Pence signs bill eliminating ISTEP exam

"This is the beginning of a new day in testing in the state of Indiana," Pence said. "We're going to make a new test that works better for our kids and better for our teachers."

The law establishes a 23-member task force charged with recommending, by Dec. 1, major ISTEP changes or the adoption of an off-the-shelf exam that potentially will take less time to administer, cost less and improve test transparency.

"(This will) bring teachers together, administrators together, people that really understand the practical needs of Indiana's economy to come up with a new test ... that will really make sense for our kids," Pence said.

Hoosier lawmakers are expected to act on the panel's recommendations during the General Assembly's 2017 session. That means teachers and students will have less than a year to adjust to the new test, assuming the Legislature agrees on one.

The task force already is controversial, because Republicans will select 18 of its 23 members and Pence gets to appoint the chairman, instead of awarding that post to Glenda Ritz, the Democratic state superintendent of public instruction.

John Zody, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, said it's great Pence finally is listening to Ritz, who said for years that Indiana needed to eliminate ISTEP, but she should lead the process of replacing it.

"Mike Pence has time and again put his own political agenda ahead of the needs of public education," Zody said. "Hoosiers want a leader who is willing to listen and put politics aside for the sake of our children."