Indiana Coalition for Public Education Legislative Report Card 2020
Does Your Legislator Support Public Education?
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Our state organization, the Indiana Coalition for Public Education, issues a legislative report card in election years. Their report card can be found here. This ICPE Report Card rates incumbents who filed for reelection in 2020, grading them based on their votes on nine bills that either damaged public schools by:
or helped public schools by promoting support for public education. In all, ICPE issued grades to 115 legislators. The majority were Ds, yet again. |
“Although legislators might claim it’s unfair to assign letter grades based on a small portion of what they do,” said Vic Smith of ICPE, “that is exactly what Indiana does to schools across the state when it bases schools’ letter grades largely on one standardized test. Many politicians claim to support public education, but the proof is in their votes.”
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When you weaken public schools by diverting funding away from them, you undermine a key institution in our society—one that stands as the bedrock of democracy and the cornerstone of local communities.
Going Forward During a Pandemic
In a pandemic, we need more resources and funding to improve infrastructure (like building ventilation), keep employees and children safe, and provide multiple modes of instruction—in person and online. The wrap-around support that public schools provide is more important than ever. Public funding should stay in truly public schools, which have an obligation to serve all children and answer to their communities through elected boards. We must elect legislators who will limit charters and vouchers, press pause on standardized testing, and say no to the punitive grading of schools. We must demand transparency, a commitment to equity across income and race, and policies that show respect for educators as professionals.
How Did Legislators in Monroe County Perform?
Rep. Bob Heaton (R), House District 46...........................................D
Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R), House District 60..................................... D
Rep. Matt Pierce (D), House District 61........................................... A
Rep. Jeff Ellington (R), House District 62......................................... D
Rep. Chris May (R), House District 65..............................................D
Sen. Mark Stoops* (D), Senate District 40..........................................A
Sen Eric Koch (R), Senate District 44............................................... C
*State Senator Stoops is retiring. Shelli Yoder is running in his place and is running unopposed.
Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R), House District 60..................................... D
Rep. Matt Pierce (D), House District 61........................................... A
Rep. Jeff Ellington (R), House District 62......................................... D
Rep. Chris May (R), House District 65..............................................D
Sen. Mark Stoops* (D), Senate District 40..........................................A
Sen Eric Koch (R), Senate District 44............................................... C
*State Senator Stoops is retiring. Shelli Yoder is running in his place and is running unopposed.
How They Voted on Chosen Bills
The 2020 Challengers
These candidates are running against the incumbents above.
Tiffany Grant (D), House District 60
Alyssa Bailey (D), House District 62
Cinde Wirth (D), Senate District 44
The others are running unopposed.
Tiffany Grant (D), House District 60
Alyssa Bailey (D), House District 62
Cinde Wirth (D), Senate District 44
The others are running unopposed.
The Nine Bills Used in the 2020 Report Card
Some good news for public education…
HB-1002 (2020)
This bill eliminates the requirement to use standardized test scores for teacher evaluations. One point was given for a yes vote on this bill.
“Yes” vote = 1 point.
HB-1007 (2020) Teacher pay amendments only
Although ICPE did not take a position on the final version of this “fiscal matters” bill, we did support two teacher pay amendments to HB 1007; the votes on the amendments were the votes we counted for the legislative report card. Amendment 14 in the House would have added $186 million to school funding, with the recommendation that it be used for teacher pay. Amendment 14 also called for at least 10% of all non-public schools receiving money for choice scholarships (vouchers) to be audited each state fiscal year. This was the only attempt at creating more transparency and accountability for schools accepting state funds in this session. Amendment 3 in the Senate tried to add $100 million in funding to boost teacher pay. Both amendments failed.
“Yes” vote for either amendment = 1 point.
SB-2 (2020)
This bill holds schools and school districts harmless from scores from the new ILEARN test, defining how the state will designate performance measures for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.
“Yes” vote = 1 point.
But also a LOT of bad news.
HB-1001 (2019)
Known as the budget bill, this bill included a 2.5% increase (on average) for public schools. ICPE favored a 3% increase. The bill raised the cap for tax credits by $3.5 million over two years for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO), which ICPE opposed. An “automatic escalator” for SGOs (ICPE opposed) was removed from the final bill. The bill included additional money ($15 million over two years) for the Charter Schools Grant and additional money for vouchers. The bill expanded voucher eligibility by adding a 70% voucher, adding two-year new costs of $19 million, according to the LSA estimate. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1003 (2019)
This bill included school corporation expenditure targets and the Governor’s plan for teacher pay. ICPE opposed this bill because other bills contained higher amounts for teacher pay. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1005 (2019)
This bill set an earlier date for abolishing the elected office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The appointment of the secretary of education by the governor will now begin January 11, 2021. (The previous date was January 11, 2025.) It retained the eligibility language ICPE strongly opposed, which allows a leader with no K-12 experience to be appointed. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1629 2019
This bill covered various education matters, including expanding voucher eligibility by changing the definition of elementary school. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1641 2019
This bill covered a variety of charter school matters. ICPE opposed this bill due to provisions regarding the sale of no longer used public school buildings. The bill: • Reduces the time frame that a school corporation must make a vacant or unused school buildings available to a charter school • Requires a school corporation to sell certain vacant school buildings to an accredited nonpublic school or postsecondary educational institution for an amount not more than the minimum bid for the school building or an amount agreed to by both parties • Provides that, if a school corporation does not comply with the requirements regarding a vacant or unused school building and charter schools, the school corporation must submit any proceeds from the sale of the vacant or unused school building to the state board of education (state board) to provide grants under the charter school and innovation grant program One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1065 2020
This bill says public schools “may” share referendum proceeds with charter schools, allowing charter schools to pressure public schools to either share referendum proceeds or face their active opposition to the referendum.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1002 (2020)
This bill eliminates the requirement to use standardized test scores for teacher evaluations. One point was given for a yes vote on this bill.
“Yes” vote = 1 point.
HB-1007 (2020) Teacher pay amendments only
Although ICPE did not take a position on the final version of this “fiscal matters” bill, we did support two teacher pay amendments to HB 1007; the votes on the amendments were the votes we counted for the legislative report card. Amendment 14 in the House would have added $186 million to school funding, with the recommendation that it be used for teacher pay. Amendment 14 also called for at least 10% of all non-public schools receiving money for choice scholarships (vouchers) to be audited each state fiscal year. This was the only attempt at creating more transparency and accountability for schools accepting state funds in this session. Amendment 3 in the Senate tried to add $100 million in funding to boost teacher pay. Both amendments failed.
“Yes” vote for either amendment = 1 point.
SB-2 (2020)
This bill holds schools and school districts harmless from scores from the new ILEARN test, defining how the state will designate performance measures for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.
“Yes” vote = 1 point.
But also a LOT of bad news.
HB-1001 (2019)
Known as the budget bill, this bill included a 2.5% increase (on average) for public schools. ICPE favored a 3% increase. The bill raised the cap for tax credits by $3.5 million over two years for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO), which ICPE opposed. An “automatic escalator” for SGOs (ICPE opposed) was removed from the final bill. The bill included additional money ($15 million over two years) for the Charter Schools Grant and additional money for vouchers. The bill expanded voucher eligibility by adding a 70% voucher, adding two-year new costs of $19 million, according to the LSA estimate. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1003 (2019)
This bill included school corporation expenditure targets and the Governor’s plan for teacher pay. ICPE opposed this bill because other bills contained higher amounts for teacher pay. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1005 (2019)
This bill set an earlier date for abolishing the elected office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The appointment of the secretary of education by the governor will now begin January 11, 2021. (The previous date was January 11, 2025.) It retained the eligibility language ICPE strongly opposed, which allows a leader with no K-12 experience to be appointed. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1629 2019
This bill covered various education matters, including expanding voucher eligibility by changing the definition of elementary school. One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1641 2019
This bill covered a variety of charter school matters. ICPE opposed this bill due to provisions regarding the sale of no longer used public school buildings. The bill: • Reduces the time frame that a school corporation must make a vacant or unused school buildings available to a charter school • Requires a school corporation to sell certain vacant school buildings to an accredited nonpublic school or postsecondary educational institution for an amount not more than the minimum bid for the school building or an amount agreed to by both parties • Provides that, if a school corporation does not comply with the requirements regarding a vacant or unused school building and charter schools, the school corporation must submit any proceeds from the sale of the vacant or unused school building to the state board of education (state board) to provide grants under the charter school and innovation grant program One point was given for a no vote on this bill.
“No” vote = 1 point.
HB-1065 2020
This bill says public schools “may” share referendum proceeds with charter schools, allowing charter schools to pressure public schools to either share referendum proceeds or face their active opposition to the referendum.
“No” vote = 1 point.
The Grades for All That Are Up for Reelection
District/Senator-Party ...Grade
2 Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph-D ...A
3 Sen. Eddie Melton-D ...A
5 Sen. Ed Charbonneau-R ...D
7 Sen. Brian Buchanan-R ...D
8 Sen. Michael Bohacek-R ...C
9 Sen. Ryan Mishler-R ...C
10 Sen. David L. Niezgodski-D ...B
12 Sen. Blake Doriot-R ...D
13 Sen. C. Susan Glick-R ...D
16 Sen. Justin Busch-R ...D
18 Sen. Stacey Donato-R ...INC*
24 Sen. John Crane-R ...D
28 Sen. Michael R. Crider-R ...D
30 Sen. John Ruckelshaus-R ...D
32 Sen. Aaron Freeman-R ...D
33 Sen. Greg Taylor-D ...A
34 Sen. Jean Breaux-D ...B
35 Sen. R. Michael Young-R ...C
36 Sen. Jack Sandlin-R ...D
37 Sen. Rodric D. Bray-R ...D
42 Sen. Jean Leising-R ...D
44 Sen. Eric A. Koch-R ...C
50 Sen. Vaneta Becker-R ...B
District/Representative-Party ...Grade
1 Rep. Carolyn Jackson-D ...A
2 Rep. Earl Harris-D ...A
3 Rep. Ragen Hatcher-D ...A
4 Rep. Ed Soliday-R ...D
5 Rep. Dale DeVon-R ...D
7 Rep. Ross Deal-D ...A
8 Rep. Ryan Dvorak-D ...A
9 Rep. Pat Boy-D ...A
10 Rep. Charles Moseley-D ...A
11 Rep. Michael J. Aylesworth-R ...D
13 Rep. Sharon Negele-R ...D
14 Rep. Vernon G. Smith-D ...A
15 Rep. Chris Chyung-D ...A
16 Rep. Douglas L. Gutwein-R ...D
17 Rep. Jack Jordan-R ...D
19 Rep. Lisa Beck-D ...A
20 Rep. Jim Pressel-R ...D
21 Rep. Timothy Wesco-R ...D
22 Rep. Curt Nisly-R ...C
23 Rep. Ethan Manning-R ...D
24 Rep. Donna Schaibley-R ...D
25 Rep. Donald J. Lehe-R ...D
26 Rep. Chris Campbell-D ...A
27 Rep. Sheila Klinker-D ...A
28 Rep. Jeffrey A. Thompson-R ...D
29 Rep. Chuck Goodrich-R ...D
30 Rep. Mike Karickhoff-R ...D
31 Rep. Ann Vermillion-R ...INC*
32 Rep. Anthony J. Cook-R ...D
33 Rep. J.D. Prescott-R ...C
34 Rep. Sue E. Errington-D ...A
35 Rep. Melanie Wright-D ...A
36 Rep. Terri Jo Austin-D ...A
37 Rep. Todd Huston-R ...D
38 Rep. Heath VanNatter-R ...D
39 Rep. Jerry Torr-R ...D
40 Rep. Gregory E. Steuerwald-R ...D
41 Rep. Tim Brown-R ...D
42 Rep. Alan Morrison-R ...D
43 Rep. Tonya Pfaff-D ...A
44 Rep. Beau Baird-R ...D
45 Rep. Bruce Borders-R ...D
46 Rep. Bob Heaton-R ...D
47 Rep. John Young-R ...D
48 Rep. Doug Miller-R ...D
49 Rep. Christy Stutzman-R ...D
50 Rep. Daniel J. Leonard-R ...D
51 Rep. Dennis J. Zent-R ...D
52 Rep. Ben Smaltz-R ...D
53 Rep. Robert W. Cherry-R ...D
54 Rep. Thomas E. Saunders-R ...D
55 Rep. Cindy Meyer Ziemke-R ...D
56 Rep. Brad Barrett-R ...D
57 Rep. Sean R. Eberhart-R ...D
59 Rep. Ryan Lauer-R ...D
60 Rep. Peggy Mayfield-R ...D
61 Rep. Matt Pierce-D ...A
62 Rep. Jeff Ellington-R ...D
63 Rep. Shane Lindauer-R ...D
64 Rep. Matt Hostettler-R ...D
65 Rep. Chris May-R ...D
66 Rep. Terry Goodin-D ...B
67 Rep. Randy Frye-R ...D
68 Rep. Randy Lyness-R ...D
69 Rep. Jim Lucas-R ...D
70 Rep. Karen Engleman-R ...D
71 Rep. Rita Fleming-D ...A
72 Rep. Edward D. Clere-R ...D
73 Rep. Steven Davisson-R ...D
74 Rep. Steve Bartels-R ...D
76 Rep. Wendy McNamara-R ...D
77 Rep. Ryan Hatfield-D ...A
78 Rep. Holli Sullivan-R ...D
79 Rep. Matthew S. Lehman-R ...D
80 Rep. Phil GiaQuinta-D ...A
81 Rep. Martin Carbaugh-R ...D
82 Rep. David Abbott-R ...D
83 Rep. Christopher N. Judy-R ...D
84 Rep. Bob Morris-R ...D
85 Rep. Dave Heine-R ...D
86 Rep. Edward O. Delaney-D ...A
87 Rep. Carey Hamilton-D ...A
89 Rep. Cindy Meyer Kirchhofer-R ...D
90 Rep. Mike Speedy-R ...D
91 Rep. Robert W. Behning-R ...D
93 Rep. Dollyne Sherman-R ...INC*
94 Rep. Cherrish S. Pryor-D ...A
95 Rep. John L. Bartlett-D ...A
96 Rep. Gregory A. Porter-D ...A
97 Rep. Justin Moed-D ...B
98 Rep. Robin Shackleford-D ...A
99 Rep. Vanessa J. Summers-D ...A
*The legislators with grades of incomplete served in the 2020 session, but not the 2019 session
2 Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph-D ...A
3 Sen. Eddie Melton-D ...A
5 Sen. Ed Charbonneau-R ...D
7 Sen. Brian Buchanan-R ...D
8 Sen. Michael Bohacek-R ...C
9 Sen. Ryan Mishler-R ...C
10 Sen. David L. Niezgodski-D ...B
12 Sen. Blake Doriot-R ...D
13 Sen. C. Susan Glick-R ...D
16 Sen. Justin Busch-R ...D
18 Sen. Stacey Donato-R ...INC*
24 Sen. John Crane-R ...D
28 Sen. Michael R. Crider-R ...D
30 Sen. John Ruckelshaus-R ...D
32 Sen. Aaron Freeman-R ...D
33 Sen. Greg Taylor-D ...A
34 Sen. Jean Breaux-D ...B
35 Sen. R. Michael Young-R ...C
36 Sen. Jack Sandlin-R ...D
37 Sen. Rodric D. Bray-R ...D
42 Sen. Jean Leising-R ...D
44 Sen. Eric A. Koch-R ...C
50 Sen. Vaneta Becker-R ...B
District/Representative-Party ...Grade
1 Rep. Carolyn Jackson-D ...A
2 Rep. Earl Harris-D ...A
3 Rep. Ragen Hatcher-D ...A
4 Rep. Ed Soliday-R ...D
5 Rep. Dale DeVon-R ...D
7 Rep. Ross Deal-D ...A
8 Rep. Ryan Dvorak-D ...A
9 Rep. Pat Boy-D ...A
10 Rep. Charles Moseley-D ...A
11 Rep. Michael J. Aylesworth-R ...D
13 Rep. Sharon Negele-R ...D
14 Rep. Vernon G. Smith-D ...A
15 Rep. Chris Chyung-D ...A
16 Rep. Douglas L. Gutwein-R ...D
17 Rep. Jack Jordan-R ...D
19 Rep. Lisa Beck-D ...A
20 Rep. Jim Pressel-R ...D
21 Rep. Timothy Wesco-R ...D
22 Rep. Curt Nisly-R ...C
23 Rep. Ethan Manning-R ...D
24 Rep. Donna Schaibley-R ...D
25 Rep. Donald J. Lehe-R ...D
26 Rep. Chris Campbell-D ...A
27 Rep. Sheila Klinker-D ...A
28 Rep. Jeffrey A. Thompson-R ...D
29 Rep. Chuck Goodrich-R ...D
30 Rep. Mike Karickhoff-R ...D
31 Rep. Ann Vermillion-R ...INC*
32 Rep. Anthony J. Cook-R ...D
33 Rep. J.D. Prescott-R ...C
34 Rep. Sue E. Errington-D ...A
35 Rep. Melanie Wright-D ...A
36 Rep. Terri Jo Austin-D ...A
37 Rep. Todd Huston-R ...D
38 Rep. Heath VanNatter-R ...D
39 Rep. Jerry Torr-R ...D
40 Rep. Gregory E. Steuerwald-R ...D
41 Rep. Tim Brown-R ...D
42 Rep. Alan Morrison-R ...D
43 Rep. Tonya Pfaff-D ...A
44 Rep. Beau Baird-R ...D
45 Rep. Bruce Borders-R ...D
46 Rep. Bob Heaton-R ...D
47 Rep. John Young-R ...D
48 Rep. Doug Miller-R ...D
49 Rep. Christy Stutzman-R ...D
50 Rep. Daniel J. Leonard-R ...D
51 Rep. Dennis J. Zent-R ...D
52 Rep. Ben Smaltz-R ...D
53 Rep. Robert W. Cherry-R ...D
54 Rep. Thomas E. Saunders-R ...D
55 Rep. Cindy Meyer Ziemke-R ...D
56 Rep. Brad Barrett-R ...D
57 Rep. Sean R. Eberhart-R ...D
59 Rep. Ryan Lauer-R ...D
60 Rep. Peggy Mayfield-R ...D
61 Rep. Matt Pierce-D ...A
62 Rep. Jeff Ellington-R ...D
63 Rep. Shane Lindauer-R ...D
64 Rep. Matt Hostettler-R ...D
65 Rep. Chris May-R ...D
66 Rep. Terry Goodin-D ...B
67 Rep. Randy Frye-R ...D
68 Rep. Randy Lyness-R ...D
69 Rep. Jim Lucas-R ...D
70 Rep. Karen Engleman-R ...D
71 Rep. Rita Fleming-D ...A
72 Rep. Edward D. Clere-R ...D
73 Rep. Steven Davisson-R ...D
74 Rep. Steve Bartels-R ...D
76 Rep. Wendy McNamara-R ...D
77 Rep. Ryan Hatfield-D ...A
78 Rep. Holli Sullivan-R ...D
79 Rep. Matthew S. Lehman-R ...D
80 Rep. Phil GiaQuinta-D ...A
81 Rep. Martin Carbaugh-R ...D
82 Rep. David Abbott-R ...D
83 Rep. Christopher N. Judy-R ...D
84 Rep. Bob Morris-R ...D
85 Rep. Dave Heine-R ...D
86 Rep. Edward O. Delaney-D ...A
87 Rep. Carey Hamilton-D ...A
89 Rep. Cindy Meyer Kirchhofer-R ...D
90 Rep. Mike Speedy-R ...D
91 Rep. Robert W. Behning-R ...D
93 Rep. Dollyne Sherman-R ...INC*
94 Rep. Cherrish S. Pryor-D ...A
95 Rep. John L. Bartlett-D ...A
96 Rep. Gregory A. Porter-D ...A
97 Rep. Justin Moed-D ...B
98 Rep. Robin Shackleford-D ...A
99 Rep. Vanessa J. Summers-D ...A
*The legislators with grades of incomplete served in the 2020 session, but not the 2019 session
All the Grades
To access all the grades, which includes legislators who are not up for re-election in 2020, see page 6 of this PDF: https://www.indianacoalitionforpubliced.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ICPE-2020-Legislative-Report-Card-and-Appendix.pdf