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State lawmakers have differing visions on ISTEP’s future

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana House and Senate are at odds over a proposal to scrap the ISTEP+ standardized test for students.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly last week in favor of a bill that calls for replacing the exam with an “off-the-shelf” test in hopes of saving millions of dollars in testing costs. House members favor keeping ISTEP+ in place while undertaking a special review of a possible overhaul.

Lawmakers must wrestle with reaching an agreement before the General Assembly session’s scheduled adjournment on April 29.

Their task could be complicated by lingering concerns stemming from an outcry in February over a jump in the length of time students would spend on the test, as well as sticker shock over future contracts with exam vendors.