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
-
Residents outside Cicero say lack of voting rights limits their voice
Development is booming across Hamilton County, but Griffin and his neighbors say they have limited power to stop it.Local restaurants share concerns over proposed AES rate increase
Local restaurants across Indianapolis are sharing their concerns about the new rate hike proposed by AES.Volunteers needed for Indianapolis neighborhood cleanup on near northwest side
Volunteers needed for Indianapolis neighborhood cleanup today 9 a.m.-noon on Roache Street. Registration required online.Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting in Decatur County
Indiana State Police say a suspect was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Decatur County near Greensburg on Wednesday afternoon.