INDIANAPOLIS -- Documents show an Indiana State Board of Education official may have played a role in what was supposed to be an independent investigation into the ISTEP+ exam.
The State Board of Education moved forward with an independent analysis of the ISTEP+ during the height of issues, including length and scoring, during the first year of the test.
The pair of experts prepared seven reports, and an executive summary. There are suggested edits from executive director of the Indiana State Board of Education.
"We wanted to make sure if you're going to have the executive summary that the general public can understand beyond some of the in the weeds testing issues and items that the experts uncovered, and we wanted to make sure we're presenting the study in the fact that it is valid," Mark Lotter, State Board of Education Director of External Relations said.
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Lotter says the edits don't change the conclusion or recommendations in the report.
"I have confidence in the validity of the process, but look we're working through a framework in this session of the General Assembly to really reconsider the ISTEP test and take a step back and think about ways we can do testing better in the State of Indiana," Gov. Mike Pence said.
In a statement, John Gregg, the Democratic candidate for governor said, "When it comes to our kids' education, Indiana students, parents and teachers deserve the unvarnished truth, not more politics, scandals and cover-ups."
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