LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6258 NOTE PREPARED: Nov 14, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 35 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: School Curriculum.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Leising BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill requires each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited
nonpublic elementary school to include print handwriting, cursive handwriting, and spelling in its curriculum.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Currently, public schools may offer cursive as an optional subject
area, but it is not required. Handwriting and spelling instruction are not currently required in curricula past
grades 3 and 4, respectively. Requiring that cursive, print handwriting and spelling be included in school
curricula to the degree specified by this bill should not increase school expenditures, but may cause schools
to adjust the amount of time spent on other areas of instruction. A short-term workload increase is also likely
as schools adjust curricula in order to meet the requirements of this bill. The bill’s requirements should be
able to be implemented with no additional appropriations.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Public schools.
Information Sources: Indiana Department of Education Website:
https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/englishlanguage-arts/
Fiscal Analyst: Austin Spears, 317-234-9454.
SB 35 1