Education was a hot topic this session. Here's what parents will notice next school year
Indiana passed a slew of education bills this year affecting kindergarten through college students and surrounding topics like high school workforce opportunities, textbook fees and politics in school assignments.
More: These new laws will impact Hoosiers' daily lives
Here's what changes parents and students may notice next school year.
Textbook fees
Families are slated to no longer have to pay for their student's textbooks. The state has set aside $160 million dollars per year in the state budget to take the burden off both parents and schools to pay.
This is included in the state budget, which is on Gov. Eric Holcomb's desk.
High school career development
While high schools already have a career and technical education program, House Bill 1002 will provide more students with workforce, post-secondary and career opportunities through a new allotment of money and several state funds.
High school juniors and seniors would be required to meet with one post-secondary institution, employer or job placement agency for at least 30 minutes. Parents can opt-out, and schools can waive the requirement if arranging meetings proves difficult.
Schools would also be required to host or transport students to one career fair during school hours.
Holcomb has yet to sign or veto the bill.
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Student aid requirement
High school seniors and their parents will be required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 15 each year. Families can opt-out through signing a waiver or if the school is unable to contact the parents.
Students who apply for federal aid could be eligible for specialty scholarships, grants and federal low-interest loans. A high-need student could receive as much as $6,800 in grants.
The application asks for student and parent financial information. The federal government will release a simpler application for the 2024-25 school year and expand grant and loan eligibility.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 167 April 20.
Push for FAFSA: Indiana students lose out on $70M annually in college grants. This bill could help
Retaking virtual pandemic classes
Current high school students can retake classes they took online during the pandemic for a better grade in House Bill 1638. Students are eligible if the new course is the same subject matter, not virtual and at the same school.
Students who retook a course prior to July 1, 2023, can petition their superintendent for credit if they fulfill those requirements.
Holcomb has yet to sign the bill.
Book banning
If a parent or community member has an issue with a library book, school libraries would be required to have a review process to decide whether the material could be considered obscene or harmful. Opponents are concerned it will lead to books about the LGBTQ community and people of color being banned.
Republican lawmakers say House Bill 1447 will make content safer and more appropriate.
A prosecutor ultimately could decide to charge a school librarian with a felony, according to the bill.
The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.
What's the debate: Indiana House, Senate agree on measure to ban books from school libraries
Political viewpoints
Teachers cannot require students to take a political stance or lobby for an issue for a grade or extra credit unless the student has the option to take on an alternative position.
Democratic lawmakers and teacher unions worry House Bill 1447 would chill opportunities within structured class debates, mock elections and class government projects — such as a West Lafayette second grade class lobbying to make the Say's firefly Indiana's state insect to learn about how the lawmaking process works.
The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.
Student survey questions
Written parental consent would be required before students can take any school surveys asking about their attitudes, habits and feelings in House Bill 1447. The consent form would include the content of the survey for parents to review.
Schools would also be required to post a copy the evaluation online with why they are choosing to administer it to students.
The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.
Financial literacy class
Starting with the Class of 2028, students would be required to take a financial responsibility class. The course would cover how to manage a bank account, credit score, debt and taxes.
Holcomb has not yet decided on Senate Bill 35.
Transgender students
Teachers would be required to notify parent in writing within five days if a child requests to use a different name or pronouns at school. Human sexuality would also prohibited from being taught to pre-kindergarten to third grade students, which the teachers union already says isn't included in the curriculum.
LGBTQ advocates worry that transgender kids could be potentially "outed" by their teachers to their parents.
Earlier renditions of House Bill 1608 required parental consent for a name or pronoun change and was considered a "Don't say Gay" bill because it would have restricted instruction on gender orientation. However, this language was not included in the final bill and these measures will not implemented in schools.
The governor has not signed or vetoed the bill yet.
The details: Indiana Senate pares down bill targeting student pronouns
Preventing bullying
In House Bill 1483, schools are to notify parents if their child is involved in an instance of bullying whether they are the victim or perpetrator. The bill also creates a way for students to transfer based on the severity of bullying.
Holcomb has not yet signed the bill.
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Robotics funding
Schools may see an influx of funding to start or further support their robotics teams after lawmakers OK'd a state grant program for the initiative. Lawmakers hope the move provides more STEM and hands-on opportunities for students and inspires them to pursue careers in the field.
House Bill 1382 details that grants will be given in effort to increase the number of teams all over the state. Schools would have to meet curricula, like requiring a competition sponsor, a team mentor and a spending plan, to qualify for additional funding.
Holcomb has yet to sign or veto the bill.
Teacher firearm training
While teachers can already carry a gun with their school district's permission, schools would be able to now request state funding to offset costs for teachers to receive training on how to use a firearm. A school can also ask for money to cover student and staff counseling if a school shooting occurs as well.
Holcomb has not yet signed or vetoed House Bill 1177.
Transcript access
If a person has outstanding debt with an Indiana college or university, the institution cannot deny them their transcripts as long as they are working to pay off what is owed.
Current or former students who owe $1,000 or less will have to pay $100 off their debt within a year. Anyone owing over over $1,000 either $300 or 10% of the total — whichever is lower.
The U.S. Department of Education called for the practice of colleges withhold transcripts for debt to be eradicated in 2021. Lawmakers hope the change will reduce barriers for Hoosiers to get jobs and re-enroll in post-secondary education to eventually pay down that debt.
Holcomb signed Senate Bill 404 April 20.
Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Cate Charron at ccharron@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @catecharron.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: These new laws will impact Indiana classrooms, students
