Education Bills to Be Read This Week 3/12 - Updated 3/26

Call to Action
The three bills listed below will be heard on Monday. Please email your legislators. 

**UPDATE: HB1315 (#3) is the biggest concern on Wednesday, March 14. Same concerns below apply. However, please email your local legislator.
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1. SB65 - Instruction on human sexuality.

UPDATE: Moves on as is to Senate for Concurrence on Wednesday, 3/14

Public schools are for ALL students. We must make welcome, inclusive environments.
SB 65 has been sent to conference committee. Lawmakers now have the opportunity to reinsert language that would prevent teachers from discussing ANY LGBTQ issues without express written permission from parents. This kind of language would harm LGBTQ students and chill the speech of teachers. Email members of the committee & leadership NOW and tell them to keep discriminatory language out of SB 65. Please also request that the language stay as "Opt Out" rather than "Opt In."

Details are here. 

Email the follwing:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

2. SB387 -Teacher licensing.  

UPDATE - 10% language was removed from the bill. Read here. 

SB 387 started as a way to provide opportunities for teacher candidates to receive a waiver if they fail the licensing exam – an exam with possible validity issues due to disproportionately low passage rates in some content areas. However, the bill would now allow for up to 10 percent of teachers in a public school to be unlicensed. It would also allow someone with only a high school diploma and a minimum number of hours of work experience, but who passes the licensing test to teach under a career specialist permit. Indiana's children deserve licensed teachers. 

Tell your legislators to fix SB 387. Our kids deserve all of their teachers – 100 percent – to have at least a license and bachelor’s degree.

Details are here. 

Email the following: 
[email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected];[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

3. ​HB1315 - School corporation financial management.

Ask them to fix two problems in the final version:
A) Non-residents should not be on public school boards!
Outsiders should not be allowed to be voting members of the Muncie public school board. Their votes to raise property taxes on local residents would bring litigation.
B) Every public school district should have a school board!
Give the Gary public school district the dignity of having a school board like every other school district for the past 200 years, even while an emergency manager holds all the powers of the school board to correct mismanagement.

Details are here. 

Email the following:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Email your local legislator here. 

MONDAY

SB65 Monday 3/12 10:30am Room 130 - Hearing moves on to Wednesday
Instruction on human sexuality. Requires each school corporation to make available for inspection to a parent of a student instructional material used in connection with instruction on human sexuality. Provides that, before a school may provide a student with instruction on human sexuality, the school must provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, with a written request for consent of instruction. Provides that a consent form provided to a parent of a student or a student must accurately summarize the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided to the student and indicate that a parent of a student or an adult or emancipated minor student has the right to review and inspect all materials related to the instruction on human sexuality. Provides that the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, may return the consent form indicating that the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student: (1) consents to the instruction; or (2) declines instruction. Provides that, if the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, does not respond to the written request provided by the school within 21 calendar days of receiving the request, the school shall provide the parent of the student, or the adult or emancipated minor student, a written notice requesting that the parent of the student, or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, indicate whether the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student: (1) consents to the instruction; or (2) declines instruction. Provides that the parent or the adult or emancipated student may subsequently opt out of the instruction.

SB135 Senate concurred in House amendments; Roll Call 373: yeas 46, nays 0
Department of child services notifications for schools. Requires the department of child services to notify the individual designated as the point of contact for a child's school if the child is removed from the child's home. Provides immunity from civil liability for: (1) a guardian ad litem program; (2) a court appointed special advocate program; (3) an employee of or volunteer for a guardian ad litem program or court appointed special advocate program; and (4) an individual acting as a contracted guardian ad litem; when a child is placed on a waiting list for guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate services. Makes conforming amendments.

SB303 Monday 3/12 3pm Room 130 - Moves on to Wednesday
Various education matters. Provides that, on or before December 1, 2018, and periodically thereafter, the secured school safety board shall conduct a review and submit a report to the legislative council. Provides that the report: (1) must provide an overview of the current status of school safety across the state; and (2) may make recommendations to improve the safety of elementary and secondary school students. Amends dates for the following: (1) The submission of reports regarding the number of full-time equivalent students enrolled in an alternative education program. (2) Student enrollment and attendance and grant distributions regarding alternative education program grants. (3) A school corporation's count of pupils in homebound programs. (4) The submission of reports to the department of education (department) concerning scholarships awarded by a scholarship granting organization in the previous school year. Provides that an expanded child protection index check for an applicant for employment with a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school: (1) must be conducted for Indiana; and (2) may be conducted for other states. Amends requirements and defines "appropriate vehicle" with regard to the types of vehicles a school corporation may use to transport homeless students to a school of origin. Provides that the same requirements apply to the transport of students in foster care to a school of origin. Provides that a school corporation may provide summer school educational services through an online provider. Voids 511 IAC 12-2-2 which pertains to reimbursements from the department for summer school. Amends the conditions that must apply for an original school corporation and a transitional school corporation to be required to enter into an agreement concerning the responsibility for and apportionment of the costs of transporting a foster student to and from a school of origin. Provides that, to drive a school bus, an individual must have a depth perception of at least 80% or 48 seconds of arc or less angle of stereopsis. (Current law requires an individual to have a depth perception of at least 80% or 33 seconds of arc or less angle of stereopsis.) Provides that certain students who are eligible to receive a tuition and fee exemption because the students are children of a veteran must maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress, which may not be less than a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale or its equivalent as established by the eligible institution. (Current law requires the student to maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress.) Removes a provision that requires school corporations to conduct an additional cumulative count of pupils in homebound programs for informational purposes. Provides that, not later than August 1, 2019, the department's division of school building physical security and safety, in consultation with the department of homeland security, shall conduct an audit of each school corporation's school safety plan and provide an onsite safety review for each school corporation and make recommendations to the school corporation. Provides that a school that has one or more employees may barricade or block a door for a period not to exceed three minutes in the event of an unplanned fire alarm activation in order for a designated school official to investigate the alarm. Provides that the period may be extended in the event that an active shooter has been verified to be on the school's property. Provides that, on or before August 1, 2018, the state fire marshal, in consultation with the department, shall send written guidance to each school that has one or more employees that describes how a school may apply current fire safety requirements for an unplanned fire alarm activation in order to provide security to students and school staff in the event of a potential active shooter situation. 

SB387 Monday 3/12 10am Senate Chambers - Moves on to Wednesday
Teacher licensing. Provides that at least 90% of the individuals who teach full time in a public school must hold a license or be in the process of obtaining a transition to teaching license. Establishes eligibility requirements for a career specialist permit. Provides that, for school years beginning after June 30, 2018, a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if the teacher: (1) is a special education professional; or (2) teaches in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Provides that the supplemental payment is not subject to collective bargaining but must be discussed. Requires the department of education (department to post on the department's Internet web site the pass rate of the content area examination for each postsecondary educational institution. Provides that the salary increase amount attributed to an individual factor can be differentiated among individual teachers as part of a teacher salary scale. Provides that an elementary teacher may be eligible for a supplemental payment if the teacher earns a master's degree in math, reading, or literacy. (Current law provides that an elementary teacher may be eligible for a supplemental payment if the teacher receives a master's degree in math or in reading and literacy.) Provides that, before September 1, 2018, the department shall issue a request for proposals for an educator licensing exam. Provides that the department shall prepare a report that includes: (1) a list and description of each examination available in Indiana that is or could be used for teacher licensing; (2) any reciprocity for teacher licensing that other states, if any, allow for each examination; (3) the pass rates in other states for each examination; and (4) whether the individual taking the examination is responsible for paying the cost of the examination.

HB1315 Monday 3/12 11:00 AM, Rm. 404 - Moves on to Wednesday
School corporation financial management. Allows the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) to delegate board authority, duties, and responsibilities to the executive director by resolution of the board. Allows the DUAB to adopt rules. Requires the attorney general to represent a member of the fiscal management board, an emergency manager, a chief financial officer, or a chief academic officer if the individual requests the representation. Specifies restrictions on school corporations that are designated distressed. Specifies that waivers regarding the allocation of protected taxes apply only to distressed school corporations and not other distressed units. Provides that, for a period of two years following the termination of a political subdivision's distressed status, the political subdivision may not do any of the following without the prior approval of the DUAB: (1) Adopt a budget, tax levy, or tax rate. (2) Issue bonds. (3) Enter into a lease. Requires a political subdivision to submit certain reports to the DUAB for a period of four years following the termination of the political subdivision's distressed status. Authorizes the emergency manager of a distressed school corporation to cancel any employee's contract or terminate an employee's employment as part of a reduction in force. Provides that notification for a reduction in force of: (1) certificated employees may be delivered after September 30 and before November 1 of the contract year; and (2) noncertificated employees may be delivered at any time. Specifies that the maximum reduction in force of certificated employees under this provision may not exceed 5% of the full-time equivalency for all certificated employees in the certificated employee bargaining unit for the school corporation. Requires the emergency manager to provide any employee whose contract is being canceled with notice at least 90 days before the effective date of the cancellation. Provides that the governing body of a distressed school corporation (or the advisory board, in the case of Gary schools) may file a petition with the DUAB for termination of distressed status only if the school corporation's ongoing revenues exceed the school corporation's ongoing expenses. Specifies that the governing body or advisory board may file such a petition with the DUAB not more than one time in a 12 month period. Makes changes concerning the Gary Community school corporation and its operation. Converts the Gary Community school corporation's governing board to an advisory board. Provides that the advisory board may not hold a public meeting more often than once every three months. Provides that the advisory board may hold additional meetings that are authorized as executive sessions under the open door law. Specifies that the advisory board may vote to fill vacancies and select officers of the advisory board. Deletes from current law the requirements: (1) that the emergency manager for the Gary Community school corporation must consult with the fiscal management board and the governing body; and (2) that the emergency manager for the Gary Community school corporation must consult with the mayor, the fiscal management board, and the governing body when developing the school corporation's annual budget and developing a financial plan, and provides that the emergency manager shall consider any recommendations from these entities. Requires the chief financial officer and chief academic officer to submit a quarterly report the advisory board. Removes the laws concerning the Muncie Community school corporation being a fiscally impaired school corporation. Permits the Ball State University board of trustees to adopt a resolution to govern the Muncie Community school corporation using a newly appointed seven member governing board. Requires certain members of the governing body to reside in the Muncie Community school corporation district. Provides that in making the appointments to the governing body of the Muncie Community school corporation, the Ball State University board of trustees and the President of Ball State University shall strive to ensure that the members appointed to the governing body reflect the geographical and socioeconomic composition of the school district. Provides that the terms of office of the two members appointed by the President of Ball State University expire on June 30, 2022, and beginning July 1, 2022, two members of the board shall be individuals elected at-large. Requires the first elected members to be elected at the 2022 primary election. Specifies that the governing body serving on June 30, 2018, shall become on July 1, 2018, an advisory board to the governing body appointed by the President and board of trustees of Ball State University. Requires the governing body to engage academically innovative strategies. Specifies that only certain laws in IC 20 will apply to the Muncie Community school corporation. Specifies other conditions. Provides that during the period beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2022, the DUAB shall provide financial support to the Muncie Community school corporation in an amount that does not exceed the amount of compensation that would have been provided to an emergency manager of the school corporation if the school corporation had retained the designation of a distressed political subdivision. Permits the DUAB to recommend to the state board of finance that the state board of finance make an interest free loan to the Muncie Community school corporation. Establishes a fiscal and qualitative indicators committee (committee) to make determinations about the fiscal and qualitative factors to be used in analyzing the financial condition of school corporations. Specifies certain factors that may be used. Requires the committee to make determinations about the presentation of the factors and the financial condition of school corporations to the public and the frequency of updates. Requires the DUAB to present school financial condition information on its Internet web site or the management performance hub Internet web site. Sets minimum standards for presenting the information. Requires the DUAB to determine the financial condition of each school corporation and whether a school corporation should be placed on a watch list. Requires the executive director of the DUAB to do the following: (1) Report to the state budget committee the process and procedures that will be used before a school corporation is placed on the watch list. (2) Prepare a report identifying each school corporation whose financial condition indicates the potential to be placed on the watch list. Provides that the DUAB may enter into an agreement with a school corporation to develop a corrective action plan. Requires the DUAB to meet in executive session for discussions and determinations related to placing a school corporation on the watch list. Specifies that the DUAB may make a determination to place a school corporation on the watch list only if the DUAB has, at least six months before making the determination, provided notice to the school corporation stating that the DUAB is considering making such a determination. Provides that before a school corporation is placed on a watch list, the school corporation shall be given an opportunity to meet with the DUAB and the DUAB executive director in executive session. Specifies that after the DUAB makes a determination to place the school corporation on the watch list, the school corporation may file an appeal with the DUAB and request removal from the watch list. Provides that until the DUAB has ruled on the appeal, the school corporation may not be placed on the watch list. Specifies that all correspondence and other records related to discussions and determinations concerning whether a school corporation should be placed on the watch list are confidential and not subject to public disclosure unless and until the school corporation is subsequently placed on the watch list. Specifies that if the DUAB finds that: (1) a determination has been provided by the state board of accounts specifying that a corrective action plan is appropriate for a school corporation; or (2) the fiscal and qualitative indicators indicate that a corrective action plan is appropriate for a school corporation; the DUAB shall initiate contact with the chairperson of the governing body and the superintendent of the school corporation and offer to provide technical assistance to the school corporation. Provides that the DUAB may form a technical assistance team. Provides that the governing body of the Indianapolis Public Schools may sell a closed, unused, or unoccupied school building without making the vacant school building available to a charter school if certain conditions are satisfied. Amends the definition of "deficit financing" for a budget year to mean, in the case of any distressed school corporation, the Gary Community school corporation, or the Muncie Community school corporation: (1) actual expenditures; plus (2) additional payments against any outstanding debt obligations; exceeding the employer's current year actual education fund revenue. Provides that until June 30, 2018, the governing body of Gary schools, rather than the emergency manager, shall exercise the power to fill a vacancy on the governing body. Resolves conflicts. Makes technical corrections

HB1167 Joint Rule 20 technical correction adopted by the Senate
School Corporation Financial Management. Permits money in a school corporation's operations fund at the end of a year to be transferred to the school corporation's rainy day fund. Combines various levies into a single operations fund levy beginning in 2019. Changes provisions concerning the education fund and operations fund. Specifies the items to be included in a school corporation's capital projects plan. Changes the reasons for which a school corporation may appeal to increase the school corporation's operations fund levy for transportation purposes. Requires an appeal to increase or a petition to adjust the maximum operations fund levy for a year to be filed before October 20 of the preceding year. Resolves conflicts among various 2017 acts that take effect before the education funding and accounting changes made by HEA 1009-2017. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may transfer amounts that are levied for the debt service fund to cover unreimbursed costs of certain curricular materials to the curricular materials rental fund, the extracurricular account, or the education fund. Provides that in carrying out a curricular materials rental program, the governing body may control the program through the school corporation's curricular materials rental fund or education fund. Make technical changes.
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HB1420  Monday 3/12 4:00 PM, Rm. 156-B - Moves on to Wednesday
Various education matters. Makes changes regarding the nomination and approval of certain members of the commission on seclusion and restraint in schools. Provides that a student with special needs who has a service plan or a choice scholarship educational plan must be received (if certain conditions in current law apply) as a student in, as applicable, the following: (1) The Indiana School for the Deaf. (2) The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Provides that a student who is withdrawn from enrollment from a virtual charter school for failure to participate in courses pursuant to the school's student engagement policy may not reenroll in that same virtual charter school for the school year in which the student is withdrawn. Establishes requirements regarding charter school closure protocols. Provides that a Cambridge International course may be used for the following purposes: (1) As the basis for a supplemental payment to a teacher who teaches a Cambridge International course. (2) As one of the assessments that a student plans to take voluntarily during grades 10 through 12. (3) As an additional curriculum model available to high school students. (4) As a replacement for certain high school courses on a student's high school transcript. (5) For a student's receipt of credits toward graduation by demonstrating proficiency in a course or subject area. (6) To place a student who is a child of a military family in the appropriate course when the student transfers to a new school. (7) For purposes of determining eligibility for various higher education scholarship and awards programs and amounts. Provides that each student who enrolls in a Cambridge International course may take the accompanying Cambridge International examination to receive high school credit for the Cambridge International course. Requires the department of education (department) and the state board of education (state board) to provide that a successfully completed Cambridge International course is credited toward fulfilling the requirements of an Indiana diploma with a Core 40 with academic honors designation. Provides, subject to certain conditions, that an individual or entity must submit a written notice to a public school that: (1) notifies the public school of an alleged violation of law; and (2) indicates a proposed remedy; before the individual or entity may initiate a civil action or an administrative proceeding against the public school. Establishes requirements regarding a proposed remedy. Provides that, if an individual or entity does not submit a notice to the public school before initiating a civil action or administrative proceeding, a court, administrative law judge, or hearing officer shall dismiss the civil action or administrative proceeding without prejudice. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying the impact of litigation on school corporations and charter schools. Provides that an issuing officer shall issue an employment certificate to a student who attends a nonaccredited nonpublic school after receiving: (1) proof of age; and (2) proof of prospective employment. Provides that a child who: (1) attends a nonaccredited nonpublic school; and (2) is seeking an employment certificate from a school the child does not attend; must present to the issuing officer an attestation from the student's parent that the student is enrolled in school. Provides that a the attestation may be submitted to the issuing officer via facsimile or electronic mail. Amends provisions regarding when a child may work. Requires each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum. Provides that a school corporation may provide summer school educational services through an online provider. Requires the department to prepare and submit a report regarding teacher licensing examination matters. Requires the state board to prepare and submit a report concerning the validity of pedagogy and content area examinations used for teacher licensing. Clarifies the meaning of "school" for purposes of the work ethic certificate program. Repeals a provision concerning the transfer of student records. Makes conforming amendments. Resolves a conflict between P.L.217-2017 and P.L.250-2017.

TUESDAY

HB1001 Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 370: yeas 94, nays 0; Rules Suspended
Education funding. Requires the budget agency to transfer from the K-12 state tuition reserve account to the state general fund the amount necessary to cover the K-12 state tuition distribution amount when it exceeds the appropriated amount. Expires this provision on June 30, 2019. Expires the provision that limits the maximum state distributions for a state fiscal year to the amount appropriated by the general assembly on June 30, 2019. Specifies the ADM count for kindergarten pupils. Makes conforming changes.

HB1230 Tuesday 3/13 9:00 AM, Rm. 156-A - Moves on to Wednesday
School Safety. Requires the department of education (department) to maintain a link on the department's Internet web site providing parents and school officials with resources or best practices regarding the prevention and reporting of bullying and cyberbullying. Requires the state board of education and school corporations to maintain an Internet link to the department's Internet web site on their Internet web sites. Requires the department to maintain a link on the department's Internet web site regarding the identification and reporting of human trafficking. Requires certain employees of a school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school to receive at least one hour of inservice training every two years pertaining to the identification and reporting of human trafficking. Provides that a school corporation's disciplinary rules pertaining to bullying must prohibit bullying through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer or through a cellular telephone or other wireless or cellular communications device. (Current law provides that a school corporation's disciplinary rules pertaining to bullying must prohibit bullying through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer.) Requires the department to conduct a statewide needs assessment survey concerning student service providers and how schools are addressing the social and emotional needs of students. Provides that curriculum for the school safety specialist training and certification program must include training in identifying, preventing, and intervening in actions by a person who is present on school property with the intent to harm another person. Allows charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools to elect to comply with certain laws regarding school safety specialists, school safety plans, and safe school committees. Requires each charter school and accredited nonpublic school to: (1) adopt a local school safety and emergency plan; and (2) provide a copy of the floor plans for each building located on the school's property to the law enforcement agency and the fire department that have jurisdiction over the school.

HB1314 Tuesday 9:45 AM, Rm. 156-C - Moves on to Wednesday
Students in Foster Care and Homeless Students. Requires the state board of education to, in collaboration with the department of education (department) and the department of child services, annually prepare and submit the following: (1) A report on foster care youth educational outcomes. (2) A report on homeless youth educational outcomes. Requires the department to develop and submit a copy of the following: (1) A remediation plan concerning foster care youth. (2) A remediation plan concerning homeless youth. Requires certain information regarding students in foster care to be included in a school corporation's annual performance report. Requires the department and the department of child services to enter into a memorandum of understanding that, at a minimum, requires the department of child services to share with the department, at least one time each month, disaggregated information regarding youth in foster care that is sufficient to allow the department to identify students in foster care. Repeals, for purposes of provisions concerning the transportation of a homeless student to a school of origin, a provision that provides "homeless student" includes a student who is awaiting placement in foster care.

Senate Actions on March 13 

SR48
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the topic of school performance grades.

HB1356 3/13 Signed by the President of the Senate, Off to Governor for Signature
Bullying. Provides that a school corporation is not required to report the number of incidents of bullying in the school corporation's annual school performance report. Provides that information reported by a school corporation relating to the number of incidents of bullying that occur may not be used in calculation of a school's annual school improvement grade. Provides that the department of education (department) must annually send notification via electronic mail or a letter to each school corporation explaining: (1) the school corporation's obligation to submit a report to the department containing the number of bullying incidents involving a student; and (2) that the department may conduct an audit of the school corporation to ensure that bullying incidents are accurately reported. Provides that the department may conduct an audit of a school corporation to ensure that bullying incidents are accurately reported. Provides that the department must report discrepancies of an audit on the department's Internet web site. Requires the department to conduct a statewide survey concerning the improvement of school corporation reporting of incidents of bullying involving a student to the department. Requires, not later than November 1, 2018, the department to submit a report to the general assembly. 

Signed by the Governor on 3/13/18

SB297
Employability skills curriculum. Provides that the department of workforce development will establish standards that provide students with career and college planning resources under the Indiana career explorer program and standards. (Current law provides that the department of workforce development will establish curriculum under the Indiana career explorer program and curriculum.) Provides that, not later than July 1, 2019, each school within a school corporation shall include interdisciplinary employability skills standards established by the department of education (department), in conjunction with the department of workforce development and approved by the state board of education, in the school's curriculum. Provides that, if the department determines that the pilot program for instruction in and use of the Indiana career explorer program and standards should be extended, the department, in consultation with the department of workforce development, must increase the number of schools involved in the pilot program by at least 15 additional schools, if possible based on the interest from schools. Provides that the state board of education, in consultation with the department and the department of workforce development, may approve an alternative Internet based system and standards (Current law provides that the department, in consultation with the department of workforce development may approve alternative Internet based system and standards.) Establishes the work ethic certificate program (program). Requires the department of workforce development to administer the program

WEDNESDAY

Bill to Be Concurred by the Senate on March 14 at 1:30 p.m.

SB65 - Rules Suspended. Senate concurred in House amendments; Roll Call 397: yeas 41, nays 8
Instruction on human sexuality. Requires each school corporation to make available for inspection to a parent of a student instructional material used in connection with instruction on human sexuality. Provides that, before a school may provide a student with instruction on human sexuality, the school must provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, with a written request for consent of instruction. Provides that a consent form provided to a parent of a student or a student must accurately summarize the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided to the student and indicate that a parent of a student or an adult or emancipated minor student has the right to review and inspect all materials related to the instruction on human sexuality. Provides that the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, may return the consent form indicating that the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student: (1) consents to the instruction; or (2) declines instruction. Provides that, if the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, does not respond to the written request provided by the school within 21 calendar days of receiving the request, the school shall provide the parent of the student, or the adult or emancipated minor student, a written notice requesting that the parent of the student, or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, indicate whether the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student: (1) consents to the instruction; or (2) declines instruction. Provides that the parent or the adult or emancipated student may subsequently opt out of the instruction.

SB387 Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 404: yeas 45, nays 3; Rules Suspended
Teacher permits, examinations, and salaries. Requires the department of education (department) to post on the department's Internet web site the pass rate of the content area examination for each postsecondary educational institution. Establishes eligibility requirements for a career specialist permit. Provides that, for school years beginning after June 30, 2018, a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if the teacher: (1) is a special education professional; or (2) teaches in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Provides that an elementary teacher may be eligible for a supplemental payment if the teacher earns a master's degree in math, reading, or literacy. (Current law provides that an elementary teacher may be eligible for a supplemental payment if the teacher receives a master's degree in math or in reading and literacy.) Provides that the supplemental payment is not subject to collective bargaining but must be discussed. Provides that the salary increase amount attributed for the academic needs of students in a school corporation may be differentiated among individual teachers as part of a teacher salary scale. Provides that a school corporation may provide differentiated increases or increments for teacher salaries, and in excess of the percentage established for certain factors used to determine teacher salary increases or increments, in order to reduce the gap between the school corporation's minimum teacher salary and the average of the school corporation's minimum and maximum teacher salaries. Provides that, before November 1, 2018, the department shall issue a request for proposals for an educator licensing examination, which must include accessible examination preparation resources that are aligned with the educator licensing examination. Provides that the department shall prepare and submit a report that includes: (1) a list and description of each examination available in Indiana that is or could be used for teacher licensing; and (2) whether the individual taking the examination is responsible for paying the cost of the examination. Requires the state board of education to submit to the legislative council memorandums and reports provided by the technical advisory committee to the state board regarding educator licensing examinations. Requires the department to provide a notice to each school corporation regarding the changes in this act to the career specialist permit requirements and to the laws regarding teacher salaries.

HB1001 Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 389: yeas 47, nays 0
School funding. Requires the budget agency to transfer from the K-12 state tuition reserve account to the state general fund the amount necessary to cover the K-12 state tuition distribution amount if it exceeds the appropriated amount. Limits the transfer to $25,000,000 in state fiscal year 2017-2018 and $75,000,000 for state fiscal year 2018-2019. Requires school corporations to report information about virtual education programs to the department of education. Requires a pupil to be at least five years of age on August 1 of the school year to be included in the ADM count for kindergarten pupils.

SB303 Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 403: yeas 86, nays 0; Rules Suspended
Various education matters. Amends dates for the following: (1) The submission of reports regarding the number of full-time equivalent students enrolled in an alternative education program. (2) Student enrollment and attendance and grant distributions regarding alternative education program grants. (3) A school corporation's count of pupils in homebound programs. (4) The submission of reports to the department of education (department) concerning scholarships awarded by a scholarship granting organization in the previous school year. Provides that an expanded child protection index check for an applicant for employment with a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school: (1) must be conducted for Indiana; and (2) may be conducted for other states. Specifies that a criminal history information policy adopted by a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school must state that the school corporation or school requires an expanded criminal history check concerning an employee of the school corporation or school who is likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of the employee's employment (instead of any employee). Amends requirements and defines "appropriate vehicle" with regard to the types of vehicles a school corporation may use to transport homeless students to a school of origin. Provides that the same requirements apply to the transport of students in foster care to a school of origin. Provides that a school corporation may provide summer school educational services through an online provider. Voids 511 IAC 12-2-2, which pertains to reimbursements from the department for summer school. Amends the conditions that must apply for an original school corporation and a transitional school corporation to be required to enter into an agreement concerning the responsibility for and apportionment of the costs of transporting a foster student to and from a school of origin. Provides that, to drive a school bus, an individual must have a depth perception of at least 80% or 48 seconds of arc or less angle of stereopsis. (Current law requires an individual to have a depth perception of at least 80% or 33 seconds of arc or less angle of stereopsis.) Removes a provision that requires school corporations to conduct an additional cumulative count of pupils in homebound programs for informational purposes

HB1230 - DEAD
School safety. Requires the department of education (department) to maintain a link on the department's Internet web site providing parents and school officials with resources or best practices regarding the prevention and reporting of bullying and cyberbullying. Requires the state board of education and school corporations to maintain an Internet link to the department's Internet web site on their Internet web sites. Requires the department to maintain a link on the department's Internet web site regarding the identification and reporting of human trafficking. Requires certain employees of a school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school to receive at least one hour of inservice training every two years pertaining to the identification and reporting of human trafficking. Provides that a school corporation's disciplinary rules pertaining to bullying must prohibit bullying through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer or through a cellular telephone or other wireless or cellular communications device. (Current law provides that a school corporation's disciplinary rules pertaining to bullying must prohibit bullying through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer.) Requires the department to conduct a statewide needs assessment survey concerning student service providers and how schools are addressing the social and emotional needs of students. Provides that curriculum for the school safety spe