INDIANAPOLIS (WLFI) -- The State Superintendent is announcing her 2020 legislative agenda.
Jennifer McCormick said although it's not a budget year, work needs to be done to help teachers and students all around the state.
She along with State Rep Sheila Klinker told News 18 their thoughts during Tuesday's Red for Ed rally.
"We are not asking for the moon nor are the teachers here," said McCormick.
More than 15,000 teachers, bus drivers, custodians, students and parents lined the streets of downtown Indianapolis outside the state capitol.
"We are here asking for the basic foundations that makes an education system great in turn makes a state great," said McCormick.
McCormick said her legislative agenda lays out three priorities:
Schools need adequate and equitable funding. There needs to be flexibility in professional development so it is meaningful and there must be fair accountability for educators and schools.
"Our students deserve every bit of this advocacy that you see," said McCormick.
"I've never seen anything like this before," said State Rep. Sheila Klinker. "I'm hoping this will really carry a lot of weight with our leadership."
Leadership starts with those in politics. McCormick said that and she said education looks different around the state.
"Indiana is very diverse," said McCormick. "The needs in Gary, Indiana the needs in Cass County, the needs in Vigo County are very different than Marion county and we need to be cognizant of that."
The legislative priorities also include student learning, school improvement and operational effectiveness.
"Talk is easy," said McCormick. "Talk is cheap. Let's see actions."
Actions started Tuesday with Organization Day at the state capitol but McCormick said it's not good enough.
"We are again not asking for the moon," said McCormick. "We are asking for what our students and schools deserve to operate efficiently."
More than 140 school districts across the state were closed Tuesday for the Red for Ed Rally.
McCormick supported those who were in attendance at the state house.
