Democrat Gregg criticizes Pence’s handling of ISTEP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Democrats sharply criticized Indiana Gov. Mike Pence following an Associated Press story revealing an administrator for Pence’s state board of education altered a report summarizing an independent investigation into the unpopular ISTEP exam.

Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg, who is running for governor against Pence, called the findings “disturbing” and said Wednesday that Pence puts ideology ahead of the state’s best interests.

The AP obtained documents through a public record request showing State Board of Education Executive Director John Snethen made edits and requested changes to the report.

Some passages he asked to change had reflected poorly on the decision by Pence and his GOP allies to adopt last year’s exam after dropping national Common Core standards.

A spokesman for Pence hasn’t responded immediately to a request for comment.