The state is preparing for a new statewide exam for students called ILEARN, and it could end up taking students fewer hours to complete.

The state awarded a three-year, $43.4 million contract to a nonprofit assessment and research company Monday to design the replacement of the ISTEP exam.

Results from the 2017 ISTEP exam remain nearly unchanged after an overhaul of the standardized test caused pass rates to plummet two years ago.

Lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Eric Holcomb that would replace the much derided ISTEP test with a new standarized exam in 2019.

The Indiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday setting guidelines for ILEARN, a new standardized test that will replace the troubled ISTEP exam in 2019.