INDIANAPOLIS -- Coming after the campaign released its agricultural/rural communities plan and its property tax plan, the Republican gubernatorial campaign of U.S. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind. and Micah Beckwith released its education plan on Tuesday.
Centered on policies like universal school choice, boosting teacher pay and prioritizing school safety, Braun said in a news release from the campaign that his plan aims to improve school performance and "put parents in the driver's seat."
Braun was voted as Indiana’s Republican candidate for governor in May, according to previous reports. Braun will face Democratic challenger Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater in November’s general election.
"As a father and former school board member, I know parents are the primary stakeholders in their kids’ education," Braun said in a statement regarding his education plan. "My future-focused education plan puts Hoosier kids and parents first, raises teacher pay and incentive, ensures that our kids are safe, and puts Indiana schools on the path to become the best in the nation."
Ultimately, officials said that Braun's plan aims at empowering parents, recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, prioritizing school safety and raising academic standards for all students.
"By enacting the Freedom and Opportunity Agenda - Education Plan for Indiana, the State of Indiana can improve educational outcomes for every child and prepare them for success beyond high school, whether that means college, military service or the start of their career," the campaign said in an accompanying document highlighting the plan.
In a statement regarding the plan from Beckwith, Braun's lieutenant governor candidate, said they are "standing firm for Indiana parents and students."
"(The plan is) putting parents in control, expanding school choice, and boosting teacher pay to ensure every Hoosier child has the tools to succeed," Beckwith said in a statement on social media. "From enhanced school safety to career readiness programs, (the plan is) committed to creating opportunities for all."
The agenda includes seven proposals from Braun’s campaign surrounding education:
Universal school choice for every Hoosier family
In the campaign's plan, Braun said that providing universal school choice throughout the state will "ensure every Hoosier family has the same freedom to choose their best-fit education."
This includes the expansion of the state's school choice program, along with the choice scholarship program, public school open enrollment and expanding the education scholarship account program for families with special needs.
Boost teacher pay and improve benefits
Braun said that the state needs to take steps to recruit and retain Indiana's next generation of high-quality teachers. This includes increasing the base salaries for public school teachers and ensuring that outcomes-focused performance pay is implemented. The plan also states that teachers in high-need content areas should have higher pay.
The plan also said that teachers should have guaranteed access to professional benefits and have enhanced health insurance options.
Build a strong teacher pipeline
Braun believes the state of Indiana should invest in "entrepreneurial solutions" to help expand the state's teacher pipeline. The plan said that this could be done through investment in the transition to teaching licensure program, allowing Hoosiers with a bachelor's degree to change careers and become teachers on an expedited pathway.
Other "red tape" for teachers would be cut, according to the plan, including expanding certification reciprocity for teachers moving from other states. Under Braun's plan, he also states that Indiana should identify content areas and districts with teacher shortages and direct state resources for recruiting.
Lastly, Braun believes the state should develop "clear accountability metrics" to allow the state to reform lagging programs and help grow the state's teacher pipeline.
Prioritize school safety
Braun's plan establishes the Indiana Office of School Safety, an office that would enhance existing authorities at the Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana State Police.
Braun's plan also states that he aims to increase funding for the secured school safety grant program to help schools employ safety personnel and purchase safety equipment. Funding would also be used to implement age-appropriate cyber safety training for students, including information about phishing, online safety and financial scams.
Improve quality and raise academic standards
To help raise the state's academic standards, Braun said his campaign would continue to fund the development of high-quality and evidence-based instructional materials for reading and math, as well as increase the percentage of state education dollars allocated to teacher salaries.
Braun said he would also work with education stakeholders to build on the recent passage of Senate Enrolled Act 185, the legislation recently passed that would limit cell phone use on school campuses.
The campaign would also work to develop institutional safeguards against "divisive, non-curricular materials like critical race theory and gender identity from being taught" in public schools. One of the other focuses, the campaign stated, would be to study the "long-term learning loss and mental health impact of school lockdowns and mask mandates for children that were enrolled in Indiana schools during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Prepare students for success beyond high school
As far as post-secondary education, Braun's plan states that he would incorporate the state's new high school diploma rule into the school funding formula for the state. Braun said he would reward schools for graduating students with the honors readiness seals and provide enhanced incentives for students who graduate with honors plus seals.
The plan also states that Braun would continue to invest in the career scholarship account program, which provides scholarships to finance career preparation experiences for students.
Put kids first by protecting parental rights
Lastly, the campaign said in its plan that parents would be allowed to access information about their child's education, including curriculum and assigned reading materials, stating that parents have the right to participate.
Braun's campaign said they also support directly notifying parents if a child "requests a name or pronoun change inconsistent with their biological sex" as well as "protect girls' sports from biological male competitors."