, ansen said, though those tests would surely ignite a political firestorm because of their link to the Common Core. Still, Hansen said viable options. ISTEP Continued from Page 3A paraphernalia, according to online ourt records. Hickman also pleaded guilty in December 2014 to possession a synthetic drug, according to online court records.
shooting occurred about 5:40 p.m. at a residence in the 1900 block of Schuyler Avenue. On Monday, detectives were still gathering witness state- ents and have yet to release details about the incident. he shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information should all LPD at 765-807-1200 or the We-Tip Hotline at 800-782-7463.
SHOOTING Continued from Page 3A As part of her sentence, Solomon, who initially told police she was Gavan's caregiver, is banned from being a caregiver. Solomon's case received statewide attention because police checking on Gavan found his decomposing body lying on the floor of his living room on May 3, 2014. Gavan's remains were lying under bed covers, and an autopsy determined he died in early July 2013. But Solomon, who married Gavan in 2012, told investigators he died only five days before police discovered his remains in his Highland Park home. Solomon claimed that Gavan's wishes were to have his remains reclaimed by birds, and she was attempting to fulfill that wish by leaving his body on the living room floor with the doors open.
Prosecutors initially charged Solomon with three counts of welfare fraud and three counts of theft for collecting Gaven's Social Security and veteran benefits, but Solomon paid back the estimated $20,000 in her husband's benefits that she'd received after his death, according to court documents, and those charges were dismissed when she pleaded guilty last month. SENTENCE Continued from Page 3A INDIANAPOLIS Indiana has been awarded a $2.7 million federal grant to help communities and businesses prepare for a downturn in Department of Defense spending. Officials with the Indiana Office of Defense and Development say the state is looking for ways to lessen the blow of he expected downturn. The grant will help pay for a study that will analyze which manufacturers, cities and towns will be most affected by the cuts. The results of the survey will be used to help find other compatible business and manufacturing opportunities for those who are impacted.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann announced the grant award last week. State gets federal defense grant Associated Press FRANCISCO Two groups of college students are helping a southwestern Ind iana county draft plans for a new park ear the Interstate 69 exten- ion. The Princeton Daily Clarion reports University of Evansville and Purdue University students are devising designs and funding plans for the Gibson ounty park.
The Evansville students completed five different plans that include adding alake, walking trails and other features for the initial 41-acre phase. he park also will encompass land hat Gwen and Richard Hopkins are don ating near the town of Francisco. Their family farmed the land for more than 150 years. Purdue students are drafting amaster funding plan and design aspects for 160 acres the Hopkins family ill donate later. College students help county with planning Associated Press.
