INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A top Republican Indiana legislator on education policy has apologized for comments suggesting Black students don’t perform better academically because they lack “respect for learning.”
House Education Committee Chairman Bob Behning of Indianapolis made the remark last week while pointing out that just 30 out of 1,000 Black students in the Indianapolis Public Schools system passed both the English and math portions of the state’s ILEARN standardized exam last year.
He said many factors could be involved, saying “poverty impacts that for sure, having a respect for learning." Behning apologized Monday in a statement to The Indianapolis Star. A leader of the Indianapolis Urban League called the remark “offensive.”
Latest Stories
-
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute invests $57 million to strengthen services
The investments will strengthen the “organizations that are on the front lines serving victims of crime, supporting families in crisis, and helping young people build bright futures.”
Showers and storms before hot, humid midweek
Showers and storms cross central Indiana later this evening. Our hot & humid air mass sticks around through Thursday.
Purdue basketball to play in-state opponent in exhibition game
Purdue men's basketball will play Purdue Fort Wayne in an exhibition game on Thursday, October 22, the teams announced on Tuesday.
Hacked devices overtake scams for how most adults become identity theft victims
A new report shows identity crimes have evolved from isolated incidents into "multi-layered" crises, with 26% of victims now managing two or more concurrent incidents, up from 24% the previous year.