Indiana House Democrats believe suspending ILEARN results is not enough

INDIANAPOLIS  —  The Democratic members of the House Education Committee have today released the following statement about legislative efforts to “hold harmless” results from the 2019 ILEARN test:

“House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate Pro Tem Roderic Bray’s request for Superintendent McCormick to use old test scores to distribute Teacher Appreciation Grants is just another consequence of Republicans’ failed implementation of the ILEARN testing system.

“While we appreciate that failed legislative policies will not prevent teachers from earning the pay they deserve, it’s time to address the bigger issue. As members of the House Education Committee, we understand the immense pressure that high stakes testing places on Hoosier teachers and students.

“House Democrats believe that a high stakes testing environment with an exam that is constantly changing sets our students and teachers up to fail. It is time to replace band-aids, quick fixes and do-overs with practical testing and fair pay.”

[State Representative Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) is the ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee. Other Democrats on the committee are State Representatives Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis), Sheila J. Klinker (D-Lafayette) and Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute).]