Holcomb Signs ‘Hold Harmless’ Measure into Law

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Governor Eric Holcomb has signed legislation to hold schools harmless for the 2019 and 2020 ILEARN exam results. The bill would prevent the test results from negatively affecting schools’ accountability grades and teacher evaluations.

The move for the “hold harmless” policy followed the release of the inaugural ILEARN exam results, which saw a more than 13% decrease from the previous year’s ISTEP+ exam.

“This legislation ensures that Indiana’s students, teachers and schools have the time they need to successfully adjust to the new ILEARN,” said Holcomb. “I am grateful that the General Assembly unanimously supported my call to take action allowing educators to remain focused on helping Hoosier students succeed.”

Indiana lawmakers in both the house and senate approved the bill at the start of the current legislative session.

It prevents each school’s 2019 accountability grade from being lower than its 2018 grade. Additionally, each school’s 2020 grade would not be lower than its 2019 grade.