Lieutenant Governor visits South Bend

Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermannn visited South Bend Wednesday, and is keeping tight-lipped about if she’ll be on Governor Mike Pence’s reelection ticket next fall.

Ellspermann spent Wednesday morning touring the YWCA of North Central Indiana and St. Margret's House.

YWCA CEO Linda Becklee and Ellspermann spoke about the ways the state government can continue to help fund the organization. 

As for if Ellspermann sees herself running with Pence for next year’s gubernatorial election, she says that’s the governor’s decision.

“Well, that is the governor’s choice on things, but certainly we’ve had a good three years together and certainly, I look forward to him being reelected in this next round,” said Ellspermann.

While the lieutenant governor was in South Bend, she also talked about the Indiana's State Board of Education's vote Wednesday morning.

The board voted to set the state's passing and failing scores for student testing.

According to Indiana Public Media, the percentage of students who passed the 2014 ISTEP will dramatically decline due to more rigorous standards.

Prior to Wednesday's vote, Ellsperman said it is important to keep those standards high to ensure all children are getting the education they need to be successful. 

"I am married to a principal of a high school, so I think it was very important.  I think the governor made very clear that we have higher standards: we have a new test.  Let's make sure that we don't hold teachers accountable for something outside their control," said Ellspermann.

She also went on to say even though teachers shouldn't be held accountable for the new developments, it's unclear whether student performance will determine school and teacher rankings.