The decision by the board, endorses a different type of expanded preschool than the version proposed by outgoing state superintendent Glenda Ritz.

The group decided on a two-fold recommendation including broad ideas for writing a new assessment system, and details on how to achieve those ideas.

They are looking for ways to keep the Gary Community School Corp. afloat financially after voters rejected a general fund referendum for the second time in 18 months.

ESSA, the new federal education law, prioritizes the learning of English learners more than ever before.

The pushback comes as top panel members have said Indiana will likely delay any changes until after spring 2018,

The Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University compared school voucher programs in Indiana, the District of Columbia, Arizona, Louisiana, Ohio and Wisconsin - all places with a similar voucher program.

The state awarded the grants to 14 schools that all have "D" or "F" grades in the state's school rating system.

The plan is just one design the ISTEP committee could consider sugesting to the 2017 General Assembly next legislative session.

The ISTEP panel that is developing a legislative recommendation for how to replace the state's testing system heard from a slew of national testing experts Tuesday, who make the most specific suggestions to date.

Democrat Glenda Ritz and Republican Jennifer McCormick will face off for the Indiana superintendent for public instruction race in their only scheduled debate Oct. 17 in Fort Wayne.