Without telling IDOE, Todd Rokita launches portal to report inappropriate school materials

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita launched an “Eyes on Education” portal Tuesday to allow anyone to submit “inappropriate” materials they find in Indiana schools, without notifying the Indiana Department of Education, which oversees Hoosier schools, about the construction or launch of the site.

The portal invites anyone to upload educational materials being used in Indiana classrooms that are "objectionable" or that violate Indiana law.

Rokita said the new portal is meant to provide more transparency for parents on what is being taught in schools and a way to fight back against “socialist indoctrination” happening in schools.

“As I travel the state, I regularly hear from students, parents and teachers about destructive curricula, policies or programs in our schools,” said Rokita in a news release. “Our kids need to focus on fundamental educational building blocks, NOT ideology that divides kids from their parents and normal society.”

Material submitted to the portal will be regularly published online for anyone to view after the attorney general's office reviews it.

Submissions may involve materials at K-12 schools, colleges, universities or other affiliated academic entities, the news release said.

Rokita’s office may follow up and investigate any material submitted to see if it violates Indiana law. Any findings from an investigation may also be published on that portal, Rokita's office said.

A spokesperson with the Indiana Department of Education told IndyStar that Rokita's office did not consult the department prior to launching this portal. The IDOE is responsible for overseeing all curriculum standards in the state which all schools in Indiana must follow to be accredited.

Rokita's office did not respond to questions from IndyStar Tuesday about IDOE's statement that the attorney general's office did not inform the department about the site.

The portal’s website does not specify what is deemed “objectionable curricular, policies or programs affecting children” but says that education should focus on fundamentals, “not political ideology – either left or right.”

The portal already shows documentation submitted for 13 school corporations and one higher education institution, Indiana University's School of Medicine.

Most of the posted materials deal with objections to school reading materials, gender support plan policies, white privilege, the Black Lives Matter movement and school diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

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The Noblesville Schools district and Hamilton Southeastern Schools have materials listed on the portal.

Officials at both school districts told IndyStar that the materials listed are not used anymore. They encouraged parents with concerns to reach out to individual schools or district websites to view specific curriculums used.

“We believe in transparency and family engagement,” said Emily Abbotts, director of school and community relations for HSE. “As always, parents are encouraged to bring their questions or concerns to our school and/or district administration.”

Carmel Clay Schools also has multiple documents listed on the portal. District officials told IndyStar that Rokita’s office did not tell them about the new website nor did the office ask to confirm the validity of the submitted documentation.

“Multiple documents clearly originated from a now-defunct outside special interest group, and others appear to be online quizzes with no additional context provided,” said Emily Bauer, director of community relations for Carmel Clay Schools. “As a tool for purported transparency, it is irresponsible to portray these screenshots as curriculum, as CCS follows the Indiana State Standards.”

A long-time supporter of the “parental rights” movement, Rokita has published his own “Parents’ Bill of Rights” where he details what Indiana law says about the information parents have the right to access regarding their children's education.

IndyStar reporter Brittany Carloni contributed to this reporting.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.

Caroline’s reporting is made possible by Report for America and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Todd Rokita launches portal for school materials, does not tell IDOE