*HB1499.1*
February 13, 2025
HOUSE BILL No. 1499
_____
DIGEST OF HB 1499 (Updated February 12, 2025 1:13 pm - DI 110)
Citations Affected: IC 20-28; IC 20-30; IC 20-32; IC 21-16.
Synopsis: Education matters. Requires the state board of education to
incorporate oral language development as a core component of certain
literacy endorsements. Provides that certain students have the
opportunity to retake the determinant evaluation of reading skills at
least twice in the summer before grade 3 retention requirements apply.
Requires the department of education to establish a registration process
for schools to exempt certain English language learners from
compliance with grade 3 retention requirements until the beginning of
the 2027-2028 school year. Allows required career fairs to be held off
of school property if the school provides transportation. Amends
agreement requirements with regard to the employment aid readiness
network (EARN) Indiana program. Makes a technical correction.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Behning, McGuire, Teshka, Klinker
January 21, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
February 13, 2025, amended, reported — Do Pass.
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 February 13, 2025
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1499
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 20-28-5-19.7, AS AMENDED BY THE
2 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL OF THE 2025 GENERAL
3 ASSEMBLY, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
4 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 19.7. (a) Not later than July 1, 2024, the state
5 board shall establish and require a literacy endorsement for individuals
6 first licensed after June 30, 2025, to teach a content area involving
7 literacy instruction, including special education, in prekindergarten
8 through grade 5.
9 (b) Except as provided in section 19.8(a) 19.8 of this chapter,
10 beginning July 1, 2027, the department may not renew a practitioner
11 license or an accomplished practitioner license, or a comparable license
12 under prior rules, issued to an individual who, based on the content
13 area for which the individual is licensed, including special education,
14 provides literacy instruction to students in prekindergarten through
15 grade 5 unless the individual receives a literacy endorsement under this
16 section.
17 (c) To be eligible to receive a literacy endorsement, an individual
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 2
1 must meet the following:
2 (1) Complete eighty (80) hours of evidence based professional
3 development that is:
4 (A) aligned to the science of reading;
5 (B) provided by an organization that is:
6 (i) accredited by the International Dyslexia Association; or
7 (ii) aligned with Knowledge and Practice Standards for
8 Teachers of Reading (KPS) as determined by the
9 department; or
10 (C) approved by the department.
11 (2) Demonstrate proficiency in scientifically based reading
12 instruction skills aligned to the science of reading on a written
13 examination or through other procedures prescribed by the
14 department in accordance with this section.
15 (d) The eighty (80) hours of evidence based professional
16 development required under subsection (c)(1) must provide
17 individualized and on demand support. The evidence based
18 professional development required under subsection (c)(1) must:
19 (1) promote explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction as the
20 primary approach to literacy instruction;
21 (2) align with both word recognition and language
22 comprehension;
23 (3) promote an understanding of how language, reading, and
24 writing relate to each other;
25 (4) promote strategies for differentiated instruction for:
26 (A) students with:
27 (i) reading difficulties; or
28 (ii) disabilities; and
29 (B) English language learners;
30 (5) focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary,
31 and comprehension; and
32 (6) allow participants to implement the strategies into a classroom
33 environment with the opportunity for feedback throughout the
34 professional development experience.
35 (e) The written examination required under subsection (c)(2) shall
36 ensure the individual demonstrates the ability to:
37 (1) effectively teach foundational reading skills, phonemic
38 awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;
39 (2) implement reading instruction using high quality instructional
40 materials aligned to the science of reading; and
41 (3) provide effective instruction and interventions for students
42 with reading deficiencies.
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 3
1 (f) The department shall approve and provide the evidence based
2 professional development necessary for an individual to receive a
3 literacy endorsement under this section.
4 (g) The department shall establish the procedure for an existing
5 teacher to add the literacy endorsement established under this section
6 to the teacher's license.
7 (h) The state board shall incorporate oral language development
8 as a core component of the literacy endorsement described in this
9 section for an individual who provides literacy instruction to
10 students in kindergarten through grade 5.
11 (h) (i) The state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to do the
12 following:
13 (1) Adopt, validate, and implement the examination or other
14 procedures required by subsection (c)(2).
15 (2) Establish examination scores indicating proficiency.
16 (3) Otherwise carry out the purposes of this section.
17 SECTION 2. IC 20-30-5.6-8, AS ADDED BY P.L.202-2023,
18 SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
19 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) During each school year, a school that is a
20 high school must hold, during regular school hours, at least one (1)
21 career fair.
22 (b) A school may satisfy the requirement of this section by hosting
23 or participating in a:
24 (1) joint career fair involving at least one (1) other school if
25 transportation to the joint career fair; or
26 (2) career fair that is not on school property if transportation
27 to the career fair;
28 is provided to every student in grade 11 and grade 12.
29 SECTION 3. IC 20-32-8.5-2, AS AMENDED BY THE
30 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL OF THE 2025 GENERAL
31 ASSEMBLY, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
32 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the
33 plan required by this chapter must include the following:
34 (1) Reading skill standards for grade 1 through grade 3.
35 (2) A method for making determinant evaluations by grade 3 that
36 remedial action is required for a student, including:
37 (A) except as provided in subsections (c) and (g), beginning
38 with evaluations administered during the 2024-2025 school
39 year, and except as provided in subsection (c), retention of the
40 student in grade 3 if the student has not achieved a passing
41 score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved
42 by the state board after the student has had an opportunity to
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 4
1 retake the determinant evaluation at least twice in the
2 summer; and
3 (B) the use of curricular materials and supplemental materials
4 aligned to the science of reading that are designed to address
5 deficiencies in reading;
6 after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used,
7 or both, if reading skills are below the standard. Appropriate
8 consultation with parents or guardians must be part of the plan.
9 (3) A requirement that schools notify a student's parent of the
10 following:
11 (A) The student's assessment results regarding skill level in:
12 (i) phonemic awareness;
13 (ii) phonics;
14 (iii) fluency;
15 (iv) vocabulary; and
16 (v) comprehension.
17 (B) The student's assessment results on the determinant
18 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board.
19 (C) Any intervention provided to the student or any remedial
20 action taken.
21 (4) A requirement that schools monitor the progress of students
22 who failed to achieve a valid passing score on the:
23 (A) determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
24 state board; or
25 (B) statewide assessment program test.
26 (5) A requirement that schools provide reading instruction that
27 includes a core reading program aligned with the science of
28 reading to all students in kindergarten through grade 8.
29 (6) A requirement for the administration of the determinant
30 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board to
31 students in grade 2.
32 (7) A requirement that all students take the determinant
33 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board until the
34 student:
35 (A) receives a passing score, regardless of the student's grade
36 level; or
37 (B) enters grade 7.
38 (8) A requirement that a school report the following to the
39 department:
40 (A) The literacy interventions that will be used for students in
41 grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient and
42 students in grade 3 who do not achieve a valid passing score
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 5
1 on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
2 the state board.
3 (B) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
4 plan for students in grade 2 who are at risk of not being
5 reading proficient and students in grade 3 who do not achieve
6 a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading
7 skills approved by the state board.
8 (C) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
9 plan for students who do not achieve a valid passing score on
10 the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
11 state board.
12 (D) The number of students being served by the interventions
13 described in clauses (B) and (C).
14 (E) The cost of providing the interventions described in
15 clauses (B) and (C).
16 (F) Any other information requested by the department.
17 (9) Requirements for a school in which fewer than seventy
18 percent (70%) of students of the school achieved a valid passing
19 score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
20 the state board that must include the following:
21 (A) Use of curriculum that is:
22 (i) based on the science of reading; and
23 (ii) approved by the department.
24 (B) Employment of the following:
25 (i) Before July 1, 2025, an instructional coach who is trained
26 in the science of reading, as determined by the department.
27 This item expires January 1, 2026.
28 (ii) After June 30, 2025, an instructional coach with a
29 literacy related endorsement who is trained in the science of
30 reading.
31 (C) Use of only benchmark, formative, interim, or similar
32 assessments that:
33 (i) show alignment with Indiana's academic standards; and
34 (ii) are approved by the department.
35 (D) Use of a screener procured under IC 20-32-5.1-17(j).
36 (10) The fiscal impact of each component of the plan, if any. In
37 determining whether a component has a fiscal impact,
38 consideration shall be given to whether the component will
39 increase costs to the state or a school corporation or require the
40 state or school corporation to reallocate resources.
41 (b) A school may receive a waiver of the requirements provided in
42 511 IAC 6.2-3.1-4(a)(2) if the state board approves an alternative
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 6
1 reading plan provided by the school.
2 (c) Except as approved by the department under subsection (g),
3 a student who would otherwise be subject to retention in grade 3 under
4 the plan is not subject to the retention requirement only if the student
5 meets one (1) of the following criteria:
6 (1) The student was subject to retention and has been retained in
7 grade 3 for one (1) school year.
8 (2) The student has an intellectual disability or the student's
9 individualized education program specifies that retention is not
10 appropriate, and the student's case conference committee has
11 determined that promotion to another grade is appropriate.
12 (3) The student is an English learner who has received services
13 for fewer than two (2) years and a committee consisting of:
14 (A) the student's parent;
15 (B) a building level administrator or designee;
16 (C) a classroom teacher of service;
17 (D) an English learner teacher of record, if one exists; and
18 (E) an English learner district administrator, if one exists;
19 determines that promotion is appropriate based on the
20 implementation of research based instructional practices outlined
21 in the student's individual learning plan.
22 (4) The student received a score of proficient or above proficient
23 in grade 3 math on the statewide summative assessment.
24 (5) The student:
25 (A) has received intensive intervention as determined by the
26 department in reading for two (2) or more years; and
27 (B) was retained more than one (1) time throughout
28 kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 2.
29 (d) A student who is not subject to the retention requirement as
30 provided under subsection (c) must be provided with additional
31 reading instruction that is aligned with the science of reading until the
32 student achieves a passing score on the determinant evaluation of
33 reading skills approved by the state board.
34 (e) This subsection applies after June 30, 2024. Before October 1 of
35 each school year, the department shall:
36 (1) identify each incoming student (as defined in section 0.7 of
37 this chapter) enrolled in kindergarten in a school in Indiana; and
38 (2) notify the parent or guardian of the student of the retention
39 requirement under this chapter for grade 3 students who do not
40 achieve a passing score on the Indiana reading evaluation and
41 determination (IRead3).
42 (f) The department shall establish a standard reporting process and
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 7
1 reporting window for schools to report students who qualify for an
2 exemption under subsection (c).
3 (g) The department shall establish a registration process for
4 schools to exempt an English language learner who:
5 (1) does not achieve a passing score on the determinant
6 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board; and
7 (2) attends a school that has a student population comprised
8 of at least fifty percent (50%) of English language learners, as
9 determined by the department;
10 from compliance with the requirements under subsection (a)(2)(A)
11 until the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. This subsection
12 expires July 1, 2028.
13 SECTION 4. IC 21-16-2-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.37-2020,
14 SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
15 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. An agreement entered into under this chapter
16 must:
17 (1) provide for employment by the eligible employer of eligible
18 students and eligible secondary school students:
19 (A) for a minimum average of twelve (12) ten (10) hours per
20 week; and
21 (B) a maximum average of:
22 (i) twenty (20) hours per week, if the student is enrolled in
23 courses at the time of employment; or
24 (ii) forty (40) hours per week if the employment occurs
25 during the summer term;
26 (2) provide for the reimbursement, to the extent possible under
27 the then current biennial appropriation, by the state to the
28 employer of at least fifty percent (50%) of the federal minimum
29 hourly wage for each hour worked by the student for the
30 employer;
31 (3) provide that any work performed by a student under this
32 chapter must not result in the displacement of employed workers
33 or impair existing contracts for services;
34 (4) provide that any work performed by a student under this
35 chapter shall not involve any partisan or nonpartisan political or
36 sectarian activities;
37 (5) provide that wage rates must be established by the eligible
38 employer, but must not be less than the current federal minimum
39 wage rate; and
40 (6) contain any other provisions necessary to carry out this
41 chapter.
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 8
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Education, to which was referred
House Bill 1499, has had the same under consideration and begs leave
to report the same back to the House with the recommendation that said
bill be amended as follows:
Page 1, delete lines 1 through 17.
Page 2, delete lines 1 through 5.
Page 3, between lines 38 and 39, begin a new paragraph and insert:
"SECTION 2. IC 20-30-5.6-8, AS ADDED BY P.L.202-2023,
SECTION 20, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) During each school year, a school that is a
high school must hold, during regular school hours, at least one (1)
career fair.
(b) A school may satisfy the requirement of this section by hosting
or participating in a:
(1) joint career fair involving at least one (1) other school if
transportation to the joint career fair; or
(2) career fair that is not on school property if transportation
to the career fair;
is provided to every student in grade 11 and grade 12.".
Page 7, delete lines 13 through 18, begin a new paragraph and
insert:
"(g) The department shall establish a registration process for
schools to exempt an English language learner who:
(1) does not achieve a passing score on the determinant
evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board; and
(2) attends a school that has a student population comprised
of at least fifty percent (50%) of English language learners, as
determined by the department;
from compliance with the requirements under subsection (a)(2)(A)
until the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. This subsection
expires July 1, 2028.
SECTION 4. IC 21-16-2-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.37-2020,
SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. An agreement entered into under this chapter
must:
(1) provide for employment by the eligible employer of eligible
students and eligible secondary school students:
(A) for a minimum average of twelve (12) ten (10) hours per
week; and
(B) a maximum average of:
(i) twenty (20) hours per week, if the student is enrolled in
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143 9
courses at the time of employment; or
(ii) forty (40) hours per week if the employment occurs
during the summer term;
(2) provide for the reimbursement, to the extent possible under
the then current biennial appropriation, by the state to the
employer of at least fifty percent (50%) of the federal minimum
hourly wage for each hour worked by the student for the
employer;
(3) provide that any work performed by a student under this
chapter must not result in the displacement of employed workers
or impair existing contracts for services;
(4) provide that any work performed by a student under this
chapter shall not involve any partisan or nonpartisan political or
sectarian activities;
(5) provide that wage rates must be established by the eligible
employer, but must not be less than the current federal minimum
wage rate; and
(6) contain any other provisions necessary to carry out this
chapter.".
Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
and when so amended that said bill do pass.
(Reference is to HB 1499 as introduced.)
BEHNING
Committee Vote: yeas 11, nays 0.
HB 1499—LS 7477/DI 143