State superintendent candidates outline their differences during debate

Dr. Tony Bennett, the Republican incumbent, wants to continue the educational reforms put in place during his first term. Those reforms focus on improving student test scores and increasing teacher accountability. On the other side is Democrat challenger Glenda Ritz who wants to see less emphasis on the high stakes testing and more local control.

The two candidates participated Wednesday in a forum at Wabash College’s Salter Hall that was moderated by Indianapolis Star reporter Matt Tully. The event, which had limited seating was streamed live by Wabash College. The broadcast also will be posted to the college’s YouTube channel in the future.

The event was sponsored by the Indiana League of Women Voters, the Montgomery County League of Women Voters and the college.

Both candidates agree there is no bigger issue facing the state than education, but that’s where the similarities end.

Bennett said under his leadership test scores have improved; gains have been made in the number of students taking advanced placement courses; and graduation rates are at an all-time high. Furthermore, he touts the state as a national leader on the education reform stage. His reforms hold teachers accountable for student performance and underperforming schools must work harder to keep from being taken over.

Bennett gave himself a B grade for the work he has accomplished in his first term.

“We are a solid B, but anyone who knows me knows I won’t rest until we’re an A,” he said. “Reform is never finished and results are never final.”

Tully asked Bennett to address the accusations that he and his reforms are viewed as anti-public school.

“My focus for driving these policy reforms allowed a caricature of me to emerge that is wrong,” he said. “I’m not angry and I’m not against public school teachers.”

Bennett spent 21 years in public education. His wife is a public education teacher and his daughter is a newly minted public education teacher.

“I can’t deny the fact that not everyone is going to agree,” he said.

Bennett believes that discussion needs to continue and that a strong outreach program must be created — something he vows to do if re-elected.

Bennett is not opposed to state-funded preschool or full-day kindergarten programs, however, he believes funding must be in place. He does not believe in lowering the state’s compulsory age of 7 for children entering school unless funds are available.

“School funding reform can’t be done in one session,” he said.

Bennett said the challenge for education is getting more children in front of great teachers.

His definition of a great teacher is one “that inspires students to reach their maximum potential.”

Bennett said great teachers demand, care for and sometimes cajole students to perform.

Those who do should not fear being held accountable for student growth.

He maintains that vouchers and charter schools are part of the state’s overall educational system.

“It’s my vision that all school in our state perform at a high level, if they don’t we should have the courage to intervene for those children,” he said.

Bennett believes public schools can compete with private schools and be successful.

“I believe we are on the right path, our results speak for themselves,” he said.

However, Ritz, who has been an educator for 33 years, is a stark contrast to Bennett.

Her vision for Indiana public school children is focused more on education and less on teaching to tests.

“We must cultivate students who can think,” she said.

Her grassroots campaign touts allowing more local control, creating outreach support for school districts and making sure Indiana’s teacher licensing and standards are top notch.

She disputes Bennett’s claims that his reforms have increased test scores; improved graduation rates; and improved schools.

“We need a bottom up approach,” she said. “We have forgotten we have real people, real children in our classrooms.”

She believes reform and improvements begin at the local level.

Ritz is not an advocate of the high stakes testing. She said teachers do not have a true account of each student’s abilities because the tests used are simply pass/fail.

“It’s time Indiana got serious about the performance levels of students,” she said.

She also does not agree with the five school takeovers that occurred under Bennett’s reforms.

“I’m for public dollars going to public schools,” she said. “I’m not so sure the Department of Education did its job.”

Ritz also criticized Bennett’s IREAD-3 program, which calls for all third graders to pass a state reading test or be retained.

“There’s a reading problem in the state of Indiana,” she said.

Ritz would solve that by working to lower the state’s compulsory age to 5 and create preschool programs that are focused on reading.

“When students can’t read, they can’t succeed,” she said.

That issue is what convinced her to enter the race.

“This election is a really a referendum on where we should be headed with education in the state of Indiana,” she said.

Ritz advocates that she will include educators and the teachers unions at the table; that she will focus on instructional programming; professional development for teachers; and establish fair growth and accountability measures for students and teachers.

“Any improvement in Indiana’s educational system is due to educators,” she said.