Bennett tries to sell proposals at leadership conference

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett talked to educators Monday about sweeping proposals he hopes will improve standards. He spoke at the Center of Excellence in Leadership Learning's Indiana's Future Conference.

Bennett talked about his controversial plans to restructure teacher licensing. Through his proposals, he hopes to encourage those in business and other fields to become educators.

"No one is going to force school boards to hire non-traditionally certified principals, superintendents or teachers. But we believe Indiana children should have the opportunity to have those people in front of them. We believe this is about higher standards and more flexibility," said Bennett.

Bennett also talked about plans to link teacher pay to student performance. That incited lively debate. Educators fear the measure will discourage teachers from seeking jobs in challenging urban areas.

"If we're gonna accomplish true educational equality, we need good teachers at all levels and we need people to be rewarded for accepting the most difficult challenges by school, community, social class," said Craig Potter, the chair of the English Department at Perry Meridian High School.

Dr. Bennett insists his plan won't discourage teachers from seeking jobs at low-performing schools. His goal is for 90 percent of the state's public school children to pass I-STEP. Currently, only 61 percent pass both English and Math portions of the test.