Remember this one - from the Indianapolis Star, October 19, 2012 Tony Bennett has brought a strong and much-needed focus on reform of education in Indiana. The Star strongly endorses him for a second term. Star Editorial Board endorsement: State Superintendent of public instruction: Tony Bennett 7:12 PM, Oct. 19, 2012 | 0 Comments FILED UNDER Opinion Editorial Four years ago, before Tony Bennett was elected to his first term, the office of superintendent of public instruction was not an especially high-profile position in Indiana. Bennett has changed that to a remarkable degree, both through the scope of reform measures he has championed and his own hard-charging personality. Unlike his predecessor, Suellen Reed, Bennett hasnt been timid in taking on teacher unions and other entrenched interests who have long fought to maintain the status quo in Indianas schools. Bennett helped guide stronger accountability measures for schools and teachers through the General Assembly. He also championed merit pay for teachers as well as additional charter schools and education vouchers for low-income families. Hes done it all with unflagging energy, overflowing confidence and a blunt approach, which has not always served him well. Not surprisingly, Bennett has become a controversial figure among some Hoosiers. Indiana has long been a state where change occurs slowly, and nothing about Bennett is slow. In a recent interview with The Stars Editorial Board, when told that several legislators, including Republicans, had floated the notion that the state should pause to evaluate whether the broad swath of reforms put into law in recent years is working before adopting further changes, Bennett was flatly dismissive of the idea. The stakes are too high for students -- and for Indiana -- to go slow now, he argues. About the stakes, hes entirely right. Far too many students leave school without a diploma, and too many of those who do graduate dont have the skills necessary to succeed either in college or a career. Indianas economy is held back by the fact that we have one of the least educated workforces in the nation. Bennetts push for change has been absolutely necessary, and on substance, hes largely been right, even if his style is at times unnecessarily abrasive. Democrat Glenda Ritz is challenging Bennett on the Nov. 6 ballot. A teacher from Indianapolis, Ritz is well-meaning and passionate. But she lacks the vision and the administrative experience needed to lead the Department of Education effectively. Tony Bennett has brought a strong and much-needed focus on reform of education in Indiana. The Star strongly endorses him for a second term.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 00:23:20 +0000
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