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Top Indiana school issues headed for Statehouse debates

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A couple of contentious issues facing Indiana schools are poised for debate in the Statehouse in the coming week.

A discussion Monday in a legislative committee could point toward how the General Assembly addresses concerns about a declining number of new teachers. The State Board of Education meets Wednesday and could set the pass/fail marks for the ISTEP standardized test after months of delays in schools receiving results. The board put off a vote on ISTEP’s passing scores two weeks ago.

Both the teacher shortage and ISTEP have emerged as charged political issues heading into next year, both during the upcoming legislative session and in election campaigns as Republican Gov. Mike Pence seeks a second term.