Ethics concerns prompt IPS to drop plan to purchase testing software

Indianapolis Public Schools officials have killed a proposal to purchase testing software from a company owned by a district administrator due to conflict-of-interest concerns.

If the district had gone forward with the plan, Vimme Learning would likely have received thousands in state dollars to provide tests to IPS schools. The money would have flowed from a $12 million-a-year grant program that allows school districts to choose their own testing provider.

Following questions by IndyStar in June, IPS pulled the item from the School Board’s agenda. After delaying action again at July’s board meeting, district leaders determined Tammy Laughner’s dual role as an IPS employee and CEO of Vimme Learning presented too much of a conflict for her to receive state funding.

IPS Board President Mary Ann Sullivan said some district officials were concerned that Laughner publicly declaring her ownership in the company wasn't enough.

The schools interested in using Vimme Learning were the ones Laughner oversaw through the Project Restore program, a turnaround model for struggling district schools.

“We would want to make sure there was no implied bias or anything like that because of a supervisor,” Sullivan told IndyStar last week.

Zach Mulholland, administrator for the IPS School Board, said Laughner’s role as Project Restore coordinator “was so entangled” with implementing the tests that “it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to separate those two functions.”

A representative from the company told IndyStar on Friday that Laughner will now offer her program to IPS schools for free — as has essentially been the case for two years. He said the company was “somewhat disappointed” in IPS’ decision.

“I could argue very strongly that the funds that we would receive for Vimme are for research and development and additional capacity to provide for students,” said James Miller, an investor.

But Miller said he also understands the argument that the additional funds for research could be seen as increasing the value of Vimme.

This school year Laughner had hoped to charge full price for the program sold by her company. The increased rate had followed the firm’s approval as a vendor under the state grant program that pays for tests students take to prepare for the ISTEP.

Laughner allowed the district to use the program for $1 last year. The previous year she provided the program for free because it was still in development. If approved by IPS for this year, the state would have provided funding on a per student basis. Laughner said Vimme would cost about $8 per student.

Laughner said the software was developed on her own time and outside of her work as an IPS administrator. But she did contract with some of the district’s teachers to help her write curriculum.

School officials agree that Vimme works. The software allows teachers to routinely test their classes and create quizzes and homework assignments tailored to students’ needs.

IPS Superintendent Lewis Ferebee has called Vimme a “great resource” that gives teachers quick feedback on where students stand.

Students who have attended IPS schools using Vimme have shown some of the highest academic gains in the district, Laughner said.

“I want to impact more kids, that’s what I’m about,” Laughner said. “I know this works, and I’ve watched it work. I want to get it in front of more children.”

Laughner said she plans to leave the district after this school year to focus on Vimme full time. Other school districts have expressed interest, and last year, Trinity Lutheran School in Indianapolis used the product.

Through the state grant program, school districts now have more freedom in the vendor they use to provide interim tests that students take throughout the year. Other companies school districts use include NWEA, McGraw Hill Education and Pearson.

Call IndyStar reporter Chelsea Schneider at (317) 444-6077. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyStarChelsea.