Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett. Indiana Dept. of Education

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana’s public education chief – ousted from office in the November general election – may be getting a similar gig in Florida.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, a Republican, was defeated by Democrat Glenda Ritz in the November 6 election. The Indianapolis Star reports that Bennett has applied to become the Florida Commissioner of Education.

“The Sunshine State’s consistent commitment to providing all students a top-notch education is impressive and inspiring. I look forward to participating in the next stages of this process,” Bennett said in a statement.

Unlike Indiana, where the state superintendent position is elected, Florida appoints its education commissioner through the State Board of Education. The board is scheduled to interview finalists on December 11 and could select a new commissioner soon afterwards.

Bennett was unpopular with many educators in Indiana because of his record of reforms with charter schools, evaluations, and the nation’s fastest-growing school voucher program.

Ritz takes the head position at the Indiana Department of Education in January.

LINKS:

Democrat Ritz Elected Ind. State Superintendent

Ind. School Grades Mixed Through SEI

State Superintendent Candidate Touts Change