Committee OKs ISTEP changes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A House committee unanimously passed a bill Tuesday morning that would shorten the ISTEP taken by Indiana students.

Senate Bill 62 was a bill originally written to make changes to fitness requirements in school. It was later amended to address concerns that the ISTEP was too long.

Last week, Gov. Mike Pence and Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz agreed to cut ISTEP down from 12 hours to about nine. State lawmakers have to approve the plan because it calls for eliminating social studies testing in fifth and seventh grades, which was a state requirement.

Testing starts at the end of the month.

The full House still needs to vote on the bill.

24-Hour News 8 reporter Howard Monroe is at the Statehouse. Check back with WISHTV.com for updates.