Public Comment On School Accountability Rules Kicks Off This Week

Jennifer McCormick, Indiana superintendent of public instruction (Peter Balonon-Rosen/IPB News)

The State Board of Education will hear feedback on a recently approved school accountability proposal, during public hearings throughout Indiana, starting this week. Members approved a new school grading system plan proposal at their meeting in January. It met some pushback because it differs from the state’s federally approved education plan, and makes changes to the weight of student growth in school grades.

At their meeting Wednesday, some members requested more time between public input and a final vote on the new system. But that would mean missing a key deadline to put those accountability rules into effect for next school year.

READ MORE: 2017 Indiana School Grades: More As, Fewer Bs

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick agrees the timeline is short.

“But I think it’s important just so everybody knows and it’s clear and it’s laid out what are the expectations, because you do have consequences on the line,” McCormick says.

Hearings this week will take place in Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville, and a hearing in Madison is scheduled for the following week. A final hearing in Indianapolis is scheduled for the second week of March, and the board is expected to vote on the final accountability system the first week of April.

More information on the accountability proposal and public hearings are available on the state board’s website.