Bob Behning, who helped start vouchers and grow charters in Indiana, toppled in election shocker
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Before Bob Behning took the reins of the Indiana House Education Committee, there were no school vouchers in the state. Charter schools were in their nascent stages. And the state had yet to…
Indiana Republican Bob Behning, who played a pivotal role in introducing school vouchers and expanding charter schools during his 15-year tenure as chair of the Indiana House Education Committee, suffered a surprising defeat in last night's election. Reportedly ousted by Democratic challenger Jarren Hurt, Behning's loss marks a turning point for education policy in the state.
The shock of his defeat not only shakes the GOP-dominated committee but also raises questions about the direction of education reform in Indiana's upcoming legislative session.
Behning's long-standing influence in education reform is undeniable, having authored and sponsored key legislation such as the Indiana Choice Scholarship and greater flexibility for charter schools. His advocacy for new grading scales for schools and teachers as part of the broader education agenda set the tone for policies under the leadership of Republican Governor Mitch Daniels and State Superintendent Tony Bennett.
Behning's efforts extended to establishing the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance and its successor, the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, which aimed to increase resource sharing between the Indianapolis Public Schools and local charters.
However, Behning's tenure was met with opposition from public education advocates. Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, president of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education, argued that Behning was the architect of policies that her coalition opposed. She emphasized the importance of parental choice in education, urging lawmakers to reconsider their stance after Behning and fellow Republican Todd Huston's defeat.
Behning was in the midst of a multi-year deregulation effort when he lost his seat, but his impact on Indiana education reform remains undeniable.
The defeat of Behning and other Republicans on the committee suggests a shift in GOP attitudes towards education. Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney, the newly elected committee member, believes that the newly elected representatives understand the challenges facing Indiana schools and will oppose recent initiatives supporting charter schools and innovative programs. This change in the committee's makeup could lead to a more nuanced conversation about education, potentially altering the policies pursued by the state in the future.
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