STATEHOUSE (Feb. 26, 2012) — A proposal by State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek) to reward Indiana’s highest performing public schools with additional state funding was approved 38-12 by the Senate today. Hershman said he was pleased two other area lawmakers, State Sens. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) and Mike Delph (R-Carmel), supported the legislation. 

Senate Bill 493 would allow Indiana public school corporations to qualify for state tuition support grants if ISTEP+ and high school end-of-course assessment results meet an overall passing rate of at least 85 percent or an overall improvement rate of at least 6 percent from the previous year. The grant amount would be determined by a General Assembly appropriation with a cap of $500 per passing student. 

Hershman said the purpose of SB 493 is to offer a new incentive for school corporations to improve and excel. He noted remediation money for the schools with the lowest assessment scores is already accounted for in Indiana’s budget.

“This new funding would provide a reward that encourages our high-performing and improving schools to stay on the same path,” Hershman said. “Some of Indiana’s best schools are seeing the least amount of state funding. As we continue to examine Indiana’s budget during the second half of session, we’ll further discuss how much financial assistance we can offer these deserving schools.”

In 2012, approximately 15 public schools achieved the qualifying ISTEP+ or Core 40 pass rates, and 18 schools had the needed 6-percent rate increases.

SB 493 has advanced to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz supports the spirit of SB 493, her office reported.

 
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