Indiana legislators refocus on education

Somewhere along the way, lawmakers dealt with a national debate over discrimination and religious freedom, and pushed through a controversial public works change.

But they are refocusing the remaining days on Indiana’s schools.

“The primary highlight will be the appropriation of the largest increase in traditional public school funding in our state’s history, by far,” said Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma. “It is far and beyond what we’ve ever done in the past.

But more than money is on the line.

Bills are still moving that would allow the state to take over failing schools more quickly. The state’s accountability testing program is at stake. And the GOP is stepping in to referee a dysfunctional Indiana State Board of Education.

“I was hoping they meant that they were going to have some real child-centered legislation to get to the heart of issues our kids are dealing with,” said Teresa Meredith, president of the Indiana State Teachers Association. “But everything aside from the budget is about adult issues – not kids.”

Here is a look at the differences that remain on major educational issues. The legislative session must end by April 29.

The budget

The General Assembly is on track to provide more than $460 million in new K-12 dollars. And the House and Senate promise to protect education in the final days when lawmakers are looking to trim at least $200 million from the proposed two-year budget.