Ind. schools chief keynotes legislative conference

INDIANAPOLIS — One of the architects of sweeping school changes approved earlier this year in Indiana has taken his tale to a national group of conservative lawmakers meeting in Arizona.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett headlines the American Legislative Exchange Council’s national meeting in Phoenix on Thursday. Bennett and Gov. Mitch Daniels pushed through expansive changes to the state education system including the creation of the broadest school voucher program in the nation.

Bennett also chairs a national group of state school superintendents called “Chiefs for Change” that advocates changes similar to those approved in Indiana.

The ALEC group promotes conservative legislation in state legislatures across the nation. Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer also are speaking to the group during the three-day conference.