Senate Committee Dramatically Changes Transformation Zone Bill

The Indiana Statehouse. (Photo Credit: Indiana Department of Administration)

A bill that would have permitted school districts to create “transformation zones” as a remedy for failing schools was gutted in a Senate committee Wednesday.

The bill would have allowed school districts to assemble a group of school and community members to help turnaround schools that receive an F six years in a row under the state’s A-F accountability system. 

During the Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, members approved amendments proposed by Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, which eliminated much of the transformation zone language and shifted the focus of the bill.

Shaina Cavazos writes for Chalkbeat Indiana what the bill looks like now:

But the bill now contains no mention of transformation zones and makes sure the Indiana State Board of Education would not be allowed to take control of an entire school district.

Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, said the biggest changes were proposed in amendments by Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary. When they were included, it changed the entire focus.

“There’s not much left in this bill after this amendment,” Kruse said.

The bill still includes a prohibition against schools offering potential students or their families gifts with a significant monetary value. It also would grant struggling schools a “safe harbor” provision where they could get an extra year to show academic improvement before the state would intervene.

Currently, turnaround schools are paired with a third party partner to help improve student performance, but after an Evansville school district found success with the transformation zone model, other districts wanted a chance to use that model.

The newly amended bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee and then the full Senate. The House approved the original bill last month.