Indiana Superintendent Praises Students Come First Reforms

Tony Bennett, the State Superintendent of Indiana, was in Boise today speaking with families from across Idaho about education reform and expanding choice in public education.

Last year, Indiana also passed comprehensive education reform laws. Some of them were similar to what was passed here in Idaho through Students Come First.

The Idaho Coalition of Charter School Families invited Dr. Bennett to speak at a rally on the Statehouse steps to promote the lifting of the cap on public charter schools in Idaho.

Currently, under Idaho law, only six new charter schools can open per year. The Coalition, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, the Idaho State Board of Education, the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, several legislators and others support lifting the cap.

Right now, Idaho has 43 public charter schools statewide and about 8,000 students on a waiting list to attend a public charter school. 

In his remarks to the crowd of hundreds of students, parents and legislators, Dr. Bennett recognized Idaho as a leader in reform across the country.

“When it comes to education reform, the I’s have it. And that is Idaho and Indiana,” Dr. Bennett said. “There are very few, if any, superintendents in the United States who have done for the children of their state what Tom Luna has done for the children of your state.

“I applaud the fact that Idaho is among the nation’s leaders in recognizing and rewarding great teaching because there is nothing more important in the life of a child, besides that child’s parents, than an inspired and an inspiring teacher,” Bennett continued. “To all our teachers today who are here, thank you for doing great work.”