Interview: State Superintendent Glenda Ritz

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Eric Weddle

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz
*Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana*

A public battle between Gov. Mike Pence and State Superintendent Glenda Ritz dominated headlines this week. At issue is the length of the state’s standardized test for students grades 3 through 8 -- the ISTEP. This year’s exam is expected to take 12 hours to complete -- nearly double the length of last year’s test.

The week began with Pence blaming Ritz for the test’s duration. Now, the two are working together with outside consultants to shorten the exam before testing begins February 25.

WFYI News Education reporter Eric Weddle spoke with Ritz this afternoon about ISTEP, communicating with Pence and proposed legislation that would remove her as chairwoman of the State Board of Education.

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