Governor Pence Stresses Need for Collaboration with Indiana Department of Education to Shorten 2015 ISTEP Test

Names Second Consultant to Make Recommendations

Indianapolis – In a press conference today, Governor Mike Pence stressed the need for collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education to shorten the 2015 ISTEP test. The Indiana Department of Education is solely responsible for administering and shortening the ISTEP test

“Because of the cooperation we’re announcing today, I am confident that in short order, we will have substantive recommendations that will inform the State Board of Education and give the Indiana Department of Education options to significantly reduce the length of this test,” said the Governor. “I believe with the cooperation that we now have in place, we can significantly shorten this test and lessen the burden it was poised to place on Hoosier kids, on families, and on our teachers.”

Earlier today, the Governor spoke with Superintendent Ritz who informed him that the Indiana Department of Education would release all requested information by the end of today to the consultants brought on by the Governor to evaluate and recommend ways to shorten the test while still preserving the integrity of the test and the state’s A-F school grades. The Department of Education also agreed to allow the consultants to work directly with CTB McGraw Hill, the vendor for the test, to efficiently address its length. The consultants are expected to provide preliminary recommendations as early as this Friday to be discussed at the State Board of Education meeting that day.

The Governor also announced today a second consultant, Bill Auty, would join Edward Roeber in providing recommendations on ways to shorten the test. The maximum cost of Auty’s contract, like Roeber’s, is $22,000. Auty has more than two decades of experience as an administrator of assessment at the district and state level in Oregon. Plus, he brings added experience serving as the former Assistant Superintendent of the Oregon Department of Education. Currently, Auty works to consult with states and other clients, such as the U.S. Department of Education, Pearson Consulting, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress Governing Board, in providing assessment and accountability systems.