By Larry Grau, DFER Indiana State Director
I’m not sure if it’s the drought or the extreme heat but in the words of John Lennon, these have been some “strange days indeed — most peculiar, Mama” when it comes to politics and ed reform in Indiana.
As reformers, we’re all aware that when you challenge the status quo, you’re sure to meet resistance from individuals who view progress and improvement as scary propositions. Indiana State Senator and DFER’s “Reformer of the Month,” Mary Ann Sullivan, has proven she’s not afraid to ruffle some feathers for the sake of pushing true education reform in her home state. She refuses to stand by while the largest public school district (Indianapolis Public Schools or IPS) is failing a majority of its students.
Amid what’s turning out to be an extremely tight senate race in addition to battling her political opponent, Sullivan is now being challenged by a surprising foe: the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA). Recently – and mystifyingly – ISTA publicly endorsed Sullivan’s Republican opponent. It’s a move that can only be described as spiteful and petty. While Mary Ann has voted time and again for reform that benefits teachers and students (including increased funding for schools), her refusal to blindly vote according to ISTA’s every wish has landed her in hot water with an organization more interested in controlling legislators than working with them.
To her absolute credit, Sullivan isn’t blinking. While rational observers continue to question why ISTA has aligned itself with her opponent, Brent Waltz, a right-wing cultural warrior, Sullivan sees this move for exactly what it is. She had this to say about the ISTA. “If you step out of line, they’re going to smack you down… That’s the message they are delivering.”
Nonetheless, Sullivan continues to fight for reform. As a state representative, she has made education a keystone issue, pushing for more early learning opportunities, teacher autonomy, effective charter schools, greater teacher and school accountability, and improving higher education. In her race for the House, media and analysts wrote off Sullivan’s chances early. And, we all saw how that turned out. They were wrong. This Senate race is presenting itself similarly. We’re confident that with sustained support from people who believe our children deserve more out of their public educational system, she’ll continue to lead reform as a Indiana State Senator.