Three candidates are running for governor of Indiana and have the chance to shape education policy in the state: Republican U.S. Senator Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

Their views differ markedly, particularly on education funding issues that are expected to take center stage when the next legislative session begins in January.

While Braun has expressed support for universal access to private school vouchers, Rainwater, a software developer, supports universal ESAs that would provide families with government funding for the courses and activities of their choice, not just private school tuition.

Meanwhile, McCormick, the former superintendent of public instruction, has pointed out that election funding siphoned money from public schools, where 90% of Hoosier students are enrolled.

We asked the three candidates for Indiana governor to answer seven questions about their education plans, including how they would address absenteeism and improve teacher retention and hiring.

Rainwater and McCormick answered our questions, while Braun's campaign provided a link to his education platform in response. Where relevant, Chalkbeat included points from its website that answered our questions.

Early voting is underway and the websites can be found here.

Q: Participation in Indiana's three voucher tracks has increased as restrictions have eased, but most Indiana students still attend public schools. In the meantime, some heads of state want to merge the three areas into a single universal ESA program. How would you balance these interests in the state budget? What is your vision for the future of the school choice landscape?

Rainwater: I believe Indiana should maximize opportunities for every child. I also believe that the future of Indiana's public schools must include a series of comprehensive reforms that shift oversight of education back to the local community, parents, teachers, and school boards, and away from centralized regulatory controls at the state and federal levels. I fully support universal ESA and public decentralization Education.

McCormick: I believe every Hoosier student deserves access to a quality education, and that starts with holding all schools accountable, regardless of whether they are public or private. A first-class education requires adequate funding. Indiana's education system is underfunded, resulting in inadequate educational opportunities that hinder future success. Indiana is ranked 37thTh in per-pupil spending compared to other states and lags behind our neighboring states. Compounding this problem is the expansion of the state's school voucher program, which funnels money from our widely supported public schools to private schools with little oversight. These privatization efforts have not had the promised positive impact, but continue to be supported by Republican policymakers. While 90% of our students attend public schools, Indiana has transferred over $1.6 billion in vouchers from public schools to private schools since 2011. My common-sense plan doesn't eliminate choice, but it does ensure that schools receiving public tax dollars meet the same standards for transparency, fiscal responsibility and academic rigor. As governor, I will demand a school funding formula that provides a more equitable and equitable education for all students. I will also work to stop the expansion of school privatization efforts and demand fiscal and academic accountability and transparency for all Indiana schools. I will fight for a school system that benefits all students, not just the wealthiest, and ensure that public education is fully funded supports.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun promises to take action

Brown: Expand school choice programs, reform the Choice Scholarship Program, and double the Education Scholarship Account Program for families with special needs needs.

Q: Do you support the pathway model outlined in Indiana's new proposed high school diplomas? Why or why not? How does Indiana ensure that every student has full access to secondary curricula, career training and post-secondary opportunities?

Rainwater: First, it is the child's responsibility to determine, in collaboration with their parents and teachers, the best educational path for each individual child. The current one-size-fits-all approach to public education is not producing successful outcomes for many Hoosier children. Indiana must eliminate the heavy-handed legislative approach to education and re-engage parents, teachers and school boards to develop and implement curriculum and diploma standards that maximize opportunities and positive outcomes for all Hoosier children.

McCormick: I echo the concerns expressed by educators, university officials and community leaders about the proposed changes. The original proposal limited access to Indiana's colleges and universities. There were also equity concerns, highlighting that the redesign could disadvantage some student groups. The proposal still does not provide the necessary resources and funding to effectively support its implementation and undermines academic rigor, leaving students less prepared for future success. The main problem facing high schools is inadequate funding and a depleted teacher base — not the structure of graduation requirements. The proposal is a solution in search of a problem and reflects a broader trend in Indiana's unbalanced one-party government over the past two years decades.

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Brown: Invest in career scholarship programs, support extracurricular exploration, and reward schools for graduates who are prepared to excel in their careers, in college, or abroad Military.

Q: School attendance in Indiana is improving but remains below pre-pandemic levels. Lawmakers have passed and proposed a range of solutions to absenteeism, including meetings with families to determine underlying problems, community service and loss of privileges for older absent students, and possible legal action for parents. What specific approaches would you support to improve school attendance?

Rainwater: I believe we need more innovation, competition and opportunity in K-12 education. The more options available to parents and students, the more likely a child is to find an educational platform that maximizes their educational success. When children and parents experience positive outcomes through an educational platform, these children's participation will improve. Poor attendance is usually due to negative experiences and outcomes in education Platform.

McCormick: Improving school attendance in Indiana requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of absenteeism. First, I support increased funding for school counselors and social workers who can work directly with families to identify and address underlying issues such as mental health issues, economic hardships, or transportation Barriers. Additionally, I would encourage the implementation of positive reinforcement strategies such as: B. Attendance awards and recognition programs that honor students for their consistent attendance. Community engagement is critical. Partnerships with local organizations can provide resources and support for families need. Finally, it is crucial to promote a positive school climate in which students feel safe, supported and engaged, as this can significantly influence their willingness to attend school regularly. Through these efforts, we can create an environment that encourages participation and supports students Success.

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Brown: No answer given.

Q: What incentives or initiatives would you prioritize to improve teacher retention and recruitment? Do you think increasing teacher salaries is a solution? If so, how would you do that?

Rainwater: I believe that returning to a less government-centered and more learning-centered educational environment would be the first step. I believe teachers need more support and collaboration in the classroom. I believe teachers will be more interested in coming and staying in Indiana schools if they can teach without the heavy hand of government dictating their every action throughout the day and school year. I believe an expansion of charter schools, private schools, and microschools will create a competitive market in which teacher salaries will increase organic.

McCormick: The most valuable element of a quality education system is the teacher. Due to years of extreme Republican state policies against educators, the teaching profession has been disrespected, deprofessionalized, and dismantled, resulting in a severe shortage of active and aspiring educators in Indiana. There are currently thousands of unfilled education jobs in Indiana. Forty states have higher average teacher salaries than Indiana, and Hoosier educators earn less than their counterparts in every border state. Although most teachers have a bachelor's degree and many also have a master's degree, teachers earn $23,000 less than non-educators with a bachelor's or master's degree. As your governor, I will implement common-sense policies to recruit and retain the best, brightest, and most diverse educators for our students. I will fight to set a minimum base salary of $60,000 for educators, adjust veteran teachers' salaries to match those of their non-teacher colleagues, and work to uphold teachers' rights by protecting the ability of teachers unions to negotiate wages and salaries Advantages.

Brown: Increase base salaries for teachers, guarantee job benefits like parental leave for new parents, and offer improved health insurance Options.

Aleksandra Appleton covers education policy in Indiana and writes about K-12 schools across the state. Contact them at (email protected).

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational changes in public schools.