For release Jan. 21 and thereafter (675 words)Note to editors: The author’s next column, for Feb. 4 release, will focus on Gary’s KIPP LEAD College Prep Charter (mentioned in graf 8).At first glance, two new studies of Indiana charter schools appear to have reached contradictory conclusions. Not really. A thorough reading of the data makes three things absolutely clear: 1) Students in Indiana charter schools are making more progress than their peers in traditional public…

For release Jan. 9 and thereafter (689 words). “Several psychologists interviewed one day after (Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s) arrest agreed that he might be suffering from an affliction known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” (Dec. 11, Chicago Sun-Times)A few of us will sit out the inauguration festivities. We’ve seen and heard enough. There’s no fun in pretending to celebrate the transition of one failed generation to another. The director of my daughter’s ballet academy has put her…

For release Dec. 31 and thereafter (700 words)    When Tony Bennett lobbies state legislators on behalf of Indiana public school students, it won’t be with hands outstretched. “I am not a person who thinks we need more money infused in the system,” said Bennett, who takes office Jan. 12 as Superintendent of Public Instruction.    Indiana invested $776 million extra in K-12 education over the past four years “with no appreciable change” in test scores, he…

For release Dec. 24 and thereafter (600 words) “(School District) Sees ISTEP Slide,” “No Improvement on ISTEP+ Science Test,” ISTEP+ Scores Drop at (School District),” “Little Good News in District’s ISTEP+ Scores,” “Scores Drop Across State,” “Fewer Pass Tests This Year at (School District,” “State and Local ISTEP Scores Down.” — Headlines in Indiana newspapers following the most recent release of state ISTEP+ scores by Jeff Abbott, Ph.D., J.D. The release by the Indiana Department…

For release Dec. 17 and thereafter (652 words) On Dec. 4, the Indiana Department of Education released the latest ISTEP (Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress) results for Indiana students. They were stagnant. Despite higher academic standards and more spending by taxpayers, scores showed no improvement from the previous year.    The next day, in an odd coincidence of timing, the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) was before the State Supreme Court demanding a trial on…

For release noon Tuesday Dec. 9 (556 words)I love saying I told you so. But setting aside my sinful pride, I hope the turmoil in the retail gasoline market does teach all of us in Indiana at least one simple yet profound lesson: Gasoline prices follow oil prices.Eighteen months ago retail gasoline prices surged to around $3.50 a gallon. At the time I argued that high gasoline prices were the byproduct of supply and demand…

For release Dec. 3 and thereafter (690 words)The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Zweig recently found a silver lining behind the global meltdown of financial markets: After years of maxing out credit cards and squandering money, consumers may be forced to live within their means.    If that lesson is a sound one for ordinary citizens — and it is — what about the government bodies that have modeled extravagant spending practices for decades? When’s the last…

For release at noon Tuesday Nov. 25 and thereafter (765 words)The implementation of the recent bailout legislation included a provision allowing the Treasury Department to invest up to $250 billion taxpayer dollars into bank equities in Indiana and throughout the country. This partial nationalization of our banks creates the potential for much mischief, calling up the old saying, “Taxing capital is like taxing seed corn.” For example, the act provides restrictions on dividend policy, share…

For release Nov. 19 and thereafter (700 words)If you were one of the citizens who took to the streets last year, demanding relief from out-of-control property taxes, pay close attention to the upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly. Future tax cuts are in danger.   Local governments, schools, some legislators and others are trying to put the kibosh on a constitutional property tax cap proposal supported by Gov. Daniels and Senate Republicans. House Speaker B.…

For release noon Tuesday Nov. 11 and thereafter (662 words) Some of us spent Veteran’s Day this week restoring the word “courage” to its proper meaning. It took a beating in Indiana’s political campaigns. Starting with the military definition makes sense. But that is not as simple as you might think. Even on the battlefield, let alone in the political salon, there is disagreement as to what qualifies as “courage.” In the Vietnam War, for…