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Indiana Senate Bill SB0373

Indiana 2025 Regular Session

Indiana Senate Bill SB0373 Compare Versions

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1-*ES0373.2*
2-Reprinted
3-April 15, 2025
1+*ES0373.1*
2+April 9, 2025
43 ENGROSSED
54 SENATE BILL No. 373
65 _____
7-DIGEST OF SB 373 (Updated April 14, 2025 4:06 pm - DI 110)
6+DIGEST OF SB 373 (Updated April 9, 2025 1:12 pm - DI 110)
87 Citations Affected: IC 20-19; IC 20-20; IC 20-25; IC 20-27;
98 IC 20-28; IC 20-30; IC 20-32; IC 20-35.
109 Synopsis: Various education matters. Provides that the department of
1110 education (department) is designated as the proper authority to accept
1211 federal funds appropriated to aid in the education of children with
1312 disabilities (current law provides that the state board of education (state
1413 board) is the proper authority). Establishes a three school year: (1)
1514 centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) student
1615 transportation pilot program. Allows: (1) not more than three
1716 applications, as selected by the department, to participate in the
1817 centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) not more than three
18+applications, as selected by the department, to participate in the student
19+transportation pilot program. Establishes a: (1) local centralized school
20+facilities board; and (2) local student transportation board; for
21+participating school corporations and schools and grants the local
22+boards certain powers and duties. Allows school corporations and
23+schools to opt out of the pilot programs by providing a one year notice.
24+Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation
25+with the department, to prepare and submit reports that include certain
1926 (Continued next page)
2027 Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2025.
2128 Raatz, Rogers
2229 (HOUSE SPONSOR — BEHNING)
2330 January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
2431 Development.
2532 January 23, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
2633 January 27, 2025, read second time, ordered engrossed. Engrossed.
2734 January 28, 2025, read third time, passed. Yeas 49, nays 0.
2835 HOUSE ACTION
2936 March 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
3037 April 9, 2025, amended, reported — Do Pass.
31-April 14, 2025, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
3238 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 Digest Continued
33-applications, as selected by the department, to participate in the student
34-transportation pilot program. Establishes a: (1) local centralized school
35-facilities board; and (2) local student transportation board; for
36-participating school corporations and schools and grants the local
37-boards certain powers and duties. Allows school corporations and
38-schools to opt out of the pilot programs by providing a one year notice.
39-Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation
40-with the department, to prepare and submit reports that include certain
4139 recommendations. Establishes a mastery based education pilot program
4240 administered by the department. Provides that school corporations and
4341 charter schools may apply to participate in the mastery based education
4442 pilot program. Establishes the Indianapolis local education alliance and
4543 requires the alliance to conduct a school facilities assessment and
4644 establish a school facilities and transportation implementation plan.
4745 Provides that the evaluation process for certain curricular materials
4846 must include the age appropriateness of the content. Removes the
4947 member of the Indiana Transportation Association from the list of
5048 nonvoting members on the state school bus committee. Provides that
5149 an individual seeking an initial practitioners license through an
5250 alternative certification path must successfully complete an applicable
5351 teacher licensing exam as approved by the state board (current law
5452 requires the successful completion of a Praxis Subject Assessment).
5553 Provides that summer school funding may be differentiated based on
5654 the course and length of time of the summer school program. Moves
5755 the establishment of the division of special education from the state
5856 board to the department. Changes certain duties for the secretary of
5957 education and the director of special education.
60-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 Reprinted
61-April 15, 2025
58+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 April 9, 2025
6259 First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
6360 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
6461 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
6562 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
6663 Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
6764 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
6865 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
6966 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
7067 Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
7168 between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
7269 ENGROSSED
7370 SENATE BILL No. 373
7471 A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
7572 education.
7673 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
7774 1 SECTION 1. IC 20-19-2-16, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005,
7875 2 SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
7976 3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 16. (a) The state accepts the provisions and
8077 4 benefits of laws enacted by the Congress of the United States that
8178 5 provide for aid to children with disabilities.
8279 6 (b) The state board department is designated as the proper
8380 7 authority and may accept any federal funds appropriated to aid in the
8481 8 education of children with disabilities. The state board department
8582 9 shall comply with all the requirements of:
8683 10 (1) federal law concerning any federal funds relating to special
8784 11 educational activities; and
8885 12 (2) any amendments to those laws or rules and regulations issued
8986 13 under and in conformity with those laws and not inconsistent with
9087 14 this chapter.
9188 15 SECTION 2. IC 20-20-5.5-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.245-2023,
9289 16 SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
9390 17 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Not later than July 1 2024, and each July 1
9491 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 2
9592 1 thereafter, of each year, the department shall evaluate, approve, and
9693 2 publish a list of high quality curricular materials for use in the
9794 3 following subjects:
9895 4 (1) Science.
9996 5 (2) Technology.
10097 6 (3) Engineering.
10198 7 (4) Math.
10299 8 The department shall post the list approved under this subsection on
103100 9 the department's website.
104101 10 (b) Subject to subsection (g), the department shall determine the:
105102 11 (1) process for evaluating and approving curricular materials
106103 12 under subsection (a); and
107104 13 (2) requirements for curricular materials to be approved and
108105 14 included on the list described in subsection (a).
109106 15 (c) The department shall publish an annual report that describes the
110107 16 method used to conduct the evaluation required under subsection (a)
111108 17 and that contains the results of the evaluation. The report must do the
112109 18 following:
113110 19 (1) Provide a list of each curricular material evaluated and a
114111 20 summary of the evaluation for each curricular material.
115112 21 (2) Provide a listing and summary review for the high quality
116113 22 curricular materials approved by the department.
117114 23 (3) Include any clarification or response from the publisher of a
118115 24 curricular material related to the department's summary review
119116 25 provided under subdivision (2).
120117 26 (4) Include the written, exact, and standard statewide price
121118 27 provided by the publisher of the curricular material under
122119 28 subsection (e) for each high quality curricular material approved
123120 29 by the department under this section.
124121 30 (d) A governing body and superintendent may use the list approved
125122 31 under subsection (a) in complying with IC 20-26-12-24.
126123 32 (e) Before the department may approve curricular material for
127124 33 inclusion on the list under subsection (a), the publisher of the curricular
128125 34 material must:
129126 35 (1) provide the department a written, exact, and standard
130127 36 statewide price for each curricular material; and
131128 37 (2) enter into a data share agreement with the department in the
132129 38 manner prescribed by the department.
133130 39 (f) A publisher may request that an update to the publisher's
134131 40 curricular materials and corresponding prices replace the information
135132 41 on the curricular materials set forth in the report under subsection (c).
136133 42 (g) At a minimum, the process for evaluating curricular materials
137134 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 3
138135 1 and the requirements for curricular materials to be approved and
139136 2 included on the list described in subsection (a) must include the
140137 3 following:
141138 4 (1) The availability and use of benchmark, formative, interim, or
142139 5 similar assessments to identify students that require remediation
143140 6 and provide individualized instruction.
144141 7 (2) The incorporation of experiential learning opportunities.
145142 8 (3) An evaluation of the benchmark, formative, interim, or similar
146143 9 assessment data provided by the publisher of the curricular
147144 10 material pursuant to the data share agreement described in
148145 11 subsection (e).
149146 12 (4) The alignment of the curricular material to Indiana's academic
150147 13 standards developed by the department under IC 20-31-3-2.
151148 14 (5) The age appropriateness of the content.
152149 15 (h) Not later than July 1, 2024, the department shall conduct a
153150 16 statewide survey to determine which curricular materials have been
154151 17 adopted for use in teaching science, technology, engineering, and
155152 18 mathematics in each state accredited school. Each state accredited
156153 19 school shall:
157154 20 (1) participate in the statewide survey conducted under this
158155 21 subsection; and
159156 22 (2) provide the information requested by the department as part
160157 23 of the statewide survey;
161158 24 in the manner prescribed by the department. This subsection expires
162159 25 January 1, 2025.
163160 26 SECTION 3. IC 20-20-52 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
164161 27 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
165162 28 JULY 1, 2025]:
166163 29 Chapter 52. Centralized School Facilities Pilot Program and
167164 30 Local Boards
168165 31 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local board" refers to a:
169166 32 (1) local centralized school facilities board established under
170167 33 section 6(a) of this chapter; or
171168 34 (2) if applicable, local centralized school facilities and
172169 35 transportation board established under section 6(e) of this
173170 36 chapter.
174171 37 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" means the
175172 38 centralized school facilities pilot program established by section 4
176173 39 of this chapter.
177174 40 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a:
178175 41 (1) charter school; or
179176 42 (2) nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee.
180177 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 4
181178 1 Sec. 4. (a) The centralized school facilities pilot program is
182179 2 established to provide innovative approaches concerning the use,
183180 3 operation, and management of school facilities to promote:
184181 4 (1) enhanced learning environments;
185182 5 (2) unique learning opportunities; and
186183 6 (3) improved student academic and health outcomes;
187184 7 in accordance with the plan submitted to the general assembly by
188185 8 the secretary of education under IC 20-19-3-32.
189186 9 (b) The pilot program is established for a three (3) year period
190187 10 consisting of the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school
191188 11 years.
192189 12 Sec. 5. (a) A school corporation or school, in partnership with
193190 13 other school corporations, schools, or both other school
194191 14 corporations and schools, may apply to the department to
195192 15 participate in the pilot program.
196193 16 (b) The department:
197194 17 (1) may approve not more than a total of three (3)
198195 18 applications under this section to participate in the pilot
199196 19 program; and
200197 20 (2) shall establish the application process and criteria to
201198 21 participate in the pilot program.
202199 22 (c) The criteria established under subsection (b)(2) must require
203200 23 that school corporations and schools include information
204201 24 concerning the geographic boundaries of the area to which the
205202 25 application to participate in the pilot program applies.
206203 26 Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided under subsection (e), not later
207204 27 than October 31, 2025, a local centralized school facilities board is
208205 28 established for participating school corporations and schools.
209206 29 (b) Each local board must be independent from any school
210207 30 corporation and school.
211208 31 (c) The local board consists of seven (7) members who:
212209 32 (1) are proportionately appointed as either representatives of
213210 33 participating school corporations, charter schools, or
214211 34 nonpublic schools described in section 3(2) of this chapter
215212 35 based on:
216213 36 (A) the total pupil enrollment of the participating school
217214 37 corporations;
218215 38 (B) the total pupil enrollment of participating charter
219216 39 schools; and
220217 40 (C) the total pupil enrollment of participating nonpublic
221218 41 schools;
222219 42 that are partnering under the pilot program; and
223220 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 5
224221 1 (2) are members of the:
225222 2 (A) governing body of a participating school corporation;
226223 3 (B) charter school board of a participating charter school;
227224 4 or
228225 5 (C) equivalent of a governing body for a participating
229226 6 nonpublic school;
230227 7 described in subdivision (1).
231228 8 (d) Each local board must collaborate with individuals or
232229 9 entities that have expertise in the following:
233230 10 (1) Facility management, construction, or real estate.
234231 11 (2) Public finance or public debt issuance.
235232 12 (3) Demographic analysis and urban planning.
236233 13 (4) Organizational effectiveness, operations management, and
237234 14 implementing best practices.
238235 15 (5) Government contracts.
239236 16 (6) Budget development and oversight.
240237 17 (e) If a school corporation or school, in partnership with other
241238 18 school corporations, schools, or both other school corporations and
242239 19 schools, receives approval to participate in the:
243240 20 (1) pilot program; and
244241 21 (2) student transportation pilot program under IC 20-20-53;
245242 22 the school corporation or schools may elect to establish, not later
246243 23 than October 31, 2025, one (1) local centralized school facilities and
247244 24 transportation board consisting of the members described in
248245 25 subsection (c) that has the powers and duties and is subject to the
249246 26 requirements of a local centralized school facilities board under
250247 27 this chapter and local student transportation board under
251248 28 IC 20-20-53.
252249 29 Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, each local
253250 30 board shall, during the pilot program, provide oversight and
254251 31 management of school facilities with a focus on best use and
255252 32 upkeep of assets funded by taxpayers.
256253 33 Sec. 8. (a) Each local board shall create and implement a pilot
257254 34 program plan that includes measures to:
258255 35 (1) determine the:
259256 36 (A) term lengths of the members; and
260257 37 (B) member replacement processes;
261258 38 for the local board;
262259 39 (2) conduct school facility assessments for all applicable
263260 40 school facilities;
264-41 (3) establish a process for the transfer to and receipt of funds,
265-42 as applicable, by the local board from the participating school
261+41 (3) implement a process to approve or deny any levy requests
262+42 related to capital expenditures;
266263 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 6
267-1 corporations and schools;
268-2 (4) accept and use donations, gifts, or bequests for the
269-3 purposes of this chapter;
270-4 (5) improve the health and safety of students and teachers;
271-5 (6) allow for additional flexibility and creativity in terms of
272-6 what is considered a school facility, including considerations
273-7 surrounding colocation with other schools, governmental
274-8 entities, or community organizations;
275-9 (7) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
276-10 agreements for all school facilities within the geographic
277-11 boundaries described in the application under section 5(c) of
278-12 this chapter for the three (3) year period of the pilot program;
279-13 (8) address any existing excess capacity in school facilities;
280-14 (9) inspire opportunities for partnership with other
281-15 governmental entities or local nonprofit organizations to
282-16 transform school facilities into broader community assets for
283-17 residents;
284-18 (10) implement best practices in facilities management and
285-19 operations;
286-20 (11) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
287-21 success of the pilot program;
288-22 (12) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
289-23 department regarding school facilities included in the pilot
290-24 program;
291-25 (13) manage any school facility related debt for the duration
292-26 of the pilot program; and
293-27 (14) implement a maintenance plan and contract with
294-28 vendors, as needed, for the duration of the pilot program.
295-29 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
296-30 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
297-31 includes the following:
298-32 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
299-33 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
300-34 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
301-35 and
302-36 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
303-37 should be maintained or a new local board should be
304-38 established.
305-39 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
306-40 components:
307-41 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
308-42 including the appointing authority for the members.
264+1 (4) implement a process to receive and distribute tax revenue,
265+2 as needed;
266+3 (5) improve the health and safety of students and teachers;
267+4 (6) allow for additional flexibility and creativity in terms of
268+5 what is considered a school facility, including considerations
269+6 surrounding colocation with other schools, governmental
270+7 entities, or community organizations;
271+8 (7) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
272+9 agreements for all school facilities within the geographic
273+10 boundaries described in the application under section 5(c) of
274+11 this chapter for the three (3) year period of the pilot program;
275+12 (8) address any existing excess capacity in school facilities;
276+13 (9) inspire opportunities for partnership with other
277+14 governmental entities or local nonprofit organizations to
278+15 transform school facilities into broader community assets for
279+16 residents;
280+17 (10) implement best practices in facilities management and
281+18 operations;
282+19 (11) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
283+20 success of the pilot program;
284+21 (12) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
285+22 department regarding school facilities included in the pilot
286+23 program;
287+24 (13) manage any school facility related debt for the duration
288+25 of the pilot program; and
289+26 (14) implement a maintenance plan and contract with
290+27 vendors, as needed, for the duration of the pilot program.
291+28 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
292+29 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
293+30 includes the following:
294+31 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
295+32 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
296+33 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
297+34 and
298+35 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
299+36 should be maintained or a new local board should be
300+37 established.
301+38 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
302+39 components:
303+40 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
304+41 including the appointing authority for the members.
305+42 (B) The term lengths of the members.
309306 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 7
310-1 (B) The term lengths of the members.
311-2 (C) The member replacement process.
312-3 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
313-4 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
314-5 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
315-6 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
316-7 school facilities to the local board or new local board.
317-8 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
318-9 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
319-10 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
320-11 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
321-12 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
322-13 section 6 of this chapter:
323-14 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
324-15 the pilot program plan created under section 8(a) of this
325-16 chapter; and
326-17 (2) shall make recommendations regarding property tax levies
327-18 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
328-19 participating school corporations.
329-20 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside individuals
330-21 and entities to create and implement the pilot program plan
331-22 described in section 8(a) of this chapter.
332-23 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
333-24 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
334-25 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
335-26 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
336-27 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
337-28 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
338-29 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
339-30 participation under this chapter.
340-31 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
341-32 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
342-33 shall do the following:
343-34 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
344-35 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
345-36 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
346-37 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
347-38 chapter.
348-39 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
349-40 format under IC 5-14-6.
350-41 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
351-42 do the following:
307+1 (C) The member replacement process.
308+2 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
309+3 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
310+4 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
311+5 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
312+6 school facilities to the local board or new local board.
313+7 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
314+8 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
315+9 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
316+10 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
317+11 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
318+12 section 6 of this chapter:
319+13 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
320+14 this chapter; and
321+15 (2) has the authority to approve or deny any property tax levy
322+16 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
323+17 participating school corporations.
324+18 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside individuals
325+19 and entities to create and implement the pilot program plan
326+20 described in section 8(a) of this chapter.
327+21 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
328+22 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
329+23 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
330+24 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
331+25 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
332+26 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
333+27 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
334+28 participation under this chapter.
335+29 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
336+30 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
337+31 shall do the following:
338+32 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
339+33 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
340+34 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
341+35 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
342+36 chapter.
343+37 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
344+38 format under IC 5-14-6.
345+39 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
346+40 do the following:
347+41 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
348+42 (A) A summary regarding the:
352349 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 8
353-1 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
354-2 (A) A summary regarding the:
355-3 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
356-4 pilot program;
357-5 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
358-6 board;
359-7 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
360-8 and
361-9 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
362-10 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
363-11 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
364-12 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
365-13 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
366-14 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
367-15 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
368-16 applicants.
369-17 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
370-18 statewide.
371-19 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
372-20 format under IC 5-14-6.
373-21 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
374-22 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
375-23 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
376-24 pilot program under this chapter.
377-25 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
378-26 purposes of this chapter.
379-27 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
380-28 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
381-29 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
382-30 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
383-31 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
384-32 SECTION 4. IC 20-20-53 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
385-33 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
386-34 JULY 1, 2025]:
387-35 Chapter 53. Student Transportation Pilot Program and Local
388-36 Boards
389-37 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local board" refers to a:
390-38 (1) local student transportation board established under
391-39 section 6(a) of this chapter; or
392-40 (2) if applicable, local centralized school facilities and
393-41 transportation board established under section 6(e) of this
350+1 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
351+2 pilot program;
352+3 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
353+4 board;
354+5 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
355+6 and
356+7 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
357+8 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
358+9 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
359+10 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
360+11 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
361+12 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
362+13 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
363+14 applicants.
364+15 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
365+16 statewide.
366+17 (2) Submit the plan to the legislative council in an electronic
367+18 format under IC 5-14-6.
368+19 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
369+20 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
370+21 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
371+22 pilot program under this chapter.
372+23 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
373+24 purposes of this chapter.
374+25 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
375+26 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
376+27 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
377+28 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
378+29 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
379+30 SECTION 4. IC 20-20-53 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
380+31 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
381+32 JULY 1, 2025]:
382+33 Chapter 53. Student Transportation Pilot Program and Local
383+34 Boards
384+35 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local board" refers to a:
385+36 (1) local student transportation board established under
386+37 section 6(a) of this chapter; or
387+38 (2) if applicable, local centralized school facilities and
388+39 transportation board established under section 6(e) of this
389+40 chapter.
390+41 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
391+42 student transportation pilot program established by section 4 of
392+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 9
393+1 this chapter.
394+2 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a:
395+3 (1) charter school; or
396+4 (2) nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee.
397+5 Sec. 4. (a) The student transportation pilot program is
398+6 established to provide transportation to all students attending:
399+7 (1) school corporations;
400+8 (2) charter schools; and
401+9 (3) nonpublic schools with at least one (1) employee;
402+10 within the geographic boundaries described in the application
403+11 under section 5(c) of this chapter.
404+12 (b) The pilot program is established for a three (3) year period
405+13 consisting of the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school
406+14 years.
407+15 Sec. 5. (a) A school corporation or school, in partnership with
408+16 other school corporations, schools, or both school corporations and
409+17 schools, may apply to the department to participate in the pilot
410+18 program.
411+19 (b) The department:
412+20 (1) may approve not more than a total of three (3)
413+21 applications under this section to participate in the pilot
414+22 program; and
415+23 (2) shall establish the application process and criteria to
416+24 participate in the pilot program.
417+25 (c) The criteria established under subsection (b)(2) must require
418+26 that school corporations and schools include information
419+27 concerning the geographic boundaries of the area to which the
420+28 application to participate in the pilot program applies.
421+29 Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided under subsection (e), not later
422+30 than October 31, 2025, a local student transportation board is
423+31 established for participating school corporations and schools.
424+32 (b) Each local board must be independent from any school
425+33 corporation and school.
426+34 (c) The local board consists of seven (7) members who:
427+35 (1) are proportionately appointed as either representatives of
428+36 participating school corporations, charter schools, or
429+37 nonpublic schools described in section 3(2) of this chapter
430+38 based on:
431+39 (A) the total pupil enrollment of the participating school
432+40 corporations;
433+41 (B) the total pupil enrollment of participating charter
434+42 schools; and
435+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 10
436+1 (C) the total pupil enrollment of participating nonpublic
437+2 schools;
438+3 that are partnering under the pilot program; and
439+4 (2) are members of the:
440+5 (A) governing body of a participating school corporation;
441+6 (B) charter school board of a participating charter school;
442+7 or
443+8 (C) equivalent of a governing body for a participating
444+9 nonpublic school;
445+10 described in subdivision (1).
446+11 (d) Each local board must collaborate with individuals or
447+12 entities that have expertise in the following:
448+13 (1) Transportation logistics, particularly involving movement
449+14 of passengers.
450+15 (2) Finance and business.
451+16 (3) Organizational effectiveness, operations management, and
452+17 implementing best practices.
453+18 (4) Government contracts.
454+19 (5) Budget development and oversight.
455+20 (e) If a school corporation or school, in partnership with other
456+21 school corporations, schools, or both other school corporations and
457+22 schools, receives approval to participate in the:
458+23 (1) pilot program; and
459+24 (2) centralized school facilities pilot program under
460+25 IC 20-20-52;
461+26 the school corporation or schools may elect to establish, not later
462+27 than October 31, 2025, one (1) local centralized school facilities and
463+28 transportation board that has the powers and duties and is subject
464+29 to the requirements of a local centralized school facilities board
465+30 under IC 20-20-52 and local student transportation board under
466+31 this chapter.
467+32 Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, each local
468+33 board shall be responsible for the oversight and management of the
469+34 transportation of students described in section 4 of this chapter in
470+35 a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the plan submitted
471+36 to the general assembly by the secretary of education under
472+37 IC 20-19-3-33.
473+38 Sec. 8. (a) Each local board shall create and implement a pilot
474+39 program plan that includes measures to:
475+40 (1) determine the:
476+41 (A) term lengths of the members; and
477+42 (B) member replacement processes;
478+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 11
479+1 for the local board;
480+2 (2) allow for additional flexibility and creativity to
481+3 accommodate student needs throughout the school day,
482+4 including transportation:
483+5 (A) to and from school;
484+6 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
485+7 (C) for work based learning experiences;
486+8 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
487+9 (E) for specialized educational opportunities;
488+10 (3) improve safety and efficiency for students;
489+11 (4) increase collaboration between school corporations,
490+12 schools, governmental entities, and community organizations;
491+13 (5) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
492+14 success of the pilot program;
493+15 (6) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
494+16 department regarding the pilot program;
495+17 (7) provide uninterrupted transportation services for
496+18 homeless students or students in foster care as provided by
497+19 the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
498+20 Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.);
499+21 (8) inspire opportunities for public-private partnerships or
500+22 partnerships with other governmental entities or local
501+23 nonprofit organizations;
502+24 (9) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
503+25 agreements with participating school corporations and
504+26 schools for the duration of the three (3) year period of the
505+27 pilot program;
506+28 (10) manage any transportation related debt for the three (3)
507+29 year period of the pilot program; and
508+30 (11) implement purchasing and maintenance plans and
509+31 contracts with vendors, as needed, for the three (3) year
510+32 period of the pilot program.
511+33 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
512+34 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
513+35 includes the following:
514+36 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
515+37 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
516+38 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
517+39 and
518+40 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
519+41 should be maintained or a new local board should be
520+42 established.
521+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 12
522+1 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
523+2 components:
524+3 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
525+4 including the appointing authority for the members.
526+5 (B) The term lengths of the members.
527+6 (C) The member replacement process.
528+7 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
529+8 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
530+9 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
531+10 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
532+11 school transportation to the local board or new local board.
533+12 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
534+13 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
535+14 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
536+15 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
537+16 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
538+17 section 6 of this chapter:
539+18 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
540+19 this chapter, including providing transportation services to
541+20 students described in section 4 of this chapter; and
542+21 (2) has the authority to approve or deny any property tax levy
543+22 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
544+23 participating school corporations.
545+24 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside entities to
546+25 create and implement the pilot program plan described in section
547+26 8(a) of this chapter.
548+27 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
549+28 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
550+29 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
551+30 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
552+31 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
553+32 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
554+33 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
555+34 participation under this chapter.
556+35 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
557+36 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
558+37 shall do the following:
559+38 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
560+39 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
561+40 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
562+41 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
394563 42 chapter.
395-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 9
396-1 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
397-2 student transportation pilot program established by section 4 of
398-3 this chapter.
399-4 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a:
400-5 (1) charter school; or
401-6 (2) nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee.
402-7 Sec. 4. (a) The student transportation pilot program is
403-8 established to provide transportation to all students attending:
404-9 (1) school corporations;
405-10 (2) charter schools; and
406-11 (3) nonpublic schools with at least one (1) employee;
407-12 within the geographic boundaries described in the application
408-13 under section 5(c) of this chapter.
409-14 (b) The pilot program is established for a three (3) year period
410-15 consisting of the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school
411-16 years.
412-17 Sec. 5. (a) A school corporation or school, in partnership with
413-18 other school corporations, schools, or both school corporations and
414-19 schools, may apply to the department to participate in the pilot
415-20 program.
416-21 (b) The department:
417-22 (1) may approve not more than a total of three (3)
418-23 applications under this section to participate in the pilot
419-24 program; and
420-25 (2) shall establish the application process and criteria to
421-26 participate in the pilot program.
422-27 (c) The criteria established under subsection (b)(2) must require
423-28 that school corporations and schools include information
424-29 concerning the geographic boundaries of the area to which the
425-30 application to participate in the pilot program applies.
426-31 Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided under subsection (e), not later
427-32 than October 31, 2025, a local student transportation board is
428-33 established for participating school corporations and schools.
429-34 (b) Each local board must be independent from any school
430-35 corporation and school.
431-36 (c) The local board consists of seven (7) members who:
432-37 (1) are proportionately appointed as either representatives of
433-38 participating school corporations, charter schools, or
434-39 nonpublic schools described in section 3(2) of this chapter
435-40 based on:
436-41 (A) the total pupil enrollment of the participating school
437-42 corporations;
438-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 10
439-1 (B) the total pupil enrollment of participating charter
440-2 schools; and
441-3 (C) the total pupil enrollment of participating nonpublic
442-4 schools;
443-5 that are partnering under the pilot program; and
444-6 (2) are members of the:
445-7 (A) governing body of a participating school corporation;
446-8 (B) charter school board of a participating charter school;
447-9 or
448-10 (C) equivalent of a governing body for a participating
449-11 nonpublic school;
450-12 described in subdivision (1).
451-13 (d) Each local board must collaborate with individuals or
452-14 entities that have expertise in the following:
453-15 (1) Transportation logistics, particularly involving movement
454-16 of passengers.
455-17 (2) Finance and business.
456-18 (3) Organizational effectiveness, operations management, and
457-19 implementing best practices.
458-20 (4) Government contracts.
459-21 (5) Budget development and oversight.
460-22 (e) If a school corporation or school, in partnership with other
461-23 school corporations, schools, or both other school corporations and
462-24 schools, receives approval to participate in the:
463-25 (1) pilot program; and
464-26 (2) centralized school facilities pilot program under
465-27 IC 20-20-52;
466-28 the school corporation or schools may elect to establish, not later
467-29 than October 31, 2025, one (1) local centralized school facilities and
468-30 transportation board that has the powers and duties and is subject
469-31 to the requirements of a local centralized school facilities board
470-32 under IC 20-20-52 and local student transportation board under
471-33 this chapter.
472-34 Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, each local
473-35 board shall be responsible for the oversight and management of the
474-36 transportation of students described in section 4 of this chapter in
475-37 a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the plan submitted
476-38 to the general assembly by the secretary of education under
477-39 IC 20-19-3-33.
478-40 Sec. 8. (a) Each local board shall create and implement a pilot
479-41 program plan that includes measures to:
480-42 (1) determine the:
481-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 11
482-1 (A) term lengths of the members; and
483-2 (B) member replacement processes;
484-3 for the local board;
485-4 (2) allow for additional flexibility and creativity to
486-5 accommodate student needs throughout the school day,
487-6 including transportation:
488-7 (A) to and from school;
489-8 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
490-9 (C) for work based learning experiences;
491-10 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
492-11 (E) for specialized educational opportunities;
493-12 (3) improve safety and efficiency for students;
494-13 (4) increase collaboration between school corporations,
495-14 schools, governmental entities, and community organizations;
496-15 (5) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
497-16 success of the pilot program;
498-17 (6) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
499-18 department regarding the pilot program;
500-19 (7) provide uninterrupted transportation services for
501-20 homeless students or students in foster care as provided by
502-21 the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
503-22 Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.);
504-23 (8) inspire opportunities for public-private partnerships or
505-24 partnerships with other governmental entities or local
506-25 nonprofit organizations;
507-26 (9) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
508-27 agreements with participating school corporations and
509-28 schools for the duration of the three (3) year period of the
510-29 pilot program;
511-30 (10) establish a process for the transfer to and receipt of
512-31 funds, as applicable, by the local board from the participating
513-32 school corporations and schools;
514-33 (11) accept and use donations, gifts, or bequests for the
515-34 purposes of this chapter; and
516-35 (12) implement purchasing and maintenance plans and
517-36 contracts with vendors, as needed, for the three (3) year
518-37 period of the pilot program.
519-38 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
520-39 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
521-40 includes the following:
522-41 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
523-42 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
524-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 12
525-1 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
526-2 and
527-3 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
528-4 should be maintained or a new local board should be
529-5 established.
530-6 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
531-7 components:
532-8 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
533-9 including the appointing authority for the members.
534-10 (B) The term lengths of the members.
535-11 (C) The member replacement process.
536-12 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
537-13 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
538-14 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
539-15 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
540-16 school transportation to the local board or new local board.
541-17 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
542-18 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
543-19 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
544-20 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
545-21 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
546-22 section 6 of this chapter:
547-23 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
548-24 the pilot program plan created under section 8(a) of this
549-25 chapter; and
550-26 (2) shall make recommendations regarding property tax levies
551-27 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
552-28 participating school corporations.
553-29 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside entities to
554-30 create and implement the pilot program plan described in section
555-31 8(a) of this chapter.
556-32 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
557-33 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
558-34 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
559-35 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
560-36 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
561-37 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
562-38 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
563-39 participation under this chapter.
564-40 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
565-41 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
566-42 shall do the following:
567564 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 13
568-1 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
569-2 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
570-3 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
571-4 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
572-5 chapter.
573-6 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
574-7 format under IC 5-14-6.
575-8 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
576-9 do the following:
577-10 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
578-11 (A) A summary regarding the:
579-12 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
580-13 pilot program;
581-14 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
582-15 board;
583-16 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
584-17 and
585-18 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
586-19 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
587-20 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
588-21 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
589-22 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
590-23 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
591-24 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
592-25 applicants.
593-26 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
594-27 statewide.
595-28 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
596-29 format under IC 5-14-6.
597-30 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
598-31 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
599-32 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
600-33 pilot program under this chapter.
601-34 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
602-35 purposes of this chapter.
603-36 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
604-37 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
605-38 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
606-39 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
607-40 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
608-41 SECTION 5. IC 20-20-54 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
609-42 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
565+1 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
566+2 format under IC 5-14-6.
567+3 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
568+4 do the following:
569+5 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
570+6 (A) A summary regarding the:
571+7 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
572+8 pilot program;
573+9 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
574+10 board;
575+11 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
576+12 and
577+13 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
578+14 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
579+15 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
580+16 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
581+17 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
582+18 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
583+19 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
584+20 applicants.
585+21 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
586+22 statewide.
587+23 (2) Submit the plan to the legislative council in an electronic
588+24 format under IC 5-14-6.
589+25 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
590+26 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
591+27 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
592+28 pilot program under this chapter.
593+29 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
594+30 purposes of this chapter.
595+31 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
596+32 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
597+33 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
598+34 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
599+35 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
600+36 SECTION 5. IC 20-20-54 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
601+37 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
602+38 JULY 1, 2025]:
603+39 Chapter 54. Mastery Based Education Pilot Program
604+40 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "mastery" means evidenced
605+41 attainment of predefined, rigorous learning objectives that:
606+42 (1) are transferable; and
610607 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 14
611-1 JULY 1, 2025]:
612-2 Chapter 54. Mastery Based Education Pilot Program
613-3 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "mastery" means evidenced
614-4 attainment of predefined, rigorous learning objectives that:
615-5 (1) are transferable; and
616-6 (2) qualify a student for advancement to subsequent
617-7 educational levels or competencies.
618-8 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "mastery based education"
619-9 means an innovative, learner centered approach to teaching and
620-10 learning that focuses on the mastery of specific skills or knowledge
621-11 areas rather than the amount of time spent in a classroom.
622-12 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
623-13 mastery based education pilot program established by section 4 of
624-14 this chapter.
625-15 Sec. 4. (a) The mastery based education pilot program is
626-16 established to support a school corporation or charter school that
627-17 is selected by the department under subsection (b) in implementing
628-18 mastery based education.
629-19 (b) The department:
630-20 (1) shall administer the pilot program; and
631-21 (2) may select school corporations and charter schools that
632-22 meet the requirements under this chapter to participate in the
633-23 pilot program.
634-24 Sec. 5. (a) To apply for participation in the pilot program, a
635-25 school corporation or charter school shall do the following:
636-26 (1) Apply on a form and in a manner established by the
637-27 department.
638-28 (2) Develop and submit a plan to the department that includes
639-29 the following:
640-30 (A) A description of the following:
641-31 (i) The educational programming the school corporation
642-32 or charter school intends to offer, including specific goals
643-33 and the measurable student outcomes to be obtained by
644-34 the school corporation or charter school.
645-35 (ii) How mastery based student performance will be
646-36 used, measured, evaluated, and reported by the school
647-37 corporation or charter school.
648-38 (iii) Any business, postsecondary educational institutions,
649-39 or community partners with which the school
650-40 corporation or charter school intends to work.
651-41 (B) If the school corporation or charter school intends to
652-42 suspend any requirements under IC 20-28 as listed in
608+1 (2) qualify a student for advancement to subsequent
609+2 educational levels or competencies.
610+3 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "mastery based education"
611+4 means an innovative, learner centered approach to teaching and
612+5 learning that focuses on the mastery of specific skills or knowledge
613+6 areas rather than the amount of time spent in a classroom.
614+7 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
615+8 mastery based education pilot program established by section 4 of
616+9 this chapter.
617+10 Sec. 4. (a) The mastery based education pilot program is
618+11 established to support a school corporation or charter school that
619+12 is selected by the department under subsection (b) in implementing
620+13 mastery based education.
621+14 (b) The department:
622+15 (1) shall administer the pilot program; and
623+16 (2) may select school corporations and charter schools that
624+17 meet the requirements under this chapter to participate in the
625+18 pilot program.
626+19 Sec. 5. (a) To apply for participation in the pilot program, a
627+20 school corporation or charter school shall do the following:
628+21 (1) Apply on a form and in a manner established by the
629+22 department.
630+23 (2) Develop and submit a plan to the department that includes
631+24 the following:
632+25 (A) A description of the following:
633+26 (i) The educational programming the school corporation
634+27 or charter school intends to offer, including specific goals
635+28 and the measurable student outcomes to be obtained by
636+29 the school corporation or charter school.
637+30 (ii) How mastery based student performance will be
638+31 used, measured, evaluated, and reported by the school
639+32 corporation or charter school.
640+33 (iii) Any business, postsecondary educational institutions,
641+34 or community partners with which the school
642+35 corporation or charter school intends to work.
643+36 (B) If the school corporation or charter school intends to
644+37 suspend any requirements under IC 20-28 as listed in
645+38 section 8(a)(2) of this chapter or IC 20-29, the school
646+39 corporation's or charter school's criteria and goals for
647+40 teacher quality, training, and compensation.
648+41 (b) The department shall do the following:
649+42 (1) Subject to subdivision (2), approve or deny an application
653650 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 15
654-1 section 8(a)(2) of this chapter or IC 20-29, the school
655-2 corporation's or charter school's criteria and goals for
656-3 teacher quality, training, and compensation.
657-4 (b) The department shall do the following:
658-5 (1) Subject to subdivision (2), approve or deny an application
659-6 and plan submitted by a school corporation or charter school
660-7 under this section.
661-8 (2) Approve an application and plan only if the department
662-9 determines that the plan:
663-10 (A) will promote innovative educational approaches to
664-11 student learning; and
665-12 (B) is likely to improve student performance and outcomes.
666-13 Sec. 6. If a school corporation or charter school participates in
667-14 the pilot program, the school corporation or charter school shall
668-15 post the school corporation's or charter school's plan approved by
669-16 the department under section 5 of this chapter on the school
670-17 corporation's or charter school's website.
671-18 Sec. 7. (a) The department may make reasonable requests for
672-19 information from a school corporation or charter school
673-20 participating in the pilot program for the purpose of assessing the
674-21 effectiveness of the plan.
675-22 (b) A school corporation or charter school shall respond to a
676-23 request for information under subsection (a) in a form, manner,
677-24 and frequency determined by the department.
678-25 Sec. 8. (a) Any of the following may be suspended for a school
679-26 corporation or charter school in accordance with the school
680-27 corporation's or charter school's plan approved under section 5 of
681-28 this chapter:
682-29 (1) Any statute or rule that may be suspended under
683-30 IC 20-26.5-2-3.
684-31 (2) Any provision under the following:
685-32 (A) IC 20-28-4.
686-33 (B) IC 20-28-11.5.
687-34 (C) IC 20-29.
688-35 (D) IC 20-30-2-2.
689-36 (E) IC 20-30-4.
690-37 (3) Subject to subsection (b), any provisions under the
691-38 statewide assessment program under IC 20-32-5.1.
692-39 (b) A statewide assessment program test requirement may not
693-40 be suspended under subsection (a)(3) unless the department has
694-41 received a waiver from the assessment requirements of the federal
695-42 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 U.S.C. 6311) and approval
651+1 and plan submitted by a school corporation or charter school
652+2 under this section.
653+3 (2) Approve an application and plan only if the department
654+4 determines that the plan:
655+5 (A) will promote innovative educational approaches to
656+6 student learning; and
657+7 (B) is likely to improve student performance and outcomes.
658+8 Sec. 6. If a school corporation or charter school participates in
659+9 the pilot program, the school corporation or charter school shall
660+10 post the school corporation's or charter school's plan approved by
661+11 the department under section 5 of this chapter on the school
662+12 corporation's or charter school's website.
663+13 Sec. 7. (a) The department may make reasonable requests for
664+14 information from a school corporation or charter school
665+15 participating in the pilot program for the purpose of assessing the
666+16 effectiveness of the plan.
667+17 (b) A school corporation or charter school shall respond to a
668+18 request for information under subsection (a) in a form, manner,
669+19 and frequency determined by the department.
670+20 Sec. 8. (a) Any of the following may be suspended for a school
671+21 corporation or charter school in accordance with the school
672+22 corporation's or charter school's plan approved under section 5 of
673+23 this chapter:
674+24 (1) Any statute or rule that may be suspended under
675+25 IC 20-26.5-2-3.
676+26 (2) Any provision under the following:
677+27 (A) IC 20-28-3.
678+28 (B) IC 20-28-4.
679+29 (C) IC 20-28-7.5.
680+30 (D) IC 20-28-8.
681+31 (E) IC 20-28-9.
682+32 (F) IC 20-28-11.5.
683+33 (G) IC 20-28-12.
684+34 (H) IC 20-29.
685+35 (I) IC 20-30-2-2.
686+36 (J) IC 20-30-4.
687+37 (b) After a school corporation or charter school has participated
688+38 for at least three (3) years in the pilot program, the department
689+39 may:
690+40 (1) revoke the suspension of any statute or rule under
691+41 subsection (a) for the school corporation or charter school; or
692+42 (2) terminate the participation of the school corporation or
696693 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 16
697-1 for one (1) or more alternate assessments for school corporations
698-2 and charter schools participating in the pilot program.
699-3 (c) After a school corporation or charter school has participated
700-4 for at least three (3) years in the pilot program, the department
701-5 may:
702-6 (1) revoke the suspension of any statute or rule under
703-7 subsection (a) for the school corporation or charter school; or
704-8 (2) terminate the participation of the school corporation or
705-9 charter school in the pilot program;
706-10 if the department determines that the school corporation or
707-11 charter school has not met the specific goals and the measurable
708-12 student outcomes in the school corporation's or charter school's
709-13 plan approved under section 5 of this chapter.
710-14 Sec. 9. This chapter expires June 30, 2035.
711-15 SECTION 6. IC 20-25-17 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
712-16 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
713-17 UPON PASSAGE]:
714-18 Chapter 17. Indianapolis Local Education Alliance
715-19 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "alliance" refers to the
716-20 Indianapolis local education alliance established by section 2 of this
717-21 chapter.
718-22 Sec. 2. (a) The Indianapolis local education alliance is
719-23 established.
720-24 (b) The alliance consists of the following nine (9) members:
721-25 (1) The superintendent of the school city or the
722-26 superintendent's designee.
723-27 (2) The mayor of a consolidated city or the mayor's designee.
724-28 (3) One (1) member appointed by the president of the board
725-29 who is not a member of the board.
726-30 (4) Four (4) members appointed by the mayor described in
727-31 subdivision (2), one (1) of whom is a representative of
728-32 business.
729-33 (5) Two (2) members appointed by the superintendent of the
730-34 school city as follows:
731-35 (A) A representative of parents who:
732-36 (i) reside; and
733-37 (ii) have students attending an innovation network
734-38 charter school (as defined in IC 20-25.7-3-6) located;
735-39 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
736-40 (B) A representative of parents who:
737-41 (i) reside within the geographic boundaries of the school
738-42 city; and
694+1 charter school in the pilot program;
695+2 if the department determines that the school corporation or
696+3 charter school has not met the specific goals and the measurable
697+4 student outcomes in the school corporation's or charter school's
698+5 plan approved under section 5 of this chapter.
699+6 Sec. 9. This chapter expires June 30, 2035.
700+7 SECTION 6. IC 20-25-17 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
701+8 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
702+9 UPON PASSAGE]:
703+10 Chapter 17. Indianapolis Local Education Alliance
704+11 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "alliance" refers to the
705+12 Indianapolis local education alliance established by section 2 of this
706+13 chapter.
707+14 Sec. 2. (a) The Indianapolis local education alliance is
708+15 established.
709+16 (b) The alliance consists of the following nine (9) members:
710+17 (1) The superintendent of the school city or the
711+18 superintendent's designee.
712+19 (2) The mayor of a consolidated city or the mayor's designee.
713+20 (3) One (1) member appointed by the president of the board
714+21 who is not a member of the board.
715+22 (4) Four (4) members appointed by the mayor described in
716+23 subdivision (2), one (1) of whom is a representative of
717+24 business.
718+25 (5) Two (2) members appointed by the superintendent of the
719+26 school city as follows:
720+27 (A) A representative of parents who:
721+28 (i) reside; and
722+29 (ii) have students attending an innovation network
723+30 charter school (as defined in IC 20-25.7-3-6) located;
724+31 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
725+32 (B) A representative of parents who:
726+33 (i) reside within the geographic boundaries of the school
727+34 city; and
728+35 (ii) have students who are enrolled in and attend a school
729+36 maintained and operated by the school city.
730+37 (c) The mayor or the mayor's designee under subsection (b)(2)
731+38 serves as the chairperson of the alliance. A quorum of the members
732+39 must be present for the alliance to take any official action. A
733+40 quorum consists of a majority of the members of the alliance. An
734+41 affirmative vote by a majority of the members present is needed
735+42 for the alliance to make a recommendation or take any official
739736 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 17
740-1 (ii) have students who are enrolled in and attend a school
741-2 maintained and operated by the school city.
742-3 (c) The mayor or the mayor's designee under subsection (b)(2)
743-4 serves as the chairperson of the alliance. A quorum of the members
744-5 must be present for the alliance to take any official action. A
745-6 quorum consists of a majority of the members of the alliance. An
746-7 affirmative vote by a majority of the members present is needed
747-8 for the alliance to make a recommendation or take any official
748-9 action.
749-10 (d) The first meeting of the alliance must be held not later than
750-11 July 1, 2025.
751-12 (e) The alliance operates independently from the school city.
752-13 Sec. 3. (a) The alliance shall do the following:
753-14 (1) Conduct school facility assessments for all applicable
754-15 public school, including charter school, facilities located
755-16 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
756-17 (2) Develop a facilities and transportation implementation
757-18 plan that includes the following components:
758-19 (A) A long term asset management and sustainability plan,
759-20 including a seat capacity target formula, that includes
760-21 establishing a local governing board as a taxing unit or
761-22 another sustainable revenue plan.
762-23 (B) Recommendations regarding additional school facility
763-24 structural changes necessary to achieve the desired result
764-25 for a collaborative system of schools that can serve all
765-26 students within the geographic boundaries of the school
766-27 city fairly.
767-28 (C) A process to approve or deny any levy requests related
768-29 to capital expenditures.
769-30 (D) A standardized template for revenue sharing
770-31 agreements and asset use agreements for all school
771-32 facilities and transportation assets within the geographic
772-33 boundaries of the school city.
773-34 (E) A method or way to address existing excess capacity in
774-35 school facilities.
775-36 (F) A method or way to increase collaboration between
776-37 schools, governmental entities, and community
777-38 organizations, including facilitating opportunities for
778-39 partnership with other governmental entities or local
779-40 nonprofit organizations to transform school facilities into
780-41 broader community assets for residents.
781-42 (G) Ensures the provision of uninterrupted transportation
737+1 action.
738+2 (d) The first meeting of the alliance must be held not later than
739+3 July 1, 2025.
740+4 (e) The alliance operates independently from the school city.
741+5 Sec. 3. (a) The alliance shall do the following:
742+6 (1) Conduct school facility assessments for all applicable
743+7 public school, including charter school, facilities located
744+8 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
745+9 (2) Develop a facilities and transportation implementation
746+10 plan that includes the following components:
747+11 (A) A long term asset management and sustainability plan,
748+12 including a seat capacity target formula, that includes
749+13 establishing a local governing board as a taxing unit or
750+14 another sustainable revenue plan.
751+15 (B) Recommendations regarding additional school facility
752+16 structural changes necessary to achieve the desired result
753+17 for a collaborative system of schools that can serve all
754+18 students within the geographic boundaries of the school
755+19 city fairly.
756+20 (C) A process to approve or deny any levy requests related
757+21 to capital expenditures.
758+22 (D) A standardized template for revenue sharing
759+23 agreements and asset use agreements for all school
760+24 facilities and transportation assets within the geographic
761+25 boundaries of the school city.
762+26 (E) A method or way to address existing excess capacity in
763+27 school facilities.
764+28 (F) A method or way to increase collaboration between
765+29 schools, governmental entities, and community
766+30 organizations, including facilitating opportunities for
767+31 partnership with other governmental entities or local
768+32 nonprofit organizations to transform school facilities into
769+33 broader community assets for residents.
770+34 (G) Ensures the provision of uninterrupted transportation
771+35 services for homeless students or students in foster care as
772+36 provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
773+37 Assistance Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
774+38 (H) Best practices in facilities management and operations.
775+39 (I) A system to track qualitative and quantitative data to
776+40 gauge the success of the plan.
777+41 (J) A system to manage any school facility or
778+42 transportation related debt.
782779 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 18
783-1 services for homeless students or students in foster care as
784-2 provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
785-3 Assistance Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
786-4 (H) Best practices in facilities management and operations.
787-5 (I) A system to track qualitative and quantitative data to
788-6 gauge the success of the plan.
789-7 (J) A system to manage any school facility or
790-8 transportation related debt.
791-9 (K) Recommendations regarding purchasing and
792-10 maintenance plans and contracts with vendors, as needed.
793-11 (L) A summary of the school facility assessments for all
794-12 applicable school facilities and recommendations based on
795-13 the assessments.
796-14 (M) An approach in which schools located within the
797-15 geographic boundaries of the school city will participate or
798-16 opt into participation in the implementation plan and at
799-17 what service level the schools may participate or opt in.
800-18 (N) The participation of all students in a single enrollment
801-19 system.
802-20 (b) In developing the plan under subsection (a)(2), the alliance
803-21 shall consider additional flexibility and creativity regarding:
804-22 (1) what is considered a school facility, including
805-23 considerations surrounding colocation with other schools,
806-24 governmental entities, or community organizations; and
807-25 (2) ways to accommodate student needs throughout the school
808-26 day, including transportation:
809-27 (A) to and from school;
810-28 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
811-29 (C) for work based learning experiences;
812-30 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
813-31 (E) for specialized educational opportunities.
814-32 Sec. 4. The alliance may:
815-33 (1) contract with outside entities in developing the plan under
816-34 section 3 of this chapter; and
817-35 (2) include the following recommendations in the
818-36 implementation plan developed under section 3(a)(2) of this
819-37 chapter:
820-38 (A) The governance structure for a collaborative school
821-39 system.
822-40 (B) Opportunities for increased efficiency for the central
823-41 office of the school city.
824-42 (C) Future referendum planning.
780+1 (K) Recommendations regarding purchasing and
781+2 maintenance plans and contracts with vendors, as needed.
782+3 (L) A summary of the school facility assessments for all
783+4 applicable school facilities and recommendations based on
784+5 the assessments.
785+6 (M) An approach in which schools located within the
786+7 geographic boundaries of the school city will participate or
787+8 opt into participation in the implementation plan and at
788+9 what service level the schools may participate or opt in.
789+10 (N) The participation of all students in a single enrollment
790+11 system.
791+12 (b) In developing the plan under subsection (a)(2), the alliance
792+13 shall consider additional flexibility and creativity regarding:
793+14 (1) what is considered a school facility, including
794+15 considerations surrounding colocation with other schools,
795+16 governmental entities, or community organizations; and
796+17 (2) ways to accommodate student needs throughout the school
797+18 day, including transportation:
798+19 (A) to and from school;
799+20 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
800+21 (C) for work based learning experiences;
801+22 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
802+23 (E) for specialized educational opportunities.
803+24 Sec. 4. The alliance may:
804+25 (1) contract with outside entities in developing the plan under
805+26 section 3 of this chapter; and
806+27 (2) include the following recommendations in the
807+28 implementation plan developed under section 3(a)(2) of this
808+29 chapter:
809+30 (A) The governance structure for a collaborative school
810+31 system.
811+32 (B) Opportunities for increased efficiency for the central
812+33 office of the school city.
813+34 (C) Future referendum planning.
814+35 (D) School consolidation.
815+36 (E) The expansion of high quality academic programming.
816+37 (F) Uniform school performance frameworks for all
817+38 schools within the collaborative school system.
818+39 (G) Special education policies.
819+40 Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to a proposed new charter
820+41 school if the organizer of the proposed new charter school
821+42 submitted to an authorizer on or before April 1, 2025, the proposal
825822 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 19
826-1 (D) School consolidation.
827-2 (E) The expansion of high quality academic programming.
828-3 (F) Uniform school performance frameworks for all
829-4 schools within the collaborative school system.
830-5 (G) Special education policies.
831-6 Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to a proposed new charter
832-7 school if the organizer of the proposed new charter school
833-8 submitted to an authorizer on or before April 1, 2025, the proposal
834-9 to establish the new charter school.
835-10 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, a
836-11 charter may not be granted by an authorizer for a new charter
837-12 school located within the boundaries of the school city except by
838-13 the executive (as defined in IC 36-1-2-5) of a consolidated city.
839-14 Sec. 6. Not later than December 31, 2025, the alliance shall
840-15 submit the school facilities and transportation implementation plan
841-16 to the following:
842-17 (1) The secretary of education.
843-18 (2) The board.
844-19 (3) The mayor described in section 2(b)(2) of this chapter.
845-20 (4) The legislative council in an electronic format under
846-21 IC 5-14-6.
847-22 Sec. 7. This chapter expires March 30, 2026.
848-23 SECTION 7. IC 20-27-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.43-2021,
849-24 SECTION 82, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
850-25 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The following nonvoting members shall
851-26 advise the voting members of the committee:
852-27 (1) A member of the Indiana Association of School Bus
853-28 Distributors selected by the executive committee of that
854-29 association.
855-30 (2) A member of the state police department selected by the state
856-31 police superintendent.
857-32 (3) A member of the Indiana Transportation Association selected
858-33 by the executive committee of that association.
859-34 (4) (3) A member of the Indiana Township Association selected
860-35 by the executive committee of that association.
861-36 (5) (4) A school business official appointed by the secretary of
862-37 education upon the recommendation of the Indiana Association
863-38 of School Business Officials.
864-39 (b) An individual is not qualified to serve as a nonvoting member
865-40 of the committee until proper credentials of the individual's
866-41 appointment have been filed with the chairperson of the committee.
867-42 Each nonvoting member shall be notified of all committee meetings
823+1 to establish the new charter school.
824+2 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, a
825+3 charter may not be granted by an authorizer for a new charter
826+4 school located within the boundaries of the school city except by
827+5 the executive (as defined in IC 36-1-2-5) of a consolidated city.
828+6 Sec. 6. Not later than December 31, 2025, the alliance shall
829+7 submit the school facilities and transportation implementation plan
830+8 to the following:
831+9 (1) The secretary of education.
832+10 (2) The board.
833+11 (3) The mayor described in section 2(b)(2) of this chapter.
834+12 (4) The legislative council in an electronic format under
835+13 IC 5-14-6.
836+14 Sec. 7. This chapter expires March 30, 2026.
837+15 SECTION 7. IC 20-27-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.43-2021,
838+16 SECTION 82, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
839+17 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The following nonvoting members shall
840+18 advise the voting members of the committee:
841+19 (1) A member of the Indiana Association of School Bus
842+20 Distributors selected by the executive committee of that
843+21 association.
844+22 (2) A member of the state police department selected by the state
845+23 police superintendent.
846+24 (3) A member of the Indiana Transportation Association selected
847+25 by the executive committee of that association.
848+26 (4) (3) A member of the Indiana Township Association selected
849+27 by the executive committee of that association.
850+28 (5) (4) A school business official appointed by the secretary of
851+29 education upon the recommendation of the Indiana Association
852+30 of School Business Officials.
853+31 (b) An individual is not qualified to serve as a nonvoting member
854+32 of the committee until proper credentials of the individual's
855+33 appointment have been filed with the chairperson of the committee.
856+34 Each nonvoting member shall be notified of all committee meetings
857+35 and may attend each meeting and offer advice to the voting members
858+36 of the committee.
859+37 SECTION 8. IC 20-28-5-12.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.243-2023,
860+38 SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
861+39 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12.5. (a) The department shall grant an initial
862+40 practitioner license to an individual who:
863+41 (1) possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited
864+42 postsecondary four (4) year institution;
868865 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 20
869-1 and may attend each meeting and offer advice to the voting members
870-2 of the committee.
871-3 SECTION 8. IC 20-28-5-12.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.243-2023,
872-4 SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
873-5 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12.5. (a) The department shall grant an initial
874-6 practitioner license to an individual who:
875-7 (1) possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited
876-8 postsecondary four (4) year institution;
877-9 (2) successfully completes an alternative teacher certification
878-10 program that includes:
879-11 (A) the required content training in the area in which the
880-12 individual seeks to be licensed;
881-13 (B) pedagogy training and an examination that is in
882-14 substantive alignment with nationally recognized pedagogical
883-15 standards and teaches effective:
884-16 (i) instructional delivery;
885-17 (ii) classroom management and organization;
886-18 (iii) assessment;
887-19 (iv) instructional design; and
888-20 (v) professional learning and leadership;
889-21 (C) successful demonstration of content area proficiency in an
890-22 examination that includes content area material in substantive
891-23 alignment with nationally recognized content area standards in
892-24 the areas that the individual is required to have a license to
893-25 teach;
894-26 (D) verification from a third party that regularly reviews
895-27 educational and professional examinations that the alternative
896-28 certification examination is equal to or greater in rigor than the
897-29 written examination under section 12 of this chapter;
898-30 (E) content within the curriculum that prepares teacher
899-31 candidates to use evidence based trauma informed classroom
900-32 instruction, including instruction in evidence based social
901-33 emotional learning classroom practices that are conducive to
902-34 supporting students who have experienced trauma that may
903-35 interfere with a student's academic functioning; and
904-36 (F) content within the curriculum that:
905-37 (i) beginning July 1, 2024, is aligned to the science of
906-38 reading; and
907-39 (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares teacher candidates or
908-40 program participants who seek to obtain an elementary
909-41 generalist license that is valid for teaching in kindergarten
910-42 through grade 5 or an early childhood license that is valid
866+1 (2) successfully completes an alternative teacher certification
867+2 program that includes:
868+3 (A) the required content training in the area in which the
869+4 individual seeks to be licensed;
870+5 (B) pedagogy training and an examination that is in
871+6 substantive alignment with nationally recognized pedagogical
872+7 standards and teaches effective:
873+8 (i) instructional delivery;
874+9 (ii) classroom management and organization;
875+10 (iii) assessment;
876+11 (iv) instructional design; and
877+12 (v) professional learning and leadership;
878+13 (C) successful demonstration of content area proficiency in an
879+14 examination that includes content area material in substantive
880+15 alignment with nationally recognized content area standards in
881+16 the areas that the individual is required to have a license to
882+17 teach;
883+18 (D) verification from a third party that regularly reviews
884+19 educational and professional examinations that the alternative
885+20 certification examination is equal to or greater in rigor than the
886+21 written examination under section 12 of this chapter;
887+22 (E) content within the curriculum that prepares teacher
888+23 candidates to use evidence based trauma informed classroom
889+24 instruction, including instruction in evidence based social
890+25 emotional learning classroom practices that are conducive to
891+26 supporting students who have experienced trauma that may
892+27 interfere with a student's academic functioning; and
893+28 (F) content within the curriculum that:
894+29 (i) beginning July 1, 2024, is aligned to the science of
895+30 reading; and
896+31 (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares teacher candidates or
897+32 program participants who seek to obtain an elementary
898+33 generalist license that is valid for teaching in kindergarten
899+34 through grade 5 or an early childhood license that is valid
900+35 for teaching prekindergarten through grade 3 to obtain the
901+36 literacy endorsement required under section 19.7 of this
902+37 chapter;
903+38 (3) successfully completes a Praxis Subject Assessment; an
904+39 applicable teacher licensing exam as approved by the state
905+40 board;
906+41 (4) holds a valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification from
907+42 a provider approved by the department; and
911908 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 21
912-1 for teaching prekindergarten through grade 3 to obtain the
913-2 literacy endorsement required under section 19.7 of this
914-3 chapter;
915-4 (3) successfully completes a Praxis Subject Assessment; an
916-5 applicable teacher licensing exam as approved by the state
917-6 board;
918-7 (4) holds a valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification from
919-8 a provider approved by the department; and
920-9 (5) has attended youth suicide awareness and prevention training.
921-10 (b) The individual must complete a one (1) year practical experience
922-11 program during the individual's first year in the classroom when the
923-12 individual is employed as a full-time teacher. The provider must:
924-13 (1) provide the practical experience program at no cost to the state
925-14 or to the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
926-15 nonpublic school; and
927-16 (2) as part of the practical instruction program, provide
928-17 instruction in:
929-18 (A) instructional design and planning;
930-19 (B) effective instructional delivery;
931-20 (C) classroom management and organization;
932-21 (D) effective use of assessment data;
933-22 (E) content in federal and Indiana special education laws; and
934-23 (F) required awareness, preparation, and understanding of:
935-24 (i) individualized education programs;
936-25 (ii) service plans developed under 511 IAC 7-34;
937-26 (iii) choice special education plans developed under 511
938-27 IAC 7-49; and
939-28 (iv) plans developed under Section 504 of the federal
940-29 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794.
941-30 (c) An in-state alternative teacher certification program under
942-31 subsection (a)(2) must operate in accordance with the procedures and
943-32 program approval standards and requirements set by the department
944-33 and the state board for teacher education programs for the licensure of
945-34 teachers.
946-35 (d) An out-of-state alternative teacher certification program under
947-36 subsection (a)(2) must:
948-37 (1) currently operate in at least five (5) states; and
949-38 (2) have operated an alternative teacher certification program for
950-39 at least ten (10) years.
951-40 (e) An individual who receives an alternative teacher certification
952-41 under subsection (a)(2) is authorized to teach the subject and
953-42 educational level that the individual has successfully completed.
909+1 (5) has attended youth suicide awareness and prevention training.
910+2 (b) The individual must complete a one (1) year practical experience
911+3 program during the individual's first year in the classroom when the
912+4 individual is employed as a full-time teacher. The provider must:
913+5 (1) provide the practical experience program at no cost to the state
914+6 or to the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
915+7 nonpublic school; and
916+8 (2) as part of the practical instruction program, provide
917+9 instruction in:
918+10 (A) instructional design and planning;
919+11 (B) effective instructional delivery;
920+12 (C) classroom management and organization;
921+13 (D) effective use of assessment data;
922+14 (E) content in federal and Indiana special education laws; and
923+15 (F) required awareness, preparation, and understanding of:
924+16 (i) individualized education programs;
925+17 (ii) service plans developed under 511 IAC 7-34;
926+18 (iii) choice special education plans developed under 511
927+19 IAC 7-49; and
928+20 (iv) plans developed under Section 504 of the federal
929+21 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794.
930+22 (c) An in-state alternative teacher certification program under
931+23 subsection (a)(2) must operate in accordance with the procedures and
932+24 program approval standards and requirements set by the department
933+25 and the state board for teacher education programs for the licensure of
934+26 teachers.
935+27 (d) An out-of-state alternative teacher certification program under
936+28 subsection (a)(2) must:
937+29 (1) currently operate in at least five (5) states; and
938+30 (2) have operated an alternative teacher certification program for
939+31 at least ten (10) years.
940+32 (e) An individual who receives an alternative teacher certification
941+33 under subsection (a)(2) is authorized to teach the subject and
942+34 educational level that the individual has successfully completed.
943+35 (f) An individual who receives an initial practitioner license under
944+36 this section shall be treated in the same manner as an individual who
945+37 receives an initial practitioner license after completing a traditional
946+38 teacher preparation program.
947+39 (g) An individual who graduates from an alternative teacher
948+40 certification program must be treated in the same manner as a
949+41 traditional teacher preparation program graduate during the transition
950+42 from an initial practitioner license to a practitioner license.
954951 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 22
955-1 (f) An individual who receives an initial practitioner license under
956-2 this section shall be treated in the same manner as an individual who
957-3 receives an initial practitioner license after completing a traditional
958-4 teacher preparation program.
959-5 (g) An individual who graduates from an alternative teacher
960-6 certification program must be treated in the same manner as a
961-7 traditional teacher preparation program graduate during the transition
962-8 from an initial practitioner license to a practitioner license.
963-9 (h) An individual who receives an initial practitioner license under
964-10 this section may not teach a special education course for a special
965-11 education student for the period the individual maintains a license
966-12 under this section unless the individual is at least twenty-six (26) years
967-13 of age and employed in a school setting or with another community
968-14 organization, including a for-profit or nonprofit organization, to
969-15 provide care or instruction for a student with a physical, intellectual, or
970-16 developmental disability. However, an individual who receives an
971-17 initial practitioner license under this section may not be a teacher of
972-18 record for a special education student for the period the individual
973-19 maintains the initial practitioner license.
974-20 (i) A school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
975-21 nonpublic school shall submit a plan to the department if the school
976-22 corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school hires
977-23 one (1) or more individuals who have received an initial practitioner
978-24 license under this section. The plan must be submitted in a manner
979-25 prescribed by the department and must include a description of how the
980-26 school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school
981-27 will, excluding the practical experience program described in
982-28 subsection (b), provide an individual who receives an initial
983-29 practitioner license under this section opportunities to obtain exposure
984-30 to classroom management and instructional techniques, including
985-31 meaningful exposure to special education. The plan is a public record.
986-32 (j) Not later than July 1, 2024, the department shall prepare a report
987-33 that shall be submitted to the general assembly in an electronic format
988-34 under IC 5-14-6. The report must contain the following information:
989-35 (1) Data showing how many teachers obtained an initial
990-36 practitioner license under this section.
991-37 (2) A description of the number of teachers who received an
992-38 initial practitioner license under this section who are currently
993-39 employed as a teacher by each:
994-40 (A) school corporation;
995-41 (B) charter school; or
996-42 (C) state accredited nonpublic school.
952+1 (h) An individual who receives an initial practitioner license under
953+2 this section may not teach a special education course for a special
954+3 education student for the period the individual maintains a license
955+4 under this section unless the individual is at least twenty-six (26) years
956+5 of age and employed in a school setting or with another community
957+6 organization, including a for-profit or nonprofit organization, to
958+7 provide care or instruction for a student with a physical, intellectual, or
959+8 developmental disability. However, an individual who receives an
960+9 initial practitioner license under this section may not be a teacher of
961+10 record for a special education student for the period the individual
962+11 maintains the initial practitioner license.
963+12 (i) A school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
964+13 nonpublic school shall submit a plan to the department if the school
965+14 corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school hires
966+15 one (1) or more individuals who have received an initial practitioner
967+16 license under this section. The plan must be submitted in a manner
968+17 prescribed by the department and must include a description of how the
969+18 school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school
970+19 will, excluding the practical experience program described in
971+20 subsection (b), provide an individual who receives an initial
972+21 practitioner license under this section opportunities to obtain exposure
973+22 to classroom management and instructional techniques, including
974+23 meaningful exposure to special education. The plan is a public record.
975+24 (j) Not later than July 1, 2024, the department shall prepare a report
976+25 that shall be submitted to the general assembly in an electronic format
977+26 under IC 5-14-6. The report must contain the following information:
978+27 (1) Data showing how many teachers obtained an initial
979+28 practitioner license under this section.
980+29 (2) A description of the number of teachers who received an
981+30 initial practitioner license under this section who are currently
982+31 employed as a teacher by each:
983+32 (A) school corporation;
984+33 (B) charter school; or
985+34 (C) state accredited nonpublic school.
986+35 The description must include a breakdown of the subjects taught
987+36 by teachers who receive an initial practitioner license under this
988+37 section.
989+38 (3) A comparison of the Praxis Subject Assessment pass rates for
990+39 individuals who receive an initial practitioner license under this
991+40 section in comparison with the Praxis Subject Assessment pass
992+41 rates for teachers who obtained an initial practitioner license
993+42 using a different pathway to licensure.
997994 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 23
998-1 The description must include a breakdown of the subjects taught
999-2 by teachers who receive an initial practitioner license under this
1000-3 section.
1001-4 (3) A comparison of the Praxis Subject Assessment pass rates for
1002-5 individuals who receive an initial practitioner license under this
1003-6 section in comparison with the Praxis Subject Assessment pass
1004-7 rates for teachers who obtained an initial practitioner license
1005-8 using a different pathway to licensure.
1006-9 (4) A description of how many teachers who received an initial
1007-10 practitioner license under this section are rated as effective or
1008-11 highly effective.
1009-12 SECTION 9. IC 20-30-7-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.5-2024,
1010-13 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1011-14 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the
1012-15 state board may prescribe a program of summer school education for
1013-16 public schools. Subject to subsection (b), the state board shall adopt
1014-17 rules under IC 4-22-2 to provide for:
1015-18 (1) summer school programs; and
1016-19 (2) the state distribution formula for any money appropriated by
1017-20 the general assembly for summer school education to allow for
1018-21 the reimbursement funding for approved summer school
1019-22 programs on a per student basis, which may include
1020-23 differentiated funding based on the course the student is
1021-24 enrolled in and the length of time of the summer school
1022-25 program.
1023-26 (A) instructional costs; and
1024-27 (B) costs of tuition for an applicable online summer school
1025-28 course.
1026-29 (b) The state board shall give priority reimbursement which must be
1027-30 exempt from the distribution formula adopted by the state board under
1028-31 subsection (a), for all eligible costs for summer school courses that
1029-32 include curriculum aligned with the science of reading designated by
1030-33 the department to support students in:
995+1 (4) A description of how many teachers who received an initial
996+2 practitioner license under this section are rated as effective or
997+3 highly effective.
998+4 SECTION 9. IC 20-30-7-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.5-2024,
999+5 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1000+6 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the
1001+7 state board may prescribe a program of summer school education for
1002+8 public schools. Subject to subsection (b), the state board shall adopt
1003+9 rules under IC 4-22-2 to provide for:
1004+10 (1) summer school programs; and
1005+11 (2) the state distribution formula for any money appropriated by
1006+12 the general assembly for summer school education to allow for
1007+13 the reimbursement funding for approved summer school
1008+14 programs on a per student basis, which may include
1009+15 differentiated funding based on the course the student is
1010+16 enrolled in and the length of time of the summer school
1011+17 program.
1012+18 (A) instructional costs; and
1013+19 (B) costs of tuition for an applicable online summer school
1014+20 course.
1015+21 (b) The state board shall give priority reimbursement which must be
1016+22 exempt from the distribution formula adopted by the state board under
1017+23 subsection (a), for all eligible costs for summer school courses that
1018+24 include curriculum aligned with the science of reading designated by
1019+25 the department to support students in:
1020+26 (1) grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient; and
1021+27 (2) grade 3 who are not reading proficient;
1022+28 as indicated on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved
1023+29 by the state board under IC 20-32-8.5-2.
1024+30 (c) A state accredited nonpublic school and an eligible school (as
1025+31 defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7) shall be eligible for summer school funding
1026+32 for courses that include curriculum aligned with the science of reading
1027+33 designated by the department to support students in:
10311028 34 (1) grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient; and
10321029 35 (2) grade 3 who are not reading proficient;
10331030 36 as indicated on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved
10341031 37 by the state board under IC 20-32-8.5-2.
1035-38 (c) A state accredited nonpublic school and an eligible school (as
1036-39 defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7) shall be eligible for summer school funding
1037-40 for courses that include curriculum aligned with the science of reading
1038-41 designated by the department to support students in:
1039-42 (1) grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient; and
1032+38 SECTION 10. IC 20-32-8.5-2, AS AMENDED BY THE
1033+39 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL OF THE 2025 GENERAL
1034+40 ASSEMBLY, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1035+41 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the
1036+42 plan required by this chapter must include the following:
10401037 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 24
1041-1 (2) grade 3 who are not reading proficient;
1042-2 as indicated on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved
1043-3 by the state board under IC 20-32-8.5-2.
1044-4 SECTION 10. IC 20-32-8.5-2, AS AMENDED BY THE
1045-5 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL OF THE 2025 GENERAL
1046-6 ASSEMBLY, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1047-7 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the
1048-8 plan required by this chapter must include the following:
1049-9 (1) Reading skill standards for grade 1 through grade 3.
1050-10 (2) A method for making determinant evaluations by grade 3 that
1051-11 remedial action is required for a student, including:
1052-12 (A) beginning with evaluations administered during the
1053-13 2024-2025 school year, and except as provided in subsection
1054-14 (c), retention of the student in grade 3 if the student has not
1055-15 achieved a passing score on the determinant evaluation of
1056-16 reading skills approved by the state board after the student has
1057-17 had an opportunity to retake the determinant evaluation in the
1058-18 summer; and
1059-19 (B) the use of curricular materials and supplemental materials
1060-20 aligned to the science of reading that are designed to address
1061-21 deficiencies in reading;
1062-22 after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used,
1063-23 or both, if reading skills are below the standard. Appropriate
1064-24 consultation with parents or guardians must be part of the plan.
1065-25 (3) A requirement that schools notify a student's parent of the
1066-26 following:
1067-27 (A) The student's assessment results regarding skill level in:
1068-28 (i) phonemic awareness;
1069-29 (ii) phonics;
1070-30 (iii) fluency;
1071-31 (iv) vocabulary; and
1072-32 (v) comprehension.
1073-33 (B) The student's assessment results on the determinant
1074-34 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board.
1075-35 (C) Any intervention provided to the student or any remedial
1076-36 action taken.
1077-37 (4) A requirement that schools monitor the progress of students
1078-38 who failed to achieve a valid passing score on the:
1079-39 (A) determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
1080-40 state board; or
1081-41 (B) statewide assessment program test.
1082-42 (5) A requirement that schools provide reading instruction that
1038+1 (1) Reading skill standards for grade 1 through grade 3.
1039+2 (2) A method for making determinant evaluations by grade 3 that
1040+3 remedial action is required for a student, including:
1041+4 (A) beginning with evaluations administered during the
1042+5 2024-2025 school year, and except as provided in subsection
1043+6 (c), retention of the student in grade 3 if the student has not
1044+7 achieved a passing score on the determinant evaluation of
1045+8 reading skills approved by the state board after the student has
1046+9 had an opportunity to retake the determinant evaluation in the
1047+10 summer; and
1048+11 (B) the use of curricular materials and supplemental materials
1049+12 aligned to the science of reading that are designed to address
1050+13 deficiencies in reading;
1051+14 after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used,
1052+15 or both, if reading skills are below the standard. Appropriate
1053+16 consultation with parents or guardians must be part of the plan.
1054+17 (3) A requirement that schools notify a student's parent of the
1055+18 following:
1056+19 (A) The student's assessment results regarding skill level in:
1057+20 (i) phonemic awareness;
1058+21 (ii) phonics;
1059+22 (iii) fluency;
1060+23 (iv) vocabulary; and
1061+24 (v) comprehension.
1062+25 (B) The student's assessment results on the determinant
1063+26 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board.
1064+27 (C) Any intervention provided to the student or any remedial
1065+28 action taken.
1066+29 (4) A requirement that schools monitor the progress of students
1067+30 who failed to achieve a valid passing score on the:
1068+31 (A) determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
1069+32 state board; or
1070+33 (B) statewide assessment program test.
1071+34 (5) A requirement that schools provide reading instruction that
1072+35 includes a core reading program aligned with the science of
1073+36 reading to all students in kindergarten through grade 8.
1074+37 (6) A requirement for the administration of the determinant
1075+38 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board to
1076+39 students in grade 2.
1077+40 (7) A requirement that all students take the determinant
1078+41 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board until the
1079+42 student:
10831080 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 25
1084-1 includes a core reading program aligned with the science of
1085-2 reading to all students in kindergarten through grade 8.
1086-3 (6) A requirement for the administration of the determinant
1087-4 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board to
1088-5 students in grade 2.
1089-6 (7) A requirement that all students take the determinant
1090-7 evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board until the
1091-8 student:
1092-9 (A) receives a passing score, regardless of the student's grade
1093-10 level; or
1094-11 (B) enters grade 7.
1095-12 (8) A requirement that a school report the following to the
1096-13 department:
1097-14 (A) The literacy interventions that will be used for students in
1098-15 grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient and
1099-16 students in grade 3 who do not achieve a valid passing score
1100-17 on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
1101-18 the state board.
1102-19 (B) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
1103-20 plan for students in grade 2 who are at risk of not being
1104-21 reading proficient and students in grade 3 who do not achieve
1105-22 a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading
1106-23 skills approved by the state board.
1107-24 (C) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
1108-25 plan for students who do not achieve a valid passing score on
1109-26 the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
1110-27 state board.
1111-28 (D) The number of students being served by the interventions
1112-29 described in clauses (B) and (C).
1113-30 (E) The cost of providing the interventions described in
1114-31 clauses (B) and (C).
1115-32 (F) Any other information requested by the department.
1116-33 (9) Requirements for a school in which fewer than seventy
1117-34 percent (70%) of students of the school achieved a valid passing
1118-35 score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
1119-36 the state board that must include the following:
1120-37 (A) Use of curriculum that is:
1121-38 (i) based on the science of reading; and
1122-39 (ii) age appropriate; and
1123-40 (ii) (iii) approved by the department.
1124-41 (B) Employment of the following:
1125-42 (i) Before July 1, 2025, an instructional coach who is trained
1081+1 (A) receives a passing score, regardless of the student's grade
1082+2 level; or
1083+3 (B) enters grade 7.
1084+4 (8) A requirement that a school report the following to the
1085+5 department:
1086+6 (A) The literacy interventions that will be used for students in
1087+7 grade 2 who are at risk of not being reading proficient and
1088+8 students in grade 3 who do not achieve a valid passing score
1089+9 on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
1090+10 the state board.
1091+11 (B) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
1092+12 plan for students in grade 2 who are at risk of not being
1093+13 reading proficient and students in grade 3 who do not achieve
1094+14 a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading
1095+15 skills approved by the state board.
1096+16 (C) The literacy interventions in use before the adoption of the
1097+17 plan for students who do not achieve a valid passing score on
1098+18 the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the
1099+19 state board.
1100+20 (D) The number of students being served by the interventions
1101+21 described in clauses (B) and (C).
1102+22 (E) The cost of providing the interventions described in
1103+23 clauses (B) and (C).
1104+24 (F) Any other information requested by the department.
1105+25 (9) Requirements for a school in which fewer than seventy
1106+26 percent (70%) of students of the school achieved a valid passing
1107+27 score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by
1108+28 the state board that must include the following:
1109+29 (A) Use of curriculum that is:
1110+30 (i) based on the science of reading; and
1111+31 (ii) age appropriate; and
1112+32 (ii) (iii) approved by the department.
1113+33 (B) Employment of the following:
1114+34 (i) Before July 1, 2025, an instructional coach who is trained
1115+35 in the science of reading, as determined by the department.
1116+36 This item expires January 1, 2026.
1117+37 (ii) After June 30, 2025, an instructional coach with a
1118+38 literacy related endorsement who is trained in the science of
1119+39 reading.
1120+40 (C) Use of only benchmark, formative, interim, or similar
1121+41 assessments that:
1122+42 (i) show alignment with Indiana's academic standards; and
11261123 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 26
1127-1 in the science of reading, as determined by the department.
1128-2 This item expires January 1, 2026.
1129-3 (ii) After June 30, 2025, an instructional coach with a
1130-4 literacy related endorsement who is trained in the science of
1131-5 reading.
1132-6 (C) Use of only benchmark, formative, interim, or similar
1133-7 assessments that:
1134-8 (i) show alignment with Indiana's academic standards; and
1135-9 (ii) are approved by the department.
1136-10 (D) Use of a screener procured under IC 20-32-5.1-17(j).
1137-11 (10) The fiscal impact of each component of the plan, if any. In
1138-12 determining whether a component has a fiscal impact,
1139-13 consideration shall be given to whether the component will
1140-14 increase costs to the state or a school corporation or require the
1141-15 state or school corporation to reallocate resources.
1142-16 (b) A school may receive a waiver of the requirements provided in
1143-17 511 IAC 6.2-3.1-4(a)(2) if the state board approves an alternative
1144-18 reading plan provided by the school.
1145-19 (c) A student who would otherwise be subject to retention in grade
1146-20 3 under the plan is not subject to the retention requirement only if the
1147-21 student meets one (1) of the following criteria:
1148-22 (1) The student was subject to retention and has been retained in
1149-23 grade 3 for one (1) school year.
1150-24 (2) The student has an intellectual disability or the student's
1151-25 individualized education program specifies that retention is not
1152-26 appropriate, and the student's case conference committee has
1153-27 determined that promotion to another grade is appropriate.
1154-28 (3) The student is an English learner who has received services
1155-29 for fewer than two (2) years and a committee consisting of:
1156-30 (A) the student's parent;
1157-31 (B) a building level administrator or designee;
1158-32 (C) a classroom teacher of service;
1159-33 (D) an English learner teacher of record, if one exists; and
1160-34 (E) an English learner district administrator, if one exists;
1161-35 determines that promotion is appropriate based on the
1162-36 implementation of research based instructional practices outlined
1163-37 in the student's individual learning plan.
1164-38 (4) The student received a score of proficient or above proficient
1165-39 in grade 3 math on the statewide summative assessment.
1166-40 (5) The student:
1167-41 (A) has received intensive intervention as determined by the
1168-42 department in reading for two (2) or more years; and
1124+1 (ii) are approved by the department.
1125+2 (D) Use of a screener procured under IC 20-32-5.1-17(j).
1126+3 (10) The fiscal impact of each component of the plan, if any. In
1127+4 determining whether a component has a fiscal impact,
1128+5 consideration shall be given to whether the component will
1129+6 increase costs to the state or a school corporation or require the
1130+7 state or school corporation to reallocate resources.
1131+8 (b) A school may receive a waiver of the requirements provided in
1132+9 511 IAC 6.2-3.1-4(a)(2) if the state board approves an alternative
1133+10 reading plan provided by the school.
1134+11 (c) A student who would otherwise be subject to retention in grade
1135+12 3 under the plan is not subject to the retention requirement only if the
1136+13 student meets one (1) of the following criteria:
1137+14 (1) The student was subject to retention and has been retained in
1138+15 grade 3 for one (1) school year.
1139+16 (2) The student has an intellectual disability or the student's
1140+17 individualized education program specifies that retention is not
1141+18 appropriate, and the student's case conference committee has
1142+19 determined that promotion to another grade is appropriate.
1143+20 (3) The student is an English learner who has received services
1144+21 for fewer than two (2) years and a committee consisting of:
1145+22 (A) the student's parent;
1146+23 (B) a building level administrator or designee;
1147+24 (C) a classroom teacher of service;
1148+25 (D) an English learner teacher of record, if one exists; and
1149+26 (E) an English learner district administrator, if one exists;
1150+27 determines that promotion is appropriate based on the
1151+28 implementation of research based instructional practices outlined
1152+29 in the student's individual learning plan.
1153+30 (4) The student received a score of proficient or above proficient
1154+31 in grade 3 math on the statewide summative assessment.
1155+32 (5) The student:
1156+33 (A) has received intensive intervention as determined by the
1157+34 department in reading for two (2) or more years; and
1158+35 (B) was retained more than one (1) time throughout
1159+36 kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 2.
1160+37 (d) A student who is not subject to the retention requirement as
1161+38 provided under subsection (c) must be provided with additional
1162+39 reading instruction that is aligned with the science of reading until the
1163+40 student achieves a passing score on the determinant evaluation of
1164+41 reading skills approved by the state board.
1165+42 (e) This subsection applies after June 30, 2024. Before October 1 of
11691166 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 27
1170-1 (B) was retained more than one (1) time throughout
1171-2 kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 2.
1172-3 (d) A student who is not subject to the retention requirement as
1173-4 provided under subsection (c) must be provided with additional
1174-5 reading instruction that is aligned with the science of reading until the
1175-6 student achieves a passing score on the determinant evaluation of
1176-7 reading skills approved by the state board.
1177-8 (e) This subsection applies after June 30, 2024. Before October 1 of
1178-9 each school year, the department shall:
1179-10 (1) identify each incoming student (as defined in section 0.7 of
1180-11 this chapter) enrolled in kindergarten in a school in Indiana; and
1181-12 (2) notify the parent or guardian of the student of the retention
1182-13 requirement under this chapter for grade 3 students who do not
1183-14 achieve a passing score on the Indiana reading evaluation and
1184-15 determination (IRead3).
1185-16 (f) The department shall establish a standard reporting process and
1186-17 reporting window for schools to report students who qualify for an
1187-18 exemption under subsection (c).
1188-19 SECTION 11. IC 20-35-2-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.162-2024,
1189-20 SECTION 22, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1190-21 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) There is established under the state board
1191-22 department a division of special education. The division shall exercise
1192-23 all the power and duties set out in this chapter, IC 20-35-3 through
1193-24 IC 20-35-6, and IC 20-35-8.
1194-25 (b) The governor secretary of education shall appoint upon the
1195-26 recommendation of the secretary of education, a director of special
1196-27 education who serves at the pleasure of the governor. secretary of
1197-28 education. The amount of compensation of the director shall be
1198-29 determined by the budget agency with the approval of the governor.
1199-30 The director has the following duties:
1200-31 (1) To shall do the following:
1201-32 (A) (1) Have general supervision of special education
1202-33 programs and services, including those conducted by school
1203-34 corporations, charter schools, the Indiana School for the Blind
1204-35 and Visually Impaired, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the
1205-36 department of correction, and the division of mental health and
1206-37 addiction to ensure compliance with federal and state special
1207-38 education laws and rules.
1208-39 (B) (2) Take appropriate action to ensure school corporations,
1209-40 charter schools, and the department remain eligible for federal
1210-41 special education funds.
1211-42 (C) (3) Oversee the training of hearing officers and establish
1167+1 each school year, the department shall:
1168+2 (1) identify each incoming student (as defined in section 0.7 of
1169+3 this chapter) enrolled in kindergarten in a school in Indiana; and
1170+4 (2) notify the parent or guardian of the student of the retention
1171+5 requirement under this chapter for grade 3 students who do not
1172+6 achieve a passing score on the Indiana reading evaluation and
1173+7 determination (IRead3).
1174+8 (f) The department shall establish a standard reporting process and
1175+9 reporting window for schools to report students who qualify for an
1176+10 exemption under subsection (c).
1177+11 SECTION 11. IC 20-35-2-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.162-2024,
1178+12 SECTION 22, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
1179+13 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) There is established under the state board
1180+14 department a division of special education. The division shall exercise
1181+15 all the power and duties set out in this chapter, IC 20-35-3 through
1182+16 IC 20-35-6, and IC 20-35-8.
1183+17 (b) The governor secretary of education shall appoint upon the
1184+18 recommendation of the secretary of education, a director of special
1185+19 education who serves at the pleasure of the governor. secretary of
1186+20 education. The amount of compensation of the director shall be
1187+21 determined by the budget agency with the approval of the governor.
1188+22 The director has the following duties:
1189+23 (1) To shall do the following:
1190+24 (A) (1) Have general supervision of special education
1191+25 programs and services, including those conducted by school
1192+26 corporations, charter schools, the Indiana School for the Blind
1193+27 and Visually Impaired, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the
1194+28 department of correction, and the division of mental health and
1195+29 addiction to ensure compliance with federal and state special
1196+30 education laws and rules.
1197+31 (B) (2) Take appropriate action to ensure school corporations,
1198+32 charter schools, and the department remain eligible for federal
1199+33 special education funds.
1200+34 (C) (3) Oversee the training of hearing officers and establish
1201+35 guidelines as described in IC 20-35-14-5.
1202+36 (2) With the consent of the secretary of education and the budget
1203+37 agency, to appoint and determine salaries for any assistants and
1204+38 other personnel needed to enable the director to accomplish the
1205+39 duties of the director's office.
1206+40 SECTION 12. An emergency is declared for this act.
12121207 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 28
1213-1 guidelines as described in IC 20-35-14-5.
1214-2 (2) With the consent of the secretary of education and the budget
1215-3 agency, to appoint and determine salaries for any assistants and
1216-4 other personnel needed to enable the director to accomplish the
1217-5 duties of the director's office.
1218-6 SECTION 12. An emergency is declared for this act.
1219-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 29
12201208 COMMITTEE REPORT
12211209 Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Education and Career
12221210 Development, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 373, has had the
12231211 same under consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the
12241212 Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as
12251213 follows:
12261214 Page 7, line 25, delete "basis." and insert "basis, which may
12271215 include differentiated funding based on the course the student is
12281216 enrolled in and the length of time of the summer school program.".
12291217 and when so amended that said bill do pass.
12301218 (Reference is to SB 373 as introduced.)
12311219 RAATZ, Chairperson
12321220 Committee Vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0.
12331221 _____
12341222 COMMITTEE REPORT
12351223 Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Education, to which was referred
12361224 Senate Bill 373, has had the same under consideration and begs leave
12371225 to report the same back to the House with the recommendation that said
12381226 bill be amended as follows:
12391227 Page 3, between lines 25 and 26, begin a new paragraph and insert:
12401228 "SECTION 3. IC 20-20-52 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
12411229 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
12421230 JULY 1, 2025]:
12431231 Chapter 52. Centralized School Facilities Pilot Program and
12441232 Local Boards
12451233 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local board" refers to a:
12461234 (1) local centralized school facilities board established under
12471235 section 6(a) of this chapter; or
12481236 (2) if applicable, local centralized school facilities and
12491237 transportation board established under section 6(e) of this
12501238 chapter.
12511239 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" means the
12521240 centralized school facilities pilot program established by section 4
12531241 of this chapter.
12541242 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a:
12551243 (1) charter school; or
1256-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 30
1244+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 29
12571245 (2) nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee.
12581246 Sec. 4. (a) The centralized school facilities pilot program is
12591247 established to provide innovative approaches concerning the use,
12601248 operation, and management of school facilities to promote:
12611249 (1) enhanced learning environments;
12621250 (2) unique learning opportunities; and
12631251 (3) improved student academic and health outcomes;
12641252 in accordance with the plan submitted to the general assembly by
12651253 the secretary of education under IC 20-19-3-32.
12661254 (b) The pilot program is established for a three (3) year period
12671255 consisting of the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school
12681256 years.
12691257 Sec. 5. (a) A school corporation or school, in partnership with
12701258 other school corporations, schools, or both other school
12711259 corporations and schools, may apply to the department to
12721260 participate in the pilot program.
12731261 (b) The department:
12741262 (1) may approve not more than a total of three (3)
12751263 applications under this section to participate in the pilot
12761264 program; and
12771265 (2) shall establish the application process and criteria to
12781266 participate in the pilot program.
12791267 (c) The criteria established under subsection (b)(2) must require
12801268 that school corporations and schools include information
12811269 concerning the geographic boundaries of the area to which the
12821270 application to participate in the pilot program applies.
12831271 Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided under subsection (e), not later
12841272 than October 31, 2025, a local centralized school facilities board is
12851273 established for participating school corporations and schools.
12861274 (b) Each local board must be independent from any school
12871275 corporation and school.
12881276 (c) The local board consists of seven (7) members who:
12891277 (1) are proportionately appointed as either representatives of
12901278 participating school corporations, charter schools, or
12911279 nonpublic schools described in section 3(2) of this chapter
12921280 based on:
12931281 (A) the total pupil enrollment of the participating school
12941282 corporations;
12951283 (B) the total pupil enrollment of participating charter
12961284 schools; and
12971285 (C) the total pupil enrollment of participating nonpublic
12981286 schools;
1299-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 31
1287+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 30
13001288 that are partnering under the pilot program; and
13011289 (2) are members of the:
13021290 (A) governing body of a participating school corporation;
13031291 (B) charter school board of a participating charter school;
13041292 or
13051293 (C) equivalent of a governing body for a participating
13061294 nonpublic school;
13071295 described in subdivision (1).
13081296 (d) Each local board must collaborate with individuals or
13091297 entities that have expertise in the following:
13101298 (1) Facility management, construction, or real estate.
13111299 (2) Public finance or public debt issuance.
13121300 (3) Demographic analysis and urban planning.
13131301 (4) Organizational effectiveness, operations management, and
13141302 implementing best practices.
13151303 (5) Government contracts.
13161304 (6) Budget development and oversight.
13171305 (e) If a school corporation or school, in partnership with other
13181306 school corporations, schools, or both other school corporations and
13191307 schools, receives approval to participate in the:
13201308 (1) pilot program; and
13211309 (2) student transportation pilot program under IC 20-20-53;
13221310 the school corporation or schools may elect to establish, not later
13231311 than October 31, 2025, one (1) local centralized school facilities and
13241312 transportation board consisting of the members described in
13251313 subsection (c) that has the powers and duties and is subject to the
13261314 requirements of a local centralized school facilities board under
13271315 this chapter and local student transportation board under
13281316 IC 20-20-53.
13291317 Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, each local
13301318 board shall, during the pilot program, provide oversight and
13311319 management of school facilities with a focus on best use and
13321320 upkeep of assets funded by taxpayers.
13331321 Sec. 8. (a) Each local board shall create and implement a pilot
13341322 program plan that includes measures to:
13351323 (1) determine the:
13361324 (A) term lengths of the members; and
13371325 (B) member replacement processes;
13381326 for the local board;
13391327 (2) conduct school facility assessments for all applicable
13401328 school facilities;
13411329 (3) implement a process to approve or deny any levy requests
1342-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 32
1330+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 31
13431331 related to capital expenditures;
13441332 (4) implement a process to receive and distribute tax revenue,
13451333 as needed;
13461334 (5) improve the health and safety of students and teachers;
13471335 (6) allow for additional flexibility and creativity in terms of
13481336 what is considered a school facility, including considerations
13491337 surrounding colocation with other schools, governmental
13501338 entities, or community organizations;
13511339 (7) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
13521340 agreements for all school facilities within the geographic
13531341 boundaries described in the application under section 5(c) of
13541342 this chapter for the three (3) year period of the pilot program;
13551343 (8) address any existing excess capacity in school facilities;
13561344 (9) inspire opportunities for partnership with other
13571345 governmental entities or local nonprofit organizations to
13581346 transform school facilities into broader community assets for
13591347 residents;
13601348 (10) implement best practices in facilities management and
13611349 operations;
13621350 (11) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
13631351 success of the pilot program;
13641352 (12) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
13651353 department regarding school facilities included in the pilot
13661354 program;
13671355 (13) manage any school facility related debt for the duration
13681356 of the pilot program; and
13691357 (14) implement a maintenance plan and contract with
13701358 vendors, as needed, for the duration of the pilot program.
13711359 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
13721360 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
13731361 includes the following:
13741362 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
13751363 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
13761364 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
13771365 and
13781366 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
13791367 should be maintained or a new local board should be
13801368 established.
13811369 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
13821370 components:
13831371 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
13841372 including the appointing authority for the members.
1385-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 33
1373+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 32
13861374 (B) The term lengths of the members.
13871375 (C) The member replacement process.
13881376 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
13891377 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
13901378 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
13911379 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
13921380 school facilities to the local board or new local board.
13931381 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
13941382 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
13951383 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
13961384 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
13971385 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
13981386 section 6 of this chapter:
13991387 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
14001388 this chapter; and
14011389 (2) has the authority to approve or deny any property tax levy
14021390 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
14031391 participating school corporations.
14041392 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside individuals
14051393 and entities to create and implement the pilot program plan
14061394 described in section 8(a) of this chapter.
14071395 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
14081396 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
14091397 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
14101398 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
14111399 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
14121400 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
14131401 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
14141402 participation under this chapter.
14151403 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
14161404 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
14171405 shall do the following:
14181406 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
14191407 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
14201408 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
14211409 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
14221410 chapter.
14231411 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
14241412 format under IC 5-14-6.
14251413 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
14261414 do the following:
14271415 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
1428-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 34
1416+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 33
14291417 (A) A summary regarding the:
14301418 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
14311419 pilot program;
14321420 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
14331421 board;
14341422 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
14351423 and
14361424 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
14371425 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
14381426 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
14391427 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
14401428 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
14411429 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
14421430 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
14431431 applicants.
14441432 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
14451433 statewide.
14461434 (2) Submit the plan to the legislative council in an electronic
14471435 format under IC 5-14-6.
14481436 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
14491437 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
14501438 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
14511439 pilot program under this chapter.
14521440 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
14531441 purposes of this chapter.
14541442 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
14551443 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
14561444 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
14571445 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
14581446 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
14591447 SECTION 4. IC 20-20-53 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
14601448 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
14611449 JULY 1, 2025]:
14621450 Chapter 53. Student Transportation Pilot Program and Local
14631451 Boards
14641452 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local board" refers to a:
14651453 (1) local student transportation board established under
14661454 section 6(a) of this chapter; or
14671455 (2) if applicable, local centralized school facilities and
14681456 transportation board established under section 6(e) of this
14691457 chapter.
14701458 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
1471-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 35
1459+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 34
14721460 student transportation pilot program established by section 4 of
14731461 this chapter.
14741462 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a:
14751463 (1) charter school; or
14761464 (2) nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee.
14771465 Sec. 4. (a) The student transportation pilot program is
14781466 established to provide transportation to all students attending:
14791467 (1) school corporations;
14801468 (2) charter schools; and
14811469 (3) nonpublic schools with at least one (1) employee;
14821470 within the geographic boundaries described in the application
14831471 under section 5(c) of this chapter.
14841472 (b) The pilot program is established for a three (3) year period
14851473 consisting of the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school
14861474 years.
14871475 Sec. 5. (a) A school corporation or school, in partnership with
14881476 other school corporations, schools, or both school corporations and
14891477 schools, may apply to the department to participate in the pilot
14901478 program.
14911479 (b) The department:
14921480 (1) may approve not more than a total of three (3)
14931481 applications under this section to participate in the pilot
14941482 program; and
14951483 (2) shall establish the application process and criteria to
14961484 participate in the pilot program.
14971485 (c) The criteria established under subsection (b)(2) must require
14981486 that school corporations and schools include information
14991487 concerning the geographic boundaries of the area to which the
15001488 application to participate in the pilot program applies.
15011489 Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided under subsection (e), not later
15021490 than October 31, 2025, a local student transportation board is
15031491 established for participating school corporations and schools.
15041492 (b) Each local board must be independent from any school
15051493 corporation and school.
15061494 (c) The local board consists of seven (7) members who:
15071495 (1) are proportionately appointed as either representatives of
15081496 participating school corporations, charter schools, or
15091497 nonpublic schools described in section 3(2) of this chapter
15101498 based on:
15111499 (A) the total pupil enrollment of the participating school
15121500 corporations;
15131501 (B) the total pupil enrollment of participating charter
1514-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 36
1502+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 35
15151503 schools; and
15161504 (C) the total pupil enrollment of participating nonpublic
15171505 schools;
15181506 that are partnering under the pilot program; and
15191507 (2) are members of the:
15201508 (A) governing body of a participating school corporation;
15211509 (B) charter school board of a participating charter school;
15221510 or
15231511 (C) equivalent of a governing body for a participating
15241512 nonpublic school;
15251513 described in subdivision (1).
15261514 (d) Each local board must collaborate with individuals or
15271515 entities that have expertise in the following:
15281516 (1) Transportation logistics, particularly involving movement
15291517 of passengers.
15301518 (2) Finance and business.
15311519 (3) Organizational effectiveness, operations management, and
15321520 implementing best practices.
15331521 (4) Government contracts.
15341522 (5) Budget development and oversight.
15351523 (e) If a school corporation or school, in partnership with other
15361524 school corporations, schools, or both other school corporations and
15371525 schools, receives approval to participate in the:
15381526 (1) pilot program; and
15391527 (2) centralized school facilities pilot program under
15401528 IC 20-20-52;
15411529 the school corporation or schools may elect to establish, not later
15421530 than October 31, 2025, one (1) local centralized school facilities and
15431531 transportation board that has the powers and duties and is subject
15441532 to the requirements of a local centralized school facilities board
15451533 under IC 20-20-52 and local student transportation board under
15461534 this chapter.
15471535 Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, each local
15481536 board shall be responsible for the oversight and management of the
15491537 transportation of students described in section 4 of this chapter in
15501538 a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the plan submitted
15511539 to the general assembly by the secretary of education under
15521540 IC 20-19-3-33.
15531541 Sec. 8. (a) Each local board shall create and implement a pilot
15541542 program plan that includes measures to:
15551543 (1) determine the:
15561544 (A) term lengths of the members; and
1557-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 37
1545+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 36
15581546 (B) member replacement processes;
15591547 for the local board;
15601548 (2) allow for additional flexibility and creativity to
15611549 accommodate student needs throughout the school day,
15621550 including transportation:
15631551 (A) to and from school;
15641552 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
15651553 (C) for work based learning experiences;
15661554 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
15671555 (E) for specialized educational opportunities;
15681556 (3) improve safety and efficiency for students;
15691557 (4) increase collaboration between school corporations,
15701558 schools, governmental entities, and community organizations;
15711559 (5) track qualitative and quantitative data to gauge the
15721560 success of the pilot program;
15731561 (6) collect and report data in a manner prescribed by the
15741562 department regarding the pilot program;
15751563 (7) provide uninterrupted transportation services for
15761564 homeless students or students in foster care as provided by
15771565 the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
15781566 Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.);
15791567 (8) inspire opportunities for public-private partnerships or
15801568 partnerships with other governmental entities or local
15811569 nonprofit organizations;
15821570 (9) enter into revenue sharing agreements and asset use
15831571 agreements with participating school corporations and
15841572 schools for the duration of the three (3) year period of the
15851573 pilot program;
15861574 (10) manage any transportation related debt for the three (3)
15871575 year period of the pilot program; and
15881576 (11) implement purchasing and maintenance plans and
15891577 contracts with vendors, as needed, for the three (3) year
15901578 period of the pilot program.
15911579 (b) Not later than July 1, 2028, each local board shall develop
15921580 and submit to the department an implementation plan that
15931581 includes the following:
15941582 (1) Whether at the conclusion of the pilot program the:
15951583 (A) participating school corporations and schools, as
15961584 applicable, elect to continue operating with a local board;
15971585 and
15981586 (B) local board established under section 6 of this chapter
15991587 should be maintained or a new local board should be
1600-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 38
1588+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 37
16011589 established.
16021590 (2) If a new local board should be established, the following
16031591 components:
16041592 (A) The appointment of members to the new local board,
16051593 including the appointing authority for the members.
16061594 (B) The term lengths of the members.
16071595 (C) The member replacement process.
16081596 (3) A process to ensure that the powers and duties under this
16091597 chapter are maintained by the local board or transferred to
16101598 the new local board after completion of the pilot program.
16111599 (4) The transfer of all assets and related funding regarding
16121600 school transportation to the local board or new local board.
16131601 (5) The development and implementation of a long term asset
16141602 management and sustainability plan that includes establishing
16151603 the local board or new local board as a taxing unit.
16161604 Sec. 9. Notwithstanding any other state law or rule, beginning
16171605 with the 2026-2027 school year, each local board established under
16181606 section 6 of this chapter:
16191607 (1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
16201608 this chapter, including providing transportation services to
16211609 students described in section 4 of this chapter; and
16221610 (2) has the authority to approve or deny any property tax levy
16231611 approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
16241612 participating school corporations.
16251613 Sec. 10. Each local board may contract with outside entities to
16261614 create and implement the pilot program plan described in section
16271615 8(a) of this chapter.
16281616 Sec. 11. Subject to any agreement entered into by a school
16291617 corporation or school, a school corporation or school may at any
16301618 time opt out of participating in the pilot program if the school
16311619 corporation or school provides notice to all school corporations
16321620 and schools that the school corporation or school partnered with
16331621 under this chapter at least one (1) year before the school
16341622 corporation or school intends to terminate the partnership and its
16351623 participation under this chapter.
16361624 Sec. 12. Not later than November 1, 2027, the department of
16371625 local government finance, in consultation with the department,
16381626 shall do the following:
16391627 (1) Prepare a report that includes recommendations
16401628 regarding legislation and procedures to transfer the duties
16411629 and powers of a participating school corporation to a local
16421630 board or new local board as described in section 8(b) of this
1643-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 39
1631+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 38
16441632 chapter.
16451633 (2) Submit the report to the legislative council in an electronic
16461634 format under IC 5-14-6.
16471635 Sec. 13. Not later than November 1, 2028, the department shall
16481636 do the following:
16491637 (1) Prepare a report that includes the following:
16501638 (A) A summary regarding the:
16511639 (i) school corporations and schools participating in the
16521640 pilot program;
16531641 (ii) implementation of the pilot program by each local
16541642 board;
16551643 (iii) results and outcomes regarding the pilot program;
16561644 and
16571645 (iv) implementation plans submitted by the local boards
16581646 under section 8(b) of this chapter.
16591647 (B) Any recommendations regarding:
16601648 (i) legislation or procedures to further carry out the
16611649 purposes of this chapter and an implementation plan
16621650 submitted under section 8(b) of this chapter; and
16631651 (ii) whether to extend the pilot program to additional
16641652 applicants.
16651653 (C) A plan to adopt best practices from the pilot program
16661654 statewide.
16671655 (2) Submit the plan to the legislative council in an electronic
16681656 format under IC 5-14-6.
16691657 Sec. 14. The department shall waive any state law or rule
16701658 requirement necessary to exempt participating school corporations
16711659 and schools from requirements for purposes of participation in the
16721660 pilot program under this chapter.
16731661 Sec. 15. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the
16741662 purposes of this chapter.
16751663 Sec. 16. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, to the
16761664 extent the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the
16771665 provisions of any other general, special, or local law, the provisions
16781666 of this chapter are controlling, and compliance with this chapter
16791667 shall be treated as compliance with the conflicting law.
16801668 SECTION 5. IC 20-20-54 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
16811669 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
16821670 JULY 1, 2025]:
16831671 Chapter 54. Mastery Based Education Pilot Program
16841672 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "mastery" means evidenced
16851673 attainment of predefined, rigorous learning objectives that:
1686-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 40
1674+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 39
16871675 (1) are transferable; and
16881676 (2) qualify a student for advancement to subsequent
16891677 educational levels or competencies.
16901678 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "mastery based education"
16911679 means an innovative, learner centered approach to teaching and
16921680 learning that focuses on the mastery of specific skills or knowledge
16931681 areas rather than the amount of time spent in a classroom.
16941682 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the
16951683 mastery based education pilot program established by section 4 of
16961684 this chapter.
16971685 Sec. 4. (a) The mastery based education pilot program is
16981686 established to support a school corporation or charter school that
16991687 is selected by the department under subsection (b) in implementing
17001688 mastery based education.
17011689 (b) The department:
17021690 (1) shall administer the pilot program; and
17031691 (2) may select school corporations and charter schools that
17041692 meet the requirements under this chapter to participate in the
17051693 pilot program.
17061694 Sec. 5. (a) To apply for participation in the pilot program, a
17071695 school corporation or charter school shall do the following:
17081696 (1) Apply on a form and in a manner established by the
17091697 department.
17101698 (2) Develop and submit a plan to the department that includes
17111699 the following:
17121700 (A) A description of the following:
17131701 (i) The educational programming the school corporation
17141702 or charter school intends to offer, including specific goals
17151703 and the measurable student outcomes to be obtained by
17161704 the school corporation or charter school.
17171705 (ii) How mastery based student performance will be
17181706 used, measured, evaluated, and reported by the school
17191707 corporation or charter school.
17201708 (iii) Any business, postsecondary educational institutions,
17211709 or community partners with which the school
17221710 corporation or charter school intends to work.
17231711 (B) If the school corporation or charter school intends to
17241712 suspend any requirements under IC 20-28 as listed in
17251713 section 8(a)(2) of this chapter or IC 20-29, the school
17261714 corporation's or charter school's criteria and goals for
17271715 teacher quality, training, and compensation.
17281716 (b) The department shall do the following:
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17301718 (1) Subject to subdivision (2), approve or deny an application
17311719 and plan submitted by a school corporation or charter school
17321720 under this section.
17331721 (2) Approve an application and plan only if the department
17341722 determines that the plan:
17351723 (A) will promote innovative educational approaches to
17361724 student learning; and
17371725 (B) is likely to improve student performance and outcomes.
17381726 Sec. 6. If a school corporation or charter school participates in
17391727 the pilot program, the school corporation or charter school shall
17401728 post the school corporation's or charter school's plan approved by
17411729 the department under section 5 of this chapter on the school
17421730 corporation's or charter school's website.
17431731 Sec. 7. (a) The department may make reasonable requests for
17441732 information from a school corporation or charter school
17451733 participating in the pilot program for the purpose of assessing the
17461734 effectiveness of the plan.
17471735 (b) A school corporation or charter school shall respond to a
17481736 request for information under subsection (a) in a form, manner,
17491737 and frequency determined by the department.
17501738 Sec. 8. (a) Any of the following may be suspended for a school
17511739 corporation or charter school in accordance with the school
17521740 corporation's or charter school's plan approved under section 5 of
17531741 this chapter:
17541742 (1) Any statute or rule that may be suspended under
17551743 IC 20-26.5-2-3.
17561744 (2) Any provision under the following:
17571745 (A) IC 20-28-3.
17581746 (B) IC 20-28-4.
17591747 (C) IC 20-28-7.5.
17601748 (D) IC 20-28-8.
17611749 (E) IC 20-28-9.
17621750 (F) IC 20-28-11.5.
17631751 (G) IC 20-28-12.
17641752 (H) IC 20-29.
17651753 (I) IC 20-30-2-2.
17661754 (J) IC 20-30-4.
17671755 (b) After a school corporation or charter school has participated
17681756 for at least three (3) years in the pilot program, the department
17691757 may:
17701758 (1) revoke the suspension of any statute or rule under
17711759 subsection (a) for the school corporation or charter school; or
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1760+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 41
17731761 (2) terminate the participation of the school corporation or
17741762 charter school in the pilot program;
17751763 if the department determines that the school corporation or
17761764 charter school has not met the specific goals and the measurable
17771765 student outcomes in the school corporation's or charter school's
17781766 plan approved under section 5 of this chapter.
17791767 Sec. 9. This chapter expires June 30, 2035.
17801768 SECTION 6. IC 20-25-17 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
17811769 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
17821770 UPON PASSAGE]:
17831771 Chapter 17. Indianapolis Local Education Alliance
17841772 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "alliance" refers to the
17851773 Indianapolis local education alliance established by section 2 of this
17861774 chapter.
17871775 Sec. 2. (a) The Indianapolis local education alliance is
17881776 established.
17891777 (b) The alliance consists of the following nine (9) members:
17901778 (1) The superintendent of the school city or the
17911779 superintendent's designee.
17921780 (2) The mayor of a consolidated city or the mayor's designee.
17931781 (3) One (1) member appointed by the president of the board
17941782 who is not a member of the board.
17951783 (4) Four (4) members appointed by the mayor described in
17961784 subdivision (2), one (1) of whom is a representative of
17971785 business.
17981786 (5) Two (2) members appointed by the superintendent of the
17991787 school city as follows:
18001788 (A) A representative of parents who:
18011789 (i) reside; and
18021790 (ii) have students attending an innovation network
18031791 charter school (as defined in IC 20-25.7-3-6) located;
18041792 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
18051793 (B) A representative of parents who:
18061794 (i) reside within the geographic boundaries of the school
18071795 city; and
18081796 (ii) have students who are enrolled in and attend a school
18091797 maintained and operated by the school city.
18101798 (c) The mayor or the mayor's designee under subsection (b)(2)
18111799 serves as the chairperson of the alliance. A quorum of the members
18121800 must be present for the alliance to take any official action. A
18131801 quorum consists of a majority of the members of the alliance. An
18141802 affirmative vote by a majority of the members present is needed
1815-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 43
1803+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 42
18161804 for the alliance to make a recommendation or take any official
18171805 action.
18181806 (d) The first meeting of the alliance must be held not later than
18191807 July 1, 2025.
18201808 (e) The alliance operates independently from the school city.
18211809 Sec. 3. (a) The alliance shall do the following:
18221810 (1) Conduct school facility assessments for all applicable
18231811 public school, including charter school, facilities located
18241812 within the geographic boundaries of the school city.
18251813 (2) Develop a facilities and transportation implementation
18261814 plan that includes the following components:
18271815 (A) A long term asset management and sustainability plan,
18281816 including a seat capacity target formula, that includes
18291817 establishing a local governing board as a taxing unit or
18301818 another sustainable revenue plan.
18311819 (B) Recommendations regarding additional school facility
18321820 structural changes necessary to achieve the desired result
18331821 for a collaborative system of schools that can serve all
18341822 students within the geographic boundaries of the school
18351823 city fairly.
18361824 (C) A process to approve or deny any levy requests related
18371825 to capital expenditures.
18381826 (D) A standardized template for revenue sharing
18391827 agreements and asset use agreements for all school
18401828 facilities and transportation assets within the geographic
18411829 boundaries of the school city.
18421830 (E) A method or way to address existing excess capacity in
18431831 school facilities.
18441832 (F) A method or way to increase collaboration between
18451833 schools, governmental entities, and community
18461834 organizations, including facilitating opportunities for
18471835 partnership with other governmental entities or local
18481836 nonprofit organizations to transform school facilities into
18491837 broader community assets for residents.
18501838 (G) Ensures the provision of uninterrupted transportation
18511839 services for homeless students or students in foster care as
18521840 provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
18531841 Assistance Improvements Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
18541842 (H) Best practices in facilities management and operations.
18551843 (I) A system to track qualitative and quantitative data to
18561844 gauge the success of the plan.
18571845 (J) A system to manage any school facility or
1858-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 44
1846+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 43
18591847 transportation related debt.
18601848 (K) Recommendations regarding purchasing and
18611849 maintenance plans and contracts with vendors, as needed.
18621850 (L) A summary of the school facility assessments for all
18631851 applicable school facilities and recommendations based on
18641852 the assessments.
18651853 (M) An approach in which schools located within the
18661854 geographic boundaries of the school city will participate or
18671855 opt into participation in the implementation plan and at
18681856 what service level the schools may participate or opt in.
18691857 (N) The participation of all students in a single enrollment
18701858 system.
18711859 (b) In developing the plan under subsection (a)(2), the alliance
18721860 shall consider additional flexibility and creativity regarding:
18731861 (1) what is considered a school facility, including
18741862 considerations surrounding colocation with other schools,
18751863 governmental entities, or community organizations; and
18761864 (2) ways to accommodate student needs throughout the school
18771865 day, including transportation:
18781866 (A) to and from school;
18791867 (B) for before and after school opportunities;
18801868 (C) for work based learning experiences;
18811869 (D) for extracurricular activities; and
18821870 (E) for specialized educational opportunities.
18831871 Sec. 4. The alliance may:
18841872 (1) contract with outside entities in developing the plan under
18851873 section 3 of this chapter; and
18861874 (2) include the following recommendations in the
18871875 implementation plan developed under section 3(a)(2) of this
18881876 chapter:
18891877 (A) The governance structure for a collaborative school
18901878 system.
18911879 (B) Opportunities for increased efficiency for the central
18921880 office of the school city.
18931881 (C) Future referendum planning.
18941882 (D) School consolidation.
18951883 (E) The expansion of high quality academic programming.
18961884 (F) Uniform school performance frameworks for all
18971885 schools within the collaborative school system.
18981886 (G) Special education policies.
18991887 Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to a proposed new charter
19001888 school if the organizer of the proposed new charter school
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1889+ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 44
19021890 submitted to an authorizer on or before April 1, 2025, the proposal
19031891 to establish the new charter school.
19041892 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, a
19051893 charter may not be granted by an authorizer for a new charter
19061894 school located within the boundaries of the school city except by
19071895 the executive (as defined in IC 36-1-2-5) of a consolidated city.
19081896 Sec. 6. Not later than December 31, 2025, the alliance shall
19091897 submit the school facilities and transportation implementation plan
19101898 to the following:
19111899 (1) The secretary of education.
19121900 (2) The board.
19131901 (3) The mayor described in section 2(b)(2) of this chapter.
19141902 (4) The legislative council in an electronic format under
19151903 IC 5-14-6.
19161904 Sec. 7. This chapter expires March 30, 2026.".
19171905 Page 12, delete lines 9 through 21, begin a new paragraph and
19181906 insert:
19191907 "SECTION 14. An emergency is declared for this act.".
19201908 Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
19211909 and when so amended that said bill do pass.
19221910 (Reference is to SB 373 as printed January 24, 2025.)
19231911 BEHNING
19241912 Committee Vote: yeas 9, nays 3.
1925-_____
1926-HOUSE MOTION
1927-Mr. Speaker: I move that Engrossed Senate Bill 373 be amended to
1928-read as follows:
1929-Page 5, delete lines 41 through 42, begin a new line block indented
1930-and insert:
1931-"(3) establish a process for the transfer to and receipt of
1932-funds, as applicable, by the local board from the participating
1933-school corporations and schools;
1934-(4) accept and use donations, gifts, or bequests for the
1935-purposes of this chapter;".
1936-Page 6, delete lines 1 and 2.
1937-Page 7, line 13, after "under" insert "the pilot program plan
1938-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 46
1939-created under section 8(a) of".
1940-Page 7, delete lines 15 through 17, begin a new line block indented
1941-and insert:
1942-"(2) shall make recommendations regarding property tax
1943-levies approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
1944-participating school corporations.".
1945-Page 8, line 17, delete "plan" and insert "report".
1946-Page 11, delete lines 28 through 29, begin a new line block indented
1947-and insert:
1948-"(10) establish a process for the transfer to and receipt of
1949-funds, as applicable, by the local board from the participating
1950-school corporations and schools;
1951-(11) accept and use donations, gifts, or bequests for the
1952-purposes of this chapter; and".
1953-Page 11, line 30, delete "(11)" and insert "(12)".
1954-Page 12, delete lines 18 through 23, begin a new line block indented
1955-and insert:
1956-"(1) shall exercise the full powers and duties provided under
1957-the pilot program plan created under section 8(a) of this
1958-chapter; and
1959-(2) shall make recommendations regarding property tax levies
1960-approved by the governing bodies of the applicable
1961-participating school corporations.".
1962-Page 13, line 23, delete "plan" and insert "report".
1963-(Reference is to ESB 373 as printed April 9, 2025.)
1964-BEHNING
1965-_____
1966-HOUSE MOTION
1967-Mr. Speaker: I move that Engrossed Senate Bill 373 be amended to
1968-read as follows:
1969-Page 8, line 17, delete "plan" and insert "report".
1970-Page 13, line 23, delete "plan" and insert "report".
1971-Page 15, delete lines 26 through 36, begin a new line block indented
1972-and insert:
1973-"(2) Any provision under the following:
1974-(A) IC 20-28-4.
1975-(B) IC 20-28-11.5.
1976-ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143 47
1977-(C) IC 20-29.
1978-(D) IC 20-30-2-2.
1979-(E) IC 20-30-4.".
1980-(Reference is to ESB 373 as printed April 9, 2025.)
1981-BEHNING
1982-_____
1983-HOUSE MOTION
1984-Mr. Speaker: I move that Engrossed Senate Bill 373 be amended to
1985-read as follows:
1986-Page 15, between lines 36 and 37, begin a new line block indented
1987-and insert:
1988-"(3) Subject to subsection (b), any provisions under the
1989-statewide assessment program under IC 20-32-5.1.
1990-(b) A statewide assessment program test requirement may not
1991-be suspended under subsection (a)(3) unless the department has
1992-received a waiver from the assessment requirements of the federal
1993-Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 U.S.C. 6311) and approval
1994-for one (1) or more alternate assessments for school corporations
1995-and charter schools participating in the pilot program.".
1996-Page 15, line 37, delete "(b)" and insert "(c)".
1997-(Reference is to ESB 373 as printed April 9, 2025.)
1998-BEHNING
19991913 ES 373—LS 7358/DI 143