Rally for Ritz Packs the Statehouse

Educators, parents and even a few kids out of school for the snow day packed the statehouse Monday to show support for state superintendent Glenda Ritz. 

Icy relations have become the norm among the state’s top education policymakers, including Ritz, Governor Mike Pence, the State Board of Education and the Department of Education.

That all came to a head last week when controversy over the length of this year’s ISTEP+ strengthened the tension between all of those parties. In addition, both chambers of the General Assembly are currently looking at legislation that would shift some responsibilities among the group.

That’s why rally participants came out in full force Monday afternoon – they wanted lawmakers to know where they stand.

The Indiana Coalition for Public Education hosted the event, which featured speakers from various teachers unions and education related organizations, and even a few lawmakers…including the lady of the hour herself: Glenda Ritz.

Both ISTEP+ and state board-related bills will need to move through the legislature quickly. Next week is both the deadline for bills to pass through their originating chamber, and the first date students can sit for the statewide test.