Vouchers to Evaluations, Indiana Gets Conservative Stamp

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels autographs the arm of one of the school children who attended a May 5 bill-signing ceremony at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Daniels signed into law a bill creating the nation's broadest school voucher program, and another that calls for an expansion of charter schools in the state.

—Michael Conroy/AP

Education agenda is scrutinized as governor eyes a presidential run

By Sean Cavanagh

As states around the country near the end of contentious legislative sessions, few have made as many dramatic changes to education policy as Indiana, where Gov. Mitch Daniels and fellow Republicans have put a conservative stamp on issues ranging from school choice to teacher evaluations and collective bargaining.

Those victories come amid speculation about whether Mr. Daniels will pursue the 2012 GOP presidential nomination—a possibility that would almost certainly make his schools agenda the focus of national scrutiny, and partisan debate.

Lawmakers in Indiana’s Republican-controlled legislature, with Mr. Daniels’ support, this year approved the creation of what might be the nation’s most ambitious voucher program, as well as charter school expansion, pay-for-performance for educators, and restrictions...