Candidate for state superintendent visits Roosevelt
By Christin Nance Lazerus cnance@post-trib.com July 24, 2012 6:04PM
Updated: July 24, 2012 6:48PM
GARY — Democratic candidate for State Superintendent Glenda Ritz stopped by Roosevelt Career and Technical Academy on Tuesday to critique state education officials on a lack of transparency and too much focus on high-stakes testing.
Ritz said it’s become more difficult for educators and citizens to access important information — such as graduation rates, district budgets and state voucher money — on the Indiana Department of Education website.
“I believe that it is absolutely essential that government be managed in a trustworthy, open and transparent manner and that our citizens are able to access to important information at any time and from anywhere,” Ritz said. “In this case, (State Superintendent) Tony Bennett has once again failed another test of leadership.”
Ritz, who has taught for 33 years, decided to run for office after seeing her third grade students subjected to another test — the IREAD-3.
“This high-stakes testing is taking away valuable instructional time, as well as vocational programs and arts and music,” Ritz said. “Kids need a well-rounded education before graduating.”
Instead of imposing policies in a top-down fashion, Ritz said state officials need to take into account the opinions of local residents.
“Locals know what’s wrong with their schools,” Ritz said. “But they don’t get the resources and support to do that.”
