Morning Bell: Despite Money Woes & Member Losses, ISTA ‘Wins Big’ In ’12

Indiana State Teachers Association regaining momentum – “No doubt about it, the Indiana State Teachers Association came out of the statewide November elections with a big winner… It’s a rare bright spot for ISTA.” Indy Star

Expert: State lacks in getting students to jobs – “Indiana has an abundance of vocational education opportunities but a poor record of keeping students in the programs and getting them trained in well-paying jobs that demand more technical know-how.” CNHI Newspapers

Pence budget: Good signs and bad – “There are questions about equity” in the Pence education budget, according to an editorial. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Awards for success vs. penalties for failure – Comparing proposals from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Eric Bradner opines: “McDonnell wants to spend Virginia’s extra education dollars on helping the worst-performing schools. Pence wants to spend Indiana’s money rewarding the best-performing schools.” Evansville Courier & Press

Skills or Sorting — What Do We Do at a University? – Cecil Bohanon: “Higher education adds skills and also sorts students by preexisting ability.” Indiana Policy Review