The candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction held their first and only debate in Fort Wayne Monday.

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

Schools and parents received individual student ISTEP scores back in August, but they were embargoed.

Jennifer McCormick, the GOP candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, released a detailed plan Wednesday on how she would manage education and attempt to influence state policy if she ousts incumbent Glenda Ritz in November.

The contracts, which totaled $573,000, weren't put up for a competitive process.

It's an issue the Legislature has been studying all summer, and a topic that's been all over the news.

Monday's meeting focused on establishing goals for graduation rates and student achievement.

Officials say the funds are necessary to expand state-funded pre-k for all kids, increase tuition support for all schools and bump up funding for small, rural schools.

The state accuses CTB, now Data Recognition Corporation, of not living up to contractual duties after the company substantially delayed releasing 2015 ISTEP+ scores.

The state spent $131.5 million in scholarships this year, which is $18 million more than last school year.