GOP legislative leaders says bill would prevent teacher pay reduction for ISTEP drop

But they were less certain about whether they will also protect schools from a drop in A-F grades that is expected to follow the test scores.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said the legislature will dissociate teacher evaluations and performance pay from the ISTEP+ scores for one year.

Gov. Mike Pence first suggested the change several weeks ago. The General Assembly would have to pass a retroactive bill early in the 2016 session.

New ISTEP+ results show a massive drop in math and English scores after the state adopted new academic standards and a more rigorous test to prepare Hoosier students for college and careers.

Those scores are used in teacher evaluations and help set pay and bonuses. They also largely determine whether a school’s A-F grade goes up or down. Low-performing schools face a multitude of consequences, including possible takeover by the state.