Panel considers end to linking test results, teacher pay

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Some members of a state panel charged with recommending a replacement for Indiana’s unpopular ISTEP student exam want to drop the use of test results in teacher pay evaluations.

The 23-member committee met Tuesday for its fourth session as it faces a December deadline for suggestions to be considered during next year’s legislative session.

Committee chairwoman Nicole Fama says the results of the new test could still be used to evaluate schools even if not factors in determining teacher pay.

Such changes would have to be approved by the state Legislature.

Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Wendy Robinson said the state needs to decouple teacher pay from the student test or it will be simply trading ISTEP for a similar exam.