Here’s what Indiana’s Republican gubernatorial candidates have to say about education

Indiana has been a national leader for more than a decade in sending taxpayer dollars to help fund private school education through its school choice voucher program. In last year’s state budget, Republicans expanded Indiana’s school choice voucher program, making it near-universal.WFIU / WTIUIn last year’s state budget, Republicans expanded it further, making the program near-universal. Only families whose incomes are above $220,000 a year for a family of four aren’t eligible for those dollars.Here’s what the state’s six Republican gubernatorial candidates say about the issue:Brad Chambers:Chambers said the school choice system isn’t perfect yet and that he wants to address any existing inequalities.But more broadly, the former state commerce secretary said Indiana needs to continue to push on improving literacy and math skills.“If you have a literacy struggle starting in third grade, fourth grade, it’s going to follow you your entire life and it’s going to affect your ability to earn a living,” Chambers said. “Thirty-five percent of kids in sixth grade are struggling to pass their I-LEARN test with math scores. I mean, we’re 300,000 engineers behind China right now.”Chambers said education needs to be more individualized, adapting to each child.Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch:Crouch said while the state...