Education reform a priority for Indiana legislators

January 06, 2011|By Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

Among the list of issues up for debate at the Statehouse this year include the future of public education in Indiana.

"I think everyone has the same goal in mind to have great public school systems. The best way to do that, though, is always what's up for debate," said Democratic Representative Ryan Dvorak of South Bend.

Governor Mitch Daniels has identified education reform as a top priority for the 2011 legislative session.

"What we're out to do here is to give to every family whether they're rich or poor - a full range of options," said Daniels.

As part of that plan, Daniels said if public school choice doesn't work for a student and neither does the charter school option, parents should, in some cases, be able to send their children to private school and take state money with them.

"The point is the money is not for the system. The money is for the child," said Daniels. "We think that it's not the place of government to say 'sorry, you'll go there, there, and only there and if you're not rich enough to exercise another choice, too bad for you.'"

But Heidi Miller, who represents the Indiana State Teacher's Association, said taxpayer money for education should remain in the public schools.

"Public dollars from you or for me should not go there because you may not approve of what's occurring at that school and you would have no voice in a private setting," Miller said.

Miller said critics are concerned about a lack of oversight and the cost to public schools if that money left.

Bill Stanczykiewicz, director of the non-partisan Indiana Youth Institute, said education reform in general is part of a growing trend across the country and whatever the outcome, its effects in the classroom will be felt for years.

"What people really need to do is to stay informed and then stay engaged with your legislators," he said. "Because these reforms have the potential to impact the next several generations of school students."

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