HOOSIER VOICES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION: ARCHIVED POSTS

This page will include old "Call To Action" posts, "Alerts", "Bills To Watch", and anything that was posted on a previously used page that was not an actual "BLOG" post.

As things "heat up" during this legislative session here is where you will find your Daily Call to Action. Make sure you write, call, and make your voice heard when it comes to the bills that affect PUBLIC education.

SB 334 is now scheduled for amendments and voting at next Tuesday’s meeting, February 23rd at 8:30am in Room 156-C.
Your messages of opposition to voucher expansion in this matter are now more important than ever.
If you have not already done so, please send a message via email or phone to members of the House Education Committee and to your own legislators expressing your strong opposition to this expansion of vouchers. Please send your messages this weekend or early next week before the committee meets on Tuesday, February 23rd

February 4, 2015

Right now, several bills are already headed to the full House and Senate that supporters of public schools must take action against.

Your messages to legislators are making a difference.

SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

HB 1638 and HB 1009 would grow yet more charter or charter-like schools despite the disappointing data on their performance.

SUPPORT OUR SUPERINTENDENT!

HB 1486, HB 1609 and SB 1 all call for the removal of Superintendent Ritz as chair of the State Board of Education, and/or transfer authorities away from the Indiana Department of Education to the SBOE.

END THE ATTACKS!

CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE HERE

CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE SENATE HERE

February 4, 2015

Every member of the Senate Rules & Legislative Committee needs to hear from you tomorrow, by phone & email. Make the calls and let them know that you stand with Ritz!

Hearings on: SB 1, SB 452, and SB 453 are slated for tomorrow morning and ALL are aimed at disenfranchising voters right to choose the State Superintendent and limit Glenda's ability to lead.

Tell them that all three of these bills need to be voted down, that they are a violation of the very rights our Founding Fathers fought to create in this great country. The voters have a right to Representative Government and those put in positions of power should care enough about American principles to stand up for these rights, no matter what.

POSSIBLE REPUBLICAN SWING VOTERS ON THE COMMITTEE:

Ed Charbonneau - 317-232-9494
Brandt Hershman - 317-232-6840
Brent Steele - 317-232-9814
James Merritt - 317-232-9533
Douglas Eckerty - 317-232-9466

DEMOCRATS THAT NEED TO HEAR YOUR SUPPORT OF THEIR 'NO' VOTE:

James Arnold - 800-382-9467
Jean Breaux - 800-382-9467
Tim Lanane - 800-382-9467
Karen Tallian - 800-382-9467

GUARANTEED 'YES' VOTERS | NOT VALUABLE CONTACT:

Travis Holdman - Authored all 3 of these pieces of garbage legislation
Dennis Kruse - Notorious lackey to the reform agenda in Indiana
David Long - Power hungry reformer that is parading this bill around the Senate for political favors

January 28, 2015

Yesterday, the House Education Committee heard HB 1486 which transfers authorities and roles from the Indiana Department of Education (DOE) to the governor’s appointed State Board of Education (SBOE). In some cases, some authority will be transferred from local school boards to the SBOE.

The bill includes a number of authority transfer provisions:

Makes the SBOE the state educational authority under FERPA for data access, shifting the role of the State Education Agency to the SBOE.
Removes local control over teacher evaluations and allows the SBOE to set the range for objective student data that must “significantly inform” evaluations.
Allows the SBOE to hire an executive director and additional staff, which raises the question about whether the governor’s intent to dissolve CECI will really result in any substantive changes. This makes one wonder, could Tony Bennett be on his way back since he has been waiting in the wings.
Shifts ISTEP authority from DOE to the SBOE.
Gives all aspects of the operation and implementation of turnaround academies i.e., takeover schools to the SBOE.
Transfers authority over the determination of tested subjects to the SBOE.
Codifies IREAD 3 by the SBOE – a test that provides no useful data to educators regarding student reading ability other than a simplistic pass/fail metric.

The bill also makes changes to the A-F accountability system. It removes a section prohibiting the use of peer growth comparisons and deleting individual student performance comparisons. This language essentially undoes months of work by the Accountability Panel (and voted on 16-1) along with previous legislation to improve the A-F model. If the bill passes, it will revert back to the old metrics instead of measuring pre- and post-test individual student-level growth.

The SBOE is pushing HB 1486 and relegates DOE to the role of administrative assistant. The wide-ranging bill alarmed some members of the committee.

“What you are doing is making the superintendent a clerical assistant,” said Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary. “You make her do the work and the decisions are made by the state Board.”

Rep. Terry Austin, D-Anderson questioned currently appointed board member Dr. Brad Oliver about whether Superintendent Ritz was involved in the SBOE’s legislative recommendations for this bill, but it was clear from Oliver’s response that her input was overlooked. Oliver was the sole supporter of the bill in committee.

Please contact members of the House Education Committee and urge legislators to vote against HB 1486. The bill will be voted on Thursday, Jan. 29.

APRIL 22, 2013

Please contact your own Representative and Senator and the chief conferees and advisors and make the following ask: In light of the recent revenue forecast, please find a way to increase K-12 public school funding, particularly in the 2nd year.

As a result of the positive revenue forecast, the Governor wasted no time in stepping up his request for a 10% cut in the individual income tax rate which amounts to about $500 million in lost revenue (the current budget bill offers a 3% cut—amounting to $150 million in revenue).

Conferees:
Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville), h41@in.gov
Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville), s20@in.gov
Rep. Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis), s33@in.gov
Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Portage). S4@in.gov

ADVISORS

Rep. Eric Turner (R-Cicero), h32@in.gov
Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), h28@in.gov
Rep. Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte), h20@in.gov
Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville), h78@in.gov
Rep. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield), h53@in.gov
Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Hammond), h12@in.gov
Rep. Terry Goodin (D-Crothersville), h66@in.gov
Rep. Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute), h43@in.gov
Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette), h27@in.gov
Rep. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), h7@in.gov
Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), h94@in.gov
Rep. Steve Stemler (D-Jeffersonville), h71@in.gov
Sen. Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute), s38@in.gov
Sen. Lindel Hume (D-Princeton), s48@in.gov
Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek), s7@in.gov
Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen), s9@in.gov
Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), s5@in.gov
Sen. Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis), senator.miller@iga.in.gov
Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne), s15@in.gov
Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel), s29@in.gov

APRIL 7, 2013

Please share this list with Senators:

The overarching problem with voucher expansion is that it sustains the unrelenting attack on public education started in 2011, siphoning at least $22 million of public money from public school students to private schools and giving higher subsidies to parents to choose private schools. Specifically:

1) It removes the requirement that to receive a tax credit scholarship, a student must have been enrolled in a public school during the preceding school year. With this change, any student already in a private school can receive a tax credit scholarship from the SGO. Under current law, those receiving tax credit scholarships can get vouchers the next year. In this two year cycle, the requirement disappears that students must ever go to a public school before becoming eligible for a voucher, for those under the $84,000 income limit.

2) It is far worse fiscally than the original voucher bill passed two years ago. It ends the rationale that vouchers save the state money and brings direct new fiscal costs of at least $22 million to taxpayers. Putting this fiscal cost in perspective, $22 million to pay for vouchers for students who are already in private schools is more than Indiana spends now on Summer School ($18 million) and seven times more than Indiana spends on technology ($3 million).

3) It makes special education students already in private schools eligible for a voucher. An estimated 75% of the 4211 such students meet the income limit of $84,000 for a family of four. Fiscal cost (at LSA’s estimate of $4083 for each voucher): $12.8 million.

4) It makes siblings of voucher students already in private schools eligible for a voucher. Fiscal cost (projecting a sibling for just 10% of 9135 voucher students X $4083 per voucher): $3.7 million

5) It raises the $4500 cap on the Grade 1-8 voucher to $4600 the first year and to $4700 the second year. Fiscal cost (according to LSA): $0.4 million each year.

6) The above three points, totaling $17 million next year, will come out of the tuition support budget for all schools in the funding formula. There is no separate line item for vouchers.

7) This $17 million would siphon off one-eighth of the $132 million increase budgeted for all schools in the House budget, undermining the claim that education cuts from the Great Recession are being restored. Put another way, $17 million – one-eighth – would not go to the 1.04 million public school students who have still not had funding restored from the Great Recession but instead would pay for vouchers for private school students who are already in private schools.

8) It gives $5 million for additional tax credits for K-12 (Scholarship Granting Organizations) school scholarships, above the current $5 million. This means a doubling of foregone revenue to the state of Indiana to benefit private schools.

9) On its required August 1, 2012 report, the Scholarship Granting Organization in Fort Wayne reported spending 67% of its contributions on scholarships rather the legally required 90%. IDOE did not hold the SGO accountable to the law. Shouldn’t accountability to the law be verified in the current program before expanding it?

10) In its only filed audit dated June 30, 2011, the Scholarship Granting Organization in Evansville reported spending 34% of its contributions on scholarships rather than the legally required 90%. The audit showed that more was spent on salaries than on scholarships. IDOE did not hold the SGO accountable to the law. Shouldn’t accountability to the law be verified in the current program before expanding it?

11) On March 29, 2013, a Channel 6 investigation reported that a voucher school in Indianapolis, the MTI School of Knowledge, which has received thousands of dollars in voucher money, is being investigated for cheating on ISTEP. The voucher law does not clarify whether vouchers can continue to be given to schools in which cheating on ISTEP is confirmed. Shouldn’t penalties for verified cheating on ISTEP be added to the current program before expanding it?

12) HB 1003 removes the requirement to try out first grade in a public school before getting a voucher. For the first time, it defines kindergarten is as sufficient time in public school to qualify for a voucher.

13) HB 1003 allows a voucher even for kindergarten in attendance areas of 148 schools receiving an F using the flawed and widely disrespected A-F system. Fiscal cost (from budget officials in Tuesday’s testimony): S0.7 to $6.0 million. Shouldn’t we have a valid A-F system before we pass a law to use it for voucher decisions? This is a new amendment added by the Senate Education Committee and the additional fiscal cost is not counted in the $22 million estimate discussed above.

14) For the first time, the amount of the voucher for special education students will include the basic voucher (averaging $4083) plus state special education dollars “that a school corporation would receive under IC 20-43-7 for the student if the student attended the school corporation.” The state board is directed to set emergency rules to monitor special education services in private schools. This raises many questions about state supervision of private schools in providing special education services. Alert your special education colleagues to this issue.

APRIL 4, 2013

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY: WE MUST ACT! MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS IF WE DON'T MOTIVATE OUR FRIENDS TO WRITE AND CALL! READ THE LATEST FROM VIC SMITH (THURSDAY 4/4):

Vic’s Statehouse Notes #129– April 4, 2013

Dear Friends,

After passing two Senate committees, the voucher expansion bill (House Bill 1003) is on the Senate’s schedule today (Thursday) for second reading amendments. That would set up a final vote on third reading as early as Monday, April 8th. It is important that all Senators hear from passionate public school advocates this weekend before Monday about the damaging problems of HB 1003 summarized below.

Fourteen Reasons Why Senators Should Say “No!” to Voucher Expansion – House Bill 1003

Please share this list with Senators:

4) It makes siblings of voucher students already in private schools eligible for a voucher. Fiscal cost (projecting a sibling for just 10% of 9135 voucher students X $4083 per voucher): $3.7 million

5) It raises the $4500 cap on the Grade 1-8 voucher to $4600 the first year and to $4700 the second year. Fiscal cost (according to LSA): $0.4 million each year.

6) The above three points, totaling $17 million next year, will come out of the tuition support budget for all schools in the funding formula. There is no separate line item for vouchers.

Contact Your Senator and Other Senators!

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Please get involved this weekend by contacting your Senator or other Senators if you have not done so already.

The fourteen reasons stated above to defeat the bill are clear and powerful. The Channel 6 story about ISTEP cheating (reason #11 above) is a new story that many have not yet heard about.

This bill is a complex and multipronged attack on public education. If public school advocates are not heard clearly by their Senators this weekend, this damaging bill will pass the Senate next week.

The Senators all have many bills before them and many things on their mind. Only messages from you their constituents can make opposition to the voucher expansion bill a priority for them.

There are many Senators who do not like the fiscal costs of the expansion bill. In addition, 21 of the current Senators voted against the voucher bill in 2011. The list is attached. We need 26 votes against HB 1003. We need to work with each Senator, one by one, through emails, phone calls, and letters and in “Third House” and “Crackerbarrel” meetings this weekend. The final vote could come as early as Monday afternoon, April 8th.

Thanks for all you do for public education! With your work at the grassroots level, it is possible to defeat House Bill 1003 on the floor vote. Go to it!

Best wishes,

Vic Smith vic790@aol.com

MARCH 31, 2013

OPPOSE HB 1003

MAKE 3 CONTACTS TODAY! FLOOD THEM WITH CALLS OR EMAILS!

Sharing this CALL TO ACTION from ICPE founder Vic Smith:

"The Next Step for the Voucher Expansion Bill (HB 1003): Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday (THIS TUESDAY), April 2, 2013...

Since HB 1003 had a fiscal cost, it was recommitted to the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee for approval in their final meeting on Tuesday morning, April 2nd. It is important to share your deep opposition to HB 1003 with members of this committee between now and Tuesday. These Senators probably have not heard much about the problems with this bill until now. It is time to let them know...
...
Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee Chair: Senator Hershman

Republican Members: Senators Holdman, Buck, Delph, Kenley, Landske, Mishler, Smith and Walker

Democrat Members: Senators Skinner, Broden, Hume and Taylor

ALSO: Contact All Senators

The voucher expansion bill could come to the floor for a vote anytime between April 4th and April 10th. Remember that 21 current Senators voted against vouchers in 2011. That group forms a strong base for opposition to voucher expansion. We need every public school advocate to be involved in contacting Senators to support public schools and to oppose HB 1003.

There are 21 Senators who voted against vouchers in 2011 who are currently in the Senate. They should be thanked for their vote and asked to continue to vote against vouchers. They are:
Republican Senators Alting, Becker, Boots, Head, Mishler, Nugent, Tomes, Waterman and Zakas. (9)
Democrat Senators Arnold, Breaux, Broden, Hume, Lanane, Mrvan, Randolph, Rogers, Skinner, Tallian, Taylor, Richard Young. (12)

There are 25 Senators who voted for vouchers in 2011 who are currently in the Senate. They should be reminded about the new additional fiscal costs for vouchers given to students who are already in private schools and asked to vote against expanding the voucher program at this time. They are:
Republican Senators Banks, Buck, Charbonneau, Delph, Eckerty, Glick, Grooms, Hershman, Holdman, Kenley, Kruse, Landske, Leising, Long, Merritt, Pat Miller, Paul, Schneider, Smith, Steele, Walker, Waltz, Wyss, Yoder, and Michael Young,

There are 4 Senators who are new to the Senate and did not vote on vouchers in 2011. They should be asked to hold to the original program and not expand vouchers due to the new excessive fiscal costs. They are:
Republican Senators Bray, Crider and Pete Miller and Democrat Senator Stoops.

Click the picture below for the email addresses and phone numbers of the state senators! PLEASE GET THIS DONE! :

MARCH 27, 2013

OPPOSE HB 1003

MAKE 3 CONTACTS TODAY! FLOOD THEM WITH CALLS OR EMAILS!

1-800-382-9467

1) Kenley - s20@iga.in.gov

2) Yoder - s12@iga.in.gov

3) Kruse - s14@iga.in.gov

This is the message...

Tell them we EXPECT better for our kids - a one year stay is a requirement! No more easy come easy go policy. We want to see data that the existing program improves educational outcomes, otherwise they are wasting more taxpayer money. Tell them to VOTE NO TODAY!!

Last Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Education Committee heard testimony about HB 1003 - expansion of Indiana's private school voucher program. After the previous day's PUBLIC education rally at the statehouse and lengthy testimony on the bill, the bill was held. The bill is now expected to come back this Wednesday, March 27, for a vote in the Education Committee and then must go through appropriations. Senator Kenley, chair of appropriations is opposed to the fiscal impact of the bill in current form. STAY TUNED and continue to CALL your representatives and ask them to OPPOSE HB 1003 and stop "stealing" PUBLIC school monies to fund privates and charters. It appears as though there is opposition to the bill, even among some GOP leaders, so we MUST keep the pressure on and see to it that this bill is voted down once and for all.

CALL and/or EMAIL TODAY!!!

Senate Education Committee members.

• Senator Dennis Kruse (Chair): s14@iga.in.gov

• Senator Earline Rogers: s3@iga.in.gov

• Senator Carlin Yoder: s12@iga.in.gov

• Senator Jim Banks: s17@iga.in.gov

• Senator John Broden: s10@iga.in.gov

• Senator James Buck: s21@iga.in.gov

• Senator Luke Kenley: s20@iga.in.gov

• Senator Jean Leising: s42@iga.in.gov

• Senator Pete Miller: s24@iga.in.gov

• Senator Frank Mrvan: s1@iga.in.gov

• Senator Scott Schneider: s30@iga.in.gov

• Senator Greg Taylor: s33@iga.in.gov

Click here for link to contact information for full Senate.

Under HB 1003, a new pool of students would automatically become eligible for vouchers without otherwise qualifying through attendance in a public school first for a year and through the existing income guidelines. The new pool of students would include:

·children of veterans honorably discharged

·siblings of existing voucher students

·special needs children

·students who had previously received a voucher through a private scholarship-granting organization

·kindergarten students

·any student in foster care.

HB 1003 would increase the K-8 voucher by another $500 per student in 2014 and by $1000 in 2015—from $4,500 to $5,000 to $5,500.

The income guidelines for participation in the program for many groups of students would increase to 200% of the free- and reduced-price lunch standard (from the current 150%). In dollars, this means that a family of four making nearly $84,000 annually would qualify. For those who still would enter the program at the 150% standard, under the bill would be allowed to remain eligible in later years up to household income increases to the 200% standard. Even the current 150% exceeds the original stated intent of vouchers, which is to provide assistance to those most in need—since the median household income in Indiana is just above $48,000.

HB 1003 also provides that the existing SGO tax credit for K-12 SGO’s would become a “carry forward” tax credit—meaning that if a taxpayer’s contribution is more than his/her state tax liability in the year it is given, the taxpayer is able to carry forward the balances over the subsequent 9 years—offsetting future tax liabilities.

The bill would also establish a whole new government entitlement for private preschool providers in the creation of a voucher-like program for preschool, using the same “scholarship granting organization” and “tax credits” mechanisms that had been the forerunners to Indiana’s K-12 voucher program— this time, to benefit private preschools who can select who they admit rather than having admission open to all students.

And the statewide cap on credits claimed for the preschool SGO tax credit coupled with the existing K-12 SGO tax credit is doubled from $5 million statewide to $10 million.

The negative fiscal impact to public school funding would be immediate and direct. Expansion of vouchers further diverts public money away from public schools.

MARCH 18, 2013

RALLY TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Tuesday’s 2:30 Statehouse rally (March 19th) in support of public schools and in opposition to voucher expansion will be followed on Wednesday (March 20th) with a 1:30pm public he...aring on House Bill 1003, the voucher expansion bill.

Public school advocates are urged to bring a friend and attend the rally and, for those who can speak against voucher expansion, come back for the Senate Education Committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon.

Come to the Rally, March 19th at 2:30pm

The rally is set for Tuesday, March 19th, starting at 2:30pm in the South Atrium on the second floor of the Statehouse. An opponent of voucher expansion from each of the four caucuses will speak, as well as several advocates for public education:

Senator Vaneta Becker, Republican, Evansville

Senator Tim Skinner, Democrat, Terre Haute

Representative Randy Truitt, Republican, Lafayette

Representative Vernon Smith, Democrat, Gary

Sharon Wise, Indiana PTA, Indianapolis

Danny Tanoos, Superintendent, Vigo Co. Schools, Terre Haute

Julie Hollingsworth, School Board Member, Fort Wayne Community Schools

Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, ICPE-Monroe County, Bloomington

Phyllis Bush, Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Fort Wayne

Carole Craig, ICPE Board, Indianapolis

Joel Hand, ICPE Lobbyist, Fishers

Vic Smith, ICPE Board, Indianapolis

This rally against voucher expansion may not be as large as last week’s rally in favor of vouchers. On that occasion, over half the participants were school children brought in during class time to support this partisan bill. Our rally will be primarily voters and taxpayers. We have no deep-pocketed sponsors, so don’t come expecting T-shirts. We do have bipartisan grassroots supporters of public education from all over Indiana who believe deeply that public schools deserve better support and that public school students will be damaged by the costly expansion of vouchers provided in House Bill 1003. Before and after the rally, please look up your Senator and Representative to express your opposition to voucher expansion, especially in light of the hearing on HB 1003 scheduled for the next day.

For more information see the flyer.

http://icpe2011.com/uploads/icpe_rally_flyer.pdf

This is the week for advocates for public education to take action.

Come to the rally! If you can’t come, sign the petition in support of the rally. Here is the link:

https://www.change.org/petitions/indiana-general-assembly-stop-bills-expanding-vouchers-fully-fund-our-public-schools

Participate in Wednesday’s public hearing on HB 1003 in the Senate Education Committee.
Contact your Senator about HB 1003 to express your opposition to voucher expansion.

Action Item: February 22, 2013

NO to HB1337 (Contact full House)

House members will vote Monday on House Bill 1337, a massive partisan rewrite of the bipartisan Public Law 221 which has governed Indiana’s accountability program since 1999. Public education advocates should tell House members this weekend that passing the voucher bill is enough damage to public schools in one session. They should call a halt and defe...at House Bill 1337.

House Bill 1337 in any normal year should be the center of discussion and debate in non-partisan forums to direct the next generation of Indiana’s accountability program to replace the 1999 bipartisan reform, Public Law 221. Instead, House Bill 1337 was squeezed through the education committee on the last possible day with very little attention or debate, and certainly with no bipartisan support. It would:

1) let the State Board empower turnaround academies to become independent schools with the status of a new, small school district with an appointed school board, not elected. This fragmentation contradicts recent efforts to consolidate small school districts into bigger districts.

2) remove “improvement” as the stated goal of PL 221, replacing it with “performance.” This is a major philosophical change from the 1999 bipartisan reform.

3) require science assessments to be included in high stakes school letter grade decisions by 2014-15. The testing budget has not been increased to pay for this.

4) delete well-known PL 221 language we have had since 1999 saying results should be adjusted “for student mobility” and saying “Compare each school and each school corporation with its own prior performance and not to the performance of other schools or other corporations.” This latter deletion would open the door to assessing students compared to peers which has been at the heart of the failure of the current A-F system.

Ask your House member, especially if they let you down and voted for the voucher bill, if they would please stop further confusion and turmoil in our public schools by deferring this complete rewrite of our entire accountability program to another session when broad based discussions about changing our accountability system can be held. House Bill 1337 is a partisan law that few have even seen or discussed.

Action Item: February 20, 2013
NO to HB1334 (Contact Full House)

Talking Points on Prohibiting Voluntary Dues Deduction (HB 1334)

I oppose any efforts to remove my option to have my professional association (my union) dues from being automatically deducted from my own pay as per my wishes.

· The option to use this is already voluntary on MY part. (IC 22-2-6-2 and IC 20-29-5-6)

· No deduction other than deducting payroll taxes can be accomplished without my written and prior authorization.

· There is no discernible cost as my employer is already deducting all kinds of expenses for all kinds of other purposes that benefit all kinds of profit and not-for-profit entities (paying for health insurance premiums, paying for charitable contributions, garnishments). The author of HB 1334 (Rep. Thompson, R-Lizton) assured House Education committee members this was not a fiscal issue—if it were, why would every other possible voluntary expenditure be permissible?

a. United Way

b. Virtually any other charities

c. Other membership fees

d. Health insurance premiums

e. Retirement

· This effort to ban my choice in this ministerial function is disrespectful to me as a public school employee in this community.

· The vast majority of states (44) permit automated, authorized dues deduction for public sector employees.

· Private sector employers of similar size to my school district routinely provide wage assignments and automated deduction privileges as a convenience to employees.

· This is only being raised as an “issue” because the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce seeks to inject partisan politics into what should be thoughtful public policy-making (INDY STAR article; December 8, 2012). http://www.indystar.com/article/20121208/NEWS05/212080328/Chamber-Commerce-wants-ban-teachers-unions-dues-deducted-from-paychecks

· Even the Indianapolis Star has editorialized against engaging in this unnecessary political attack (INDY STAR EDITORIAL, December 12, 2012).

http://www.indystar.com/proart/20121213/opinion08/212130329/dues-diligence-avoid-another-clash-unions?pagerestricted=1

· This is just more union-bashing. Quit picking fights with hard-working, (struggling-to-stay) middle-class voters.

· School Administrator dues to their Association are taken directly from public school funding. I voluntarily request that my association dues be deducted from my paycheck.

· With all of the bona fide issues facing this state, this nation and ordinary, hard-working citizens—issues like creating real jobs, funding our schools, ensuring sound child welfare, providing good roads and transportation, supporting public safety—spending time on this politically-motivated retribution is offensive to me personally and a complete waste of taxpayer resources.

Action Item: February 14, 2013

NO to HB1309 (Contact Committee)
NO to HB1339 (Contact Committee)
NO to HB1358 (Contact Full House)
NO to HB1338 (Contact Full House)

HB 1309 – This bill requires the State Board of Ed to elect a vice chairperson who...may call meetings, set and amend agendas...carry out other administrative functions -- will be heard Thur, Feb. 14 in House Ed that begins at 8:30 a.m.

The "may" provision diminishes the Supt of Public Instruction's role as the Supt. is the chair of the State Bd. who may have powers usurped by a vice chair. 1.3 million Hoosiers voted Ritz into this office with the expectation that she would perform the job to which they elected her.
Contact members of the House Education Committee.
Ask them to vote NO. Do it ASAP.
HB 1339:Author: Behning

Various education matters. Replaces references, when referring to a charter school, to the term "sponsor" with the term "authorizer". Repeals the current definition of sponsor. Provides that the department of education (department) shall keep on its Internet web site charter school page: (1) demographic and performance data required from school corporations according to each authorizer's performance framework; and (2) an annual list of all charter schools, with corresponding authorizers and the school improvement designation earned by each charter school. Provides that a virtual charter school is defined as a charter school that provides more than 90% of its instruction through virtual distance learning or online technologies. (Current law provides that a virtual charter school is a charter school that provides more than 50% of its instruction through virtual distance learning or online technologies.) Removes a requirement that the department must submit an annual report to the budget committee concerning virtual charter schools. Provides that a charter school is subject to graduation rate calculation requirements. Removes a provision that a teacher serving under a regular contract at a laboratory school who transfers to a school corporation that is a party to the agreement with the university operating the laboratory school is entitled to receive credit for the years served at the laboratory school for purposes of meeting the five year requirement for an indefinite contract. Removes a provision that a laboratory school teacher's contract with a school corporation is an indefinite contract if the teacher has served five years at a laboratory school. Provides notice procedures for the cancellation of a principal's or superintendent's contract. Provides that a principal may request a private meeting with the superintendent within five days after the principal receives notice of a contract cancellation. Provides that a superintendent may request a private meeting with the president of the governing body within five days after the principal receives notice of a contract cancellation. Provides that the superintendent or the president of the governing body shall make a written recommendation to the governing body regarding the contract cancellation. Provides that a superintendent or a principal may have a representative accompany the superintendent or principal to the private conference. Repeals a provision that provides that a teacher contract continues in force following the date of the contract's termination, until the school corporation refuses to continue the contract, the teacher resigns, or the contract is replaced. Provides that a teacher contract entered into after August 1 is void if the teacher is bound by a previous contract to teach in a public school. (Current law provides that the contract is void after August 15.) Resolves conflict in IC 20-28-9-1, which was amended by P.L.229-2011, SEC. 175 and repealed by P.L.48-2011, SEC. 39. Provides that, beginning after June 30, 2013, a teacher who does not receive a raise or increment may file a request for a private meeting with the superintendent if the teacher received a rating of improvement necessary or ineffective. Provides that, after June 30, 2013, a local salary schedule must include the salary schedule framework under which two or more of the four permissible salary factors combine to determine increases, increments, or raises for a teacher. Provides that after June 30, 2013, a school corporation's noncompliance with the salary schedule requirements must be reported by the: (1) department; (2) state board of accounts; and (3) Indiana education employment relations board (board). Provides that the establishment of a voluntary sick day bank may be collectively bargained for. Provides that certain salary reductions are not subject to collective bargaining. Makes changes to the procedure for conducting a hearing for a teacher suspended without pay. Makes changes relating to staff performance evaluations for evaluations of principals or superintendents. Provides that a charter school, a virtual charter school, or a school that participates in the choice scholarship program may not use a staff performance evaluation based on certain models. Provides that a certified employee must receive a rating of either ineffective or improvement necessary if, after completing a remediation plan, deficiencies noted in the certificated employee's evaluation are not corrected. Provides that a model evaluation plan developed by the department after January 31, 2012, must be approved by the state board and published on the department's Internet web site. Provides that a provision relating to the appointment by an exclusive representative of a percentage of teacher positions on a district-wide or school-wide committee applies to all discussion committees. Provides that with regards to collective bargaining mediation, each party shall pay its costs of mediation to the board. Removes a provision that provides that a school employer may issue tentative individual contracts if an agreement has not been reached. Provides that the duration of the right to bring suit for an unfair practice against a school employer or school employee organization is three years. Adds a provision that allows a hearing examiner or agent of the board to assign the costs of the hearing in proportion to the liability of the parties. Provides that the factfinding process in an impasse proceeding may not exceed 30 days. Reduces the time, from five years to two years, in which a person who has served as a mediator between a school corporation and an exclusive representative may serve as a factfinder in an impasse proceeding.

HB 1358 PARENT TRIGGER : Authors: Huston, Behning

Parental initiatives for school reorganization. Establishes the following parental initiatives for school reorganization of low performing schools: (1) The conversion of an existing public school into a charter school. (2) A petition to have the state board of education consider intervention and establish a lead partner to support the operation of the school. Repeals current provisions concerning the conversion of existing public schools into charter schools.

HB 1358 PASSED House Committee, February 12!

HB 1338: Authors: Behning
Makes numerous changes to Indiana’s charter school laws, including requiring the state budget agency (under the governor’s administration) to carry out the program to identify all federal funds available for charter schools, requires the budget agency to pursue any matching federal funds for charter schools, provides that the state board of education must approve the department’s report to the budget committee pertaining to virtual charter schools, requires the budget agency to administer new charter school start up grants, and requires the budget agency to administer the charter school facilities assistance program. These functions now assigned to the budget agency and state board of education have been, to date, accomplished by the DOE.

House Phones: 317-232-9600 and 1-800-382-9842
Republicans on the committee
Rep. Behning, Chair, h91@in.gov
Rep. Rhoads h70@in.gov
Rep. L. Arnold h74@in.gov
Rep. Burton h58@in.gov
Rep. Clere h72@in.gov
Rep. DeVon h5@in.gov
Rep. Huston h37@in.gov
Rep. Lucas h69@in.gov
Rep. Thompson h28@in.gov

Democrats on the committee
Rep. V. Smith h14@in.gov
Rep. Battles h45@in.gov
Rep. Errington h34@in.gov
Rep. VanDenburgh h19@in.gov

Action Item: February 12, 2013Two anti-public education bills in the Indiana House need your attention and your response TODAY:

PARENT TRIGGER ACCELERATION HB 1358
ATTACK ON TEACHERS' RIGHTS HB 1339
HB 1358:
Tuesday; House Education Committee will hear the accelerated "Parent Trigger" bill to enable a minority of parents to take over community-based public schools and convert them to charter schools run by corporate "lead partners".--HB 1358 (Rep. Todd Huston, R-Fishers).

WHAT HB 1358 DOES:
Indiana's existing conversion charter school law is repealed (which requires both the school board and parents to agree on a conversion).
That law is replaced with a model that solely enables 51% of parents in a school that is labeled in the bottom two categories for three (3) consecutive years to:
- take over the school by petitioning the state board of education to assign a "lead partner" to operate the school; and
- place the school under the most draconian of sanctions that currently attach to schools in the bottom two lowest categories for five (5) consecutive years.

When is 51% not a majority? When parents are given multiple votes based upon the number of children they have in a school. Because parents are given "weighted" voting rights based upon the number of children then have in a school, a minority of parents can fundamentally change the focus, the governance, the scope of teachers' rights, and the framework of a local community-based public school.

HB 1339:

Teachers:
- Due Process: Repeals the law concerning the continuing effect of an individual teacher's contract. Without this law, contracts will terminate on their face annually and a teacher, "effective or not," will not be protected from arbitrary termination until a new contract is signed.
- Collective Bargaining: Relative to the pro rata member/nonmember composition on committees-states that all "discussion committees" fall under this pro rata framework. Existing law exempted the bargaining team from having to adhere to the member/nonmember composition because under law, the bargaining team is the EXCLUSIVE representative.
- States that the existence of a voluntary sick bank is bargainable but the terms of the sick bank policy are not. This reneges on the 2011 pledge that wages and benefits are bargainable. A voluntary sick bank is a benefit.
- Removes the provision authorizing the continuing effect of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) when agreement has not been reached. The whole point of the new collective bargaining law was to get to the point of agreement. There has been only one case in which agreement has not been reached---and that situation was created by allegations of unfair labor practices having occurred. In a case such as this, the party that committed an unfair labor practice should not be "rewarded" by terminating the existing CBA.
- Suspension without pay: Removes from law the requirement that a teacher who is subject to suspension without pay is entitled to a full statement of the reasons for the proposed suspension without pay and to be heard and to present the testimony of witnesses and other evidence. Also repeals the law that enables the school board to appoint an agent or attorney to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses for either party at the hearing to suspend a teacher without pay.

Teacher Compensation: Requires that each school district must submit its compensation model to the DOE and the DOE, the State Board of Accounts, and the IEERB and these bodies shall report any noncompliance to the State Board of Education -which is then required to take "appropriate action to ensure compliance."

Virtual Charter Schools:

Enables a virtual charter school to provide up to 90% of its program "virtually" and still qualify for state funding. Current law says 50% of instruction must be "real." The likely effect is to enable more home-schooled students to be virtually-instructed at the state's expense. There is no funding attached to this. There is no requirement that a student first attend a public school. Also, note in HB 1338, virtually funding was increased from 87.5% of Indiana's per pupil funding to 100% of Indiana's per pupil funding. The funding for these new students will come from existing public school k-12 funding.
Repeals the law that requires the DOE to report to the state on virtual schools in Indiana.

Charter Schools:

As to charter school performance reporting on the DOE website, enables each charter school authorizer to develop its own performance framework in terms of the data reported (existing law says that the annual performance data for charter schools must include the same demographic and performance data required of every other public school).

Administrators:

Provides some of the same due process "protections" to administrators that teachers have. However, because most administrators have multi-year contracts, the consequences for cancelling a contract will likely not play out in the same fashion-that being, contracts with out-going administrators generally come with some form of buyout.

Please let your representative and every member of the House Education committee know TODAY you oppose HB 1358 & HB 1339
For additional information on these two bills and to email legislators, visit:www.keepthepromiseindiana.org

Daily Action Item: February 4, 2013

The Indiana House Education Committee strikes at Public Education again! Tomorrow, HB 1338 and HB 1003 are planned to receive a hearing in the House Chambers starting at 8:30am.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Please contact the House Education Committee members (emails listed below) in separate emails for the two bills, and tell them to vote NO. For more information on how to write to your legislators, click here.

HB 1003: This is Rep. Behning's bill that would expand voucher eligibility to students who have NOT previously spent a year in public schools. It also would triple the home school and private school tax deduction to $3,000.

HB 1338: Charter Schools are public schools by law yet this bill would take them from the Dept. of Ed for reporting, funding and facilities incentive purposes and put them under the Budget Agency.

§ Teachers, all teachers, should have content area requirements for licensure yet HB 1338 removes the requirement for already unlicensed charter school teacher to have training “in the content or related area in which the individual teaches.”

§ The bill provides that a virtual charter school would receive tuition support in the same way bricks & mortar charters do.

§ And if that isn’t enough, if the bill passes, virtual schools will receive funding for all students, even those never in public schools. Home schools could receive tax money.

Contact those members of the House Education Committee who are likely to vote for this bill. Do it ASAP.

Rep. Behning, Chair, h91@in.gov

Rep. Rhoads, 70@in.gov

Rep. L. Arnold, 74@in.gov

Rep. Burton, 58@in.gov

Rep. Clere, 72@in.gov

Rep. DeVon, 5@in.gov

Rep. Huston, 37@in.gov

Rep. Lucas, 69@in.gov

Rep. Thompson, 28@in.gov

For HB 1003: Express your opposition to voucher expansion AND share your views with your representative

Ask them to vote NO on HB 1003.

For HB 1338: Explain in your words how all teachers need to have training in content areas in which they teach.

§ Discuss how funding virtual school at 100% of tuition support impacts your school.

§ Explain that funding for students never in public schools (never part of the ADM) puts traditional public schools at risk of losing even more funding without losing students.

§ Ask them to vote NO on HB 1338.

Daily Action Item: January 30, 2013

Please call or email Senator Kruse and other members of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee about SB 464. Stop this Bill where it is!

This is another effort to redirect public school tuition to nonpublic schools with no accountability standards.

SB464 guarantees the transfer of funds from a Public School to a private mental health facility specializing in the “medical treatment” of Indiana’s children. According to the bill, these institutions will provide a “comparable level” of education that the student would have received in public school. Yet these institutions are NOT required to follow the same standards as Public Schools – NO ISTEP testing requirement, NO IEP services requirement, NO providing education in all subject areas for equal time requirement, etc).

There is no argument here that the DCS should be fully funded by the State legislature so it can adequately meet the needs of all Indiana’s children. However, robbing Peter to pay Paul is not in the best interest of ANY of the children. Public Schools are not a cash siphon to private corporations - where have your Hoosier values gone! Stop this nonsense and use common sense to fund Public Schools and DCS the right way.Call or email Senator Kruse and other members of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee today about SB 464. Stop this Bill where it is!

Daily Action Item: January 29, 2013

Please CALL Rep. Behning and the other members of the House Education Committee…(Republican Members: Representatives Rhoads, Arnold, Burton, Clere, DeVon, Huston, Lucas, and Thompson...Democrat Members: Representatives Vernon Smith, Battles, Errington and VanDenburgh).

Hearings are scheduled TODAY on HB 1357 which would devalue and deprofessionalize Superintendent’s positi...ons across the State by providing that a superintendent of schools is not required to hold a teacher’s or superintendent’s license.

Also, HB 1427 will receive a hearing in the same committee seeking to delete two items from Indiana Law.
1) The Highly popular Indiana Principal’s Leadership Academy
2) The call for a Health curriculum in all Indiana Schools accompanied by a State Health Consultant.

SENATE CONTACT

January 24, 2016

"Twitter Storm"

The Support PUBLIC Education "Twitter Storm" runs from 4:00pm January 24 to 5:00pm January 25.

Here are a few tweet and/or post ideas to use when flooding twitter with PRO-PUBLIC school sentiments to counter the upcoming (January 25) Institute for Quality Education's Celebration at the Statehouse kicking off National School Choice Week.

When you tweet today tweet please tweet @HoosierVoices @i4qed @h4qed and use #INpublicED . You should also tweet @ anyone else you wish to see the tweets ( @rbehning @GovPenceIN @indystar @INSenDems @inhsedems @INHouseGOP @INSenateGOP @Ritz4Ed @sendavidlong @Brian_Bosma @GreggForGov @TheMindTrust) and use any other pertinent hashtags, for example #istandwithritz #NOvouchers #MyTaxDollars #PenceMustGo #firemikepence #ByeByeBob

Here are some ideas for tweets to get you started.

PUBLIC ED is the ONLY school choice in Indiana

Don't use my tax $ to fund vouchers

My Money = My PUBLIC schools

Celebrate PUBLIC schools NOT campaign contributors

It's time to vote FOR PUBLIC Schools and not private interests

We did it in 2012. We will do it again in 2016!

Also post links to pro-public school articles, data, and posts. Utilize posts about "flawed" research of vouchers and "poisonous" reforms. You can also use posts from i4qed, h4qed, and other pro-voucher pro-private or pro-charter groups against themselves. They tend to contradict or "misquote" in order to gain an advantage.

These next 24 hours are vital for disrupting their "celebration" and their flawed belief that PUBLIC education has lost its support. From 4:00 pm today until 5:00pm tomorrow, PUBLIC ED supporters MUST come together to flood social media with positive support for our schools, our teachers, our advocates, and OUR CHILDREN!

**Special Note - i4qed and h4qed are notorious for "blocking" those who speak out contrary to their ideas. Keep tweeting TO them and make them hear!!

February 2, 2015

#IStandWithRitz

Every member of the Senate Rules & Legislative Committee needs to hear from you TODAY, by phone & email. Make the calls and let them know that you stand with Ritz!

Hearings on: SB 1, SB 452, and SB 453 are slated for tomorrow morning and ALL are aimed at disenfranchising voters right to choose the State Superintendent and limit Glenda's ability to lead.

Tell them that all three of these bills need to be voted down, that they are a violation of the very rights our Founding Fathers fought to create in this great country. The voters have a right to Representative Government and those put in positions of power should care enough about American principles to stand up for these rights, no matter what.

POSSIBLE REPUBLICAN SWING VOTERS ON THE COMMITTEE:

Ed Charbonneau - 317-232-9494
Brandt Hershman - 317-232-6840
Brent Steele - 317-232-9814
James Merritt - 317-232-9533
Douglas Eckerty - 317-232-9466

DEMOCRATS THAT NEED TO HEAR YOUR SUPPORT OF THEIR 'NO' VOTE:

James ArnoldJean Breaux - 800-382-9467
Tim Lanane - 800-382-9467
Karen Tallian - 800-382-9467

GUARANTEED 'YES' VOTERS | NOT VALUABLE CONTACT:

Travis Holdman - Authored all 3 of these pieces of garbage legislation
Dennis Kruse - Notorious lackey to the reform agenda in Indiana
David Long - Power hungry reformer that is parading this bill around the Senate for political favors

January 27, 2014

The House Education Committee will take up House Bill 1609, authored by Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, which makes good on Gov. Mike Pence’s promise last month to seek a change in state law that would allow the state board to elect a replacement for Ritz as its chair. State law currently dictates that the state superintendent, who is elected statewide, will chair the board.

CONTACT HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE NOW

February 20, 2013

ALERT FROM VIC SMITH

Dear Friends,

The huge voucher expansion bill, House Bill 1003, is scheduled for a final vote in the House tomorrow morning, Thursday, Feb. 21st. The session begins at 10:00am. Please contact any and all members of the House tonight and tomorrow before the vote to express your deep opposition.

Many other issues have been raised this week, but the true damage to public education will come if the precedent setting voucher bill is passed. The focus tonight must remain on the educational question of our generation: Will education for young Americans be delivered through public schools or will education increasingly be privatized with state dollars?

Many of the current controversial bills have been raised as part of a strategy to distract public school advocates from the voucher bill. If the precedent can be set that state tax money can freely be spent directly for school vouchers, not just as a money saver for when public school students transfer over to private schools, but as state payments for students already in private schools, then the unraveling of public education is assured. House Bill 1003 sets this precedent.

How much money is to be freely spent for students already in private schools? The House Ways and Means Committee voted out a smaller version of HB 1003 on Monday by a vote of 14-7. The opposing votes included all Democrats along with Rep. Dermody and Rep. Truitt. They should be thanked.

Here are the improvements made Monday, no doubt due to your persistent messages of opposition:
· the increase in the tax deduction for home school and private school parents for expenses was dropped altogether. It will remain at $1000 as in current law.
· The minimum voucher will be $5000, not $5500. Current law says $4500.
· Special education students already in private schools must have a family income of $85,000 or less to get a voucher. In the education committee version, no means test existed.
· Children of veterans already in private schools must have a family income of $85,000 or less. In the education committee version, vouchers would go to those making up to $127,000.

Your notes, calls and letters helped immensely in trimming the cost of this bill in half. Instead of a $47 fiscal cost, the estimated cost now stands at $26 million. Tell your House member that is still too much!

That cost breaks down in this way:

1) $5 million more for tax credits going to preschools through Scholarship Granting Organizations.
2) $1.9 million more, according to the LSA fiscal analysts, for increasing the Gr. 1-8 vouchers from $4500 to $5000. That is an 11% increase, when K-12 tuition support is budgeted for a 2% increase.
3) $12.8 million more for special education students already in private schools! That is found by taking the number of special education students in private schools (4211) times 75% (estimated percent of such student in families making up to $85,000) times $4083 (LSA’s figure for each voucher).
4) $6.6 million more for children of veterans already in private schools. That is found by taking just 3% of the 72,000 counted in private schools on the IDOE website times 75% expected to meet the $85,000 income limit times $4083 per voucher.

This adds up to over $26 million, and it is a conservative estimate. It doesn’t include private school vouchers for all foster children already in private schools, and it doesn’t include the entering kindergarten siblings of current voucher students.

Of the $26 million above, $21 million will come out of K-12 tuition support. Even with this conservative estimate, $21 million dollars will eat up 16% -- one sixth!– of the $129 million dollar increase for K-12 tuition support in the House budget. Don’t let anyone tell you that schools are getting a 2% increase!

Many stories could be told about events of today or yesterday. It has been intense. The stories, however, must wait as you go to work contacting House members about the enormous voucher expansion bill, HB 1003.

House member emails and a handout on HB 1003 are attached. Anything you can do tonight and tomorrow will be a help!

Thanks for all you are doing to support public education!

Best wishes,

Vic Smith

February 6, 2013

It looks like the Indiana House Education Committee will vote tomorrow on a plan to significantly expand the state’s already generous private-school voucher program. Hoosiers who care about public education should fight this every step of the way . . .

February 5, 2013

AGENDA FOR: Education and Career Development

MEETING: February 6, 130PM, SENATE CHAMBER

CHAIR: Kruse

VICE-CHAIR:

MEMBERS: Yoder R.M., Banks, Buck, Kenley, Pete Miller, Leising, Schneider, Rogers R.M.M., Broden, Mrvan, Taylor

AGENDA: SB 0098 SB 0177 SB 0180 SB 0182 SB 0209 SB 0402 SB 0406 SB 0409

NOTES: ***NOTE*** PREVIOUS BILLS WILL BE POSTED ON 2/13 FOR AMEND AND VOTE ONLY

February 4, 2013

The Indiana House Education Committee strikes at Public Education again! Tomorrow, HB 1338 and HB 1003 are planned to receive a hearing in the House Chambers starting at 8:30am.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Please contact the House Education Committee members (emails listed below) in separate emails for the two bills, and tell them to vote NO. For more information on how to write to your legislators, click here.

HB 1003: This is Rep. Behning's bill that would expand voucher eligibility to students who have NOT previously spent a year in public schools. It also would triple the home school and private school tax deduction to $3,000.

HB 1338: Charter Schools are public schools by law yet this bill would take them from the Dept. of Ed for reporting, funding and facilities incentive purposes and put them under the Budget Agency.

Teachers, all teachers, should have content area requirements for licensure yet HB 1338 removes the requirement for already unlicensed charter school teacher to have training “in the content or related area in which the individual teaches.”

The bill provides that a virtual charter school would receive tuition support in the same way bricks & mortar charters do.

And if that isn’t enough, if the bill passes, virtual schools will receive funding for all students, even those never in public schools. Home schools could receive tax money.

Contact those members of the House Education Committee who are likely to vote for this bill. Do it ASAP.

Rep. Behning, Chair, h91@in.gov

Rep. Rhoads, h70@in.gov

Rep. L. Arnold, h74@in.gov

Rep. Burton, h58@in.gov

Rep. Clere, h72@in.gov

Rep. DeVon, h5@in.gov

Rep. Huston, h37@in.gov

Rep. Lucas, h69@in.gov

Rep. Thompson, h28@in.gov

For HB 1003: Express your opposition to voucher expansion AND share your views with your representative

Ask them to vote NO on HB 1003.

For HB 1338: Explain in your words how all teachers need to have training in content areas in which they teach.

Discuss how funding virtual school at 100% of tuition support impacts your school.

Explain that funding for students never in public schools (never part of the ADM) puts traditional public schools at risk of losing even more funding without losing students.

Ask them to vote NO on HB 1338.

Click to search by bill number.

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/

CHARTER SCHOOL BILLS

HB1009	FREEDOM TO TEACH ACT. (BEHNING R) Allows a governing body of one or more school corporations to establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district. Establishes the freedom to teach grant fund to provide grants to governing bodies that establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Thompson
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/15/2015 - First Reading

HB1635	DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PILOT PROGRAM. (BEHNING R) Establishes the dual language immersion pilot program to provide grants to school corporations and charter schools that establish dual language immersion programs in certain foreign languages. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Mayfield

HB1636	CHARTER SCHOOLS. (BEHNING R) Provides that a governing body of a school corporation and a nonprofit college or university must register with the state board of education (state board) before it may authorize an initial charter for a charter school after June 30, 2015. Makes changes to the definition of an "organizer". Requires the state board to provide a formal evaluation of the overall state of charter school outcomes in Indiana every five years. Provides that a charter school may give enrollment preference to children of the charter school's founders, governing body members, and charter school employees, as long as preference is not given to more that 10% of the charter school's total population. Provides that conversion charter schools are not subject to teacher contract and condition of employment requirements.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Moed
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/22/2015 - First Reading

FUNDING AND FINANCE

HB1027	REFERENDA FOR CONTROLLED PROJECTS AND SCHOOL LEVIES. (FRIZZELL D) Provides that a referendum on a controlled project may be held only at a general election, if the preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the controlled project is made after June 30, 2015. Provides that a referendum for a referendum tax levy of a school corporation may be held only at a general election, if the resolution to hold the referendum is adopted after June 30, 2015.
	*Current Status:*	1/21/2015 - House Elections and Apportionment, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Smith, M. added as coauthor 1/15/2015 - House Elections and Apportionment, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

HB1028	CAPITAL PROJECT FUND USES. (MCNAMARA W) Extends the authority for a school corporation to use money in its capital projects fund to pay the costs of insurance and utilities through December 31, 2017.
	*Current Status:*	1/29/2015 - House Ways and Means, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to House Ways and Means 1/6/2015 - First Reading

HB1100	SCHOOL EFFICIENCY GRANTS. (FRYE R) Establishes the school efficiency grant program to provide one or more school corporations grants to implement plans that would make one or more school corporations more cost effective. Establishes the school efficiency grant fund.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Representative Cook added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 1/20/2015 - Referred to House Ways and Means

HB1123	DONATIONS TO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS. (PORTER G) Reenacts a provision (which expired in 2012) that authorizes a school corporation to donate up to $25,000 per year from any fund of the school corporation from which the donation may be made legally to a public school endowment corporation or nonprofit charitable community foundation if the donation is matched by a private donor. Specifies that the principal and income from the donation shall be distributed only to the school corporation as directed by resolution of the governing body of the school corporation, and that the school corporation may use the distributions only for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education or extend learning opportunities for students of the school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Karickhoff added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Smith M 1/8/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1189	PROPERTY TAXES. (SMITH V) Permits the department of local government finance, with the approval of the attorney general, to waive all or part of the property taxes imposed on property owned by a: (1) nonprofit corporation organized for educational, literary, scientific, religious, or charitable purposes; or (2) nonprofit entity, other than a corporation, that is organized as a church or religious entity. Provides that certain requirements must be met before a taxpayer's property tax liability may be waived.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Truitt
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to House Ways and Means 1/12/2015 - First Reading

HB1483	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Provides that a transition to teaching program participant may obtain a license to teach in prekindergarten if the participant meets certain requirements. Provides that a school corporation may include and account for proceeds from rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, in separate funds apart from the general fund. Provides that money received from the proceeds of rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, may be disbursed without appropriation. Provides that if the school is closed on a noninstructional day on which the teacher is required to work or teacher professional development training or education is provided and the work day or the training or education is rescheduled, each teacher shall work on that rescheduled day without additional compensation. Provides that a district wide or school wide committee that has teacher members who are members of the exclusive representative and teacher members who are not members of the exclusive representative may address discussion topics subject to bargaining. Provides that a provision relating to local salary scale increases applies upon the expiration of a contract or part of a contract in existence on July 1, 2011. Provides for the reimbursement of a mediator in a collective bargaining proceeding. Provides that the Indiana education employment relations board (IEERB) may appoint a financial consultant to assist a factfinder during mediation. Provides for reimbursement of IEERB by the parties involved in mediation. Provides that the complaint for an unfair practice must be filed within three years after the alleged unfair practice or within three years after the date on which the school employer or school employee reasonably should have known of the alleged unfair practice. Provides that a person who has served as a mediator in a dispute between a school employer and an exclusive representative may not serve as a factfinder in a dispute arising in the same school corporation within a period of two years except by the mutual consent of the parties. Changes the date in which a factfinding hearing in an impasse procedure must occur. Provides that the factfinding process in an impasse procedure may not exceed 30 days. Urges the legislative council to assign to an existing study committee the topic of determining appropriate and feasible incentives to encourage highly effective teachers to teach in poor performing schools.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1635	DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PILOT PROGRAM. (BEHNING R) Establishes the dual language immersion pilot program to provide grants to school corporations and charter schools that establish dual language immersion programs in certain foreign languages. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Mayfield

HB1640	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (BEHNING R) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide school wide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Requires the department of education to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspension or expulsion, especially for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Requires the state board of education to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Porter
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/22/2015 - First Reading

SB40	ADM FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN. (TALLIAN K) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, provides that a kindergarten pupil is counted as one pupil (rather than 1/2 pupil) for purposes of ADM and school funding if the student is enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Karen Tallian

SB42	ADMINISTRATION OF COUNTY INCOME TAXES. (KRUSE D) Provides that for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015, a county imposing a county income tax (rather than the department of state revenue) has the authority and responsibility for the administration, collection, and enforcement of the tax. Requires taxpayers to file county income tax returns with the county treasurer of the county that imposed the tax. Requires taxpayers to pay county income tax to the county treasurer of the county that imposed the tax. Provides that withholdings of county income taxes shall be remitted to the county treasurer of the county that imposed the tax. Repeals provisions related to: (1) the state collection of county income taxes; and (2) the calculation and distribution by the state of certified distributions of county income taxes. Specifies that certain provisions related to the department of state revenue's administration of state taxes also apply to a county administering a county income tax. Provides that on February 1, 2016, and on November 1, 2016, the auditor of state shall transfer to each county 95% of the balance on those dates of county income tax collections held by the state. Specifies that: (1) the balances remaining after making those transfers shall be used by the state to pay any refunds of county taxes for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2016; and (2) on January 1, 2019, any remaining balances shall be transferred to the county. Makes technical corrections.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Dennis Kruse

SB49	SCHOOL CORPORATION CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDS. (TALLIAN K) Provides that money in a school corporation's capital projects fund may be used to pay for the purchase, lease, maintenance, or repair of maintenance vehicles. Provides permanent authority for a school corporation to use money in its capital projects fund to pay the costs of insurance and utilities. (Under current law, this authority extends only through 2015.)
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Karen Tallian

SB119	ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS. (KRUSE D) Provides that a school corporation may participate in an interscholastic athletic association or association event only if the association meets certain requirements regarding annual physical examinations or certifications from a physician.
	*Current Status:*	1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development 1/6/2015 - First Reading

SB187	DONATIONS TO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS. (WALTZ B) Reenacts a provision (which expired in 2012) that authorizes a school corporation to donate up to $25,000 per year from any fund of the school corporation from which the donation may be legally made to a public school endowment corporation or nonprofit charitable community foundation if the donation is matched by a private donor. Specifies that the principal and income from the donation shall be distributed only to the school corporation as directed by resolution of the governing body of the school corporation, and that the school corporation may use the distributions for supplies, services, or other expenses directly related to programs or activities that improve student outcomes, learning, or performance, or assist teachers.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 68(b); reassigned to Committee Tax and Fiscal Policy
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - reassigned to the Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 1/15/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted, reassigned to Appropriations

SB277	SCHOOL COUNSELORS. (MERRITT J) Requires a school corporation to employ at least one school counselor at each elementary school, not including private or charter schools, maintained by the school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Kruse added as third author 1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

SB340	STATE PAYMENTS FOR SCHOOL TEXTBOOK COSTS. (ROGERS E) Requires public schools to provide curricular materials to students at no cost to a student. Establishes the curricular materials fund for the purpose of providing state reimbursements for costs incurred by public schools to provide curricular material to students at no cost. Provides that the department of education shall administer the fund. Appropriates money in the fund. Makes corresponding changes.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Earline Rogers

SB345	RESIDENT TUITION RATE. (ROGERS E) Provides that an individual, except for certain nonimmigrants, who: (1) attends a high school in Indiana for at least three years; (2) registers as an entering student at or is currently enrolled in a state educational institution not earlier than the fall semester (or its equivalent, as determined by the state educational institution) of the 2015-2016 academic year; and (3) graduated from a high school located in Indiana or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Indiana; is eligible for the resident tuition rate. Requires such an individual to verify that the individual meets the criteria to receive the resident tuition rate.
	*Current Status:*	1/29/2015 - Senate Appropriations, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Kenley added as second author 1/8/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations

SB356	WORK ETHIC CERTIFICATION AND GRANTS. (GROOMS R) Establishes the work ethic certification program under which a student who develops skills necessary for success in higher education or employment receives a work ethic certificate upon graduation. Provides a grant to school corporations in the amount of $300 for each student who received a work ethic certificate in the school year ending in the previous fiscal year.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Houchin added as second author
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Steele removed as second author 1/20/2015 - Senator Steele added as second author

SB369	POLITICAL SUBDIVISION INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. (MILLER P) Requires local governments and school corporations to provide information for posting on the Indiana transparency Internet web site as follows: (1) Expenditures categorized by personal services, other operating expenses or total operating expenses, and debt service, including lease payments, related to debt. (2) A listing of fund balances, specifically identifying balances in funds that are being used for accumulation of money for future capital needs .Requires the department of local government finance (department) after July 31, 2016, to publish an annual financial and operational summary of each political subdivision on the Indiana transparency Internet web site. Requires a political subdivision that has a public web site to publish a link to the Indiana transparency web site. Requires the department to determine the summary's form, content, and publishing dates. Provides that the department of education determines the educational performance information to be included in the summary published by a school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed 1/26/2015 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

SB401	PROTECTED TAXES AND SCHOOL CORPORATIONS. (LANANE T) Makes permanent the fund allocation of property tax reductions resulting from the granting of property tax circuit breaker credits for some school corporations.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - First Reading 1/12/2015 - Authored By Timothy Lanane

SB448	SCHOOL CORPORATION FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. (ROGERS E) Establishes the financially distressed school corporation appeals board to evaluate and authorize emergency relief to school corporations that the board determines are unable to carry out their public education responsibilities. Establishes the distressed school fund. Permits a loan or advance from the counter-cyclical revenue and economic stabilization fund, the distressed school fund, or the common school fund to a distressed school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - First Reading 1/12/2015 - Authored By Earline Rogers

SB566	EDUCATION. (MISHLER R) Replaces ISTEP program testing with BEST testing program for school years beginning after June 30, 2016, and eliminates end of Core 40 course assessments after the 2014-2015 school year. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations other than the Indianapolis Public Schools. Extends the school performance grant program through the 2016-2017 school year, and makes changes in the calculation and use of the grant for stipends to teachers. Permits teachers to receive a supplemental amount for completion of certain master's degrees. Requires the department of education to establish a program to permit an individual with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and a minor in education to obtain a teaching license. Requires school employers to bring collective bargaining agreements into conformity with law, provides for oversight by the education employment relations board to bring these agreements into compliance, permits certificated employees to be paid based on adopted salary ranges rather than salary schedules, and makes other changes in collective bargaining.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Eckerty added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Coauthored by Senator Charbonneau 1/20/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

HB1009	FREEDOM TO TEACH ACT. (BEHNING R) Allows a governing body of one or more school corporations to establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district. Establishes the freedom to teach grant fund to provide grants to governing bodies that establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Thompson
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/15/2015 - First Reading

HB1483	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Provides that a transition to teaching program participant may obtain a license to teach in prekindergarten if the participant meets certain requirements. Provides that a school corporation may include and account for proceeds from rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, in separate funds apart from the general fund. Provides that money received from the proceeds of rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, may be disbursed without appropriation. Provides that if the school is closed on a noninstructional day on which the teacher is required to work or teacher professional development training or education is provided and the work day or the training or education is rescheduled, each teacher shall work on that rescheduled day without additional compensation. Provides that a district wide or school wide committee that has teacher members who are members of the exclusive representative and teacher members who are not members of the exclusive representative may address discussion topics subject to bargaining. Provides that a provision relating to local salary scale increases applies upon the expiration of a contract or part of a contract in existence on July 1, 2011. Provides for the reimbursement of a mediator in a collective bargaining proceeding. Provides that the Indiana education employment relations board (IEERB) may appoint a financial consultant to assist a factfinder during mediation. Provides for reimbursement of IEERB by the parties involved in mediation. Provides that the complaint for an unfair practice must be filed within three years after the alleged unfair practice or within three years after the date on which the school employer or school employee reasonably should have known of the alleged unfair practice. Provides that a person who has served as a mediator in a dispute between a school employer and an exclusive representative may not serve as a factfinder in a dispute arising in the same school corporation within a period of two years except by the mutual consent of the parties. Changes the date in which a factfinding hearing in an impasse procedure must occur. Provides that the factfinding process in an impasse procedure may not exceed 30 days. Urges the legislative council to assign to an existing study committee the topic of determining appropriate and feasible incentives to encourage highly effective teachers to teach in poor performing schools.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education

SB234	SCHOOL EMPLOYEE UNION DUES. (SMITH J) Allows a school employer to deduct union dues from a school employee's salary at the request of the school employee. (Current law requires a school employer to deduct union dues from a school employee's salary at the request of the school employee.)
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Pensions and Labor
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By James Smith

SB302	EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR NONUNION TEACHERS. (MILLER P) Provides that a teacher who is not a member of the exclusive representative (union) may enter into an employment contract with a school corporation that contains terms that differ from the terms set forth in the collective bargaining agreement. Provides that a teacher who enters into such an employment contract waives the teacher's statutory due process rights if the teacher's employment is terminated. Provides that it is not an unfair labor practice for a school corporation to enter into the employment contract.
	*Current Status:*	1/14/2015 - Senate Pensions and Labor, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Senator Smith added as second author 1/12/2015 - Sen. Smith added as second author

SB500	EDUCATION DEREGULATION. (MILLER P) Makes comprehensive revisions to the Indiana Code relating to all aspects of the administration of schools and school corporations and the education of students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Repeals various obsolete provisions and provisions that limit local control of schools. Establishes a school reporting oversight committee to review all reporting requirements by the state for schools. Authorizes public agencies to charge a search and detection fee of $20 per hour for certain public information requests. Expands the list of items for which a state agency may not impose a fee under the public records law, and further regulates the public records fees that state agencies may charge. Repeals a provision allowing the commissioner of the department of labor to adopt rules to require certain employers to make and maintain records of and make reports on work related deaths, injuries, and illnesses. Removes a requirement that a local government authority awarding a public work contract to a bidder other than the lowest bidder must state in the authority's minutes or memoranda the factors used to determine the bidder awarded the contract. Provides that school accreditation is optional for schools. Makes conforming and technical amendments.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development 1/14/2015 - First Reading

SB538	TEACHER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. (YODER C) Provides that the Indiana education employment relations board (board) must publish a model salary schedule that a school corporation may adopt. (Current law requires the department of education (department) to publish a model salary schedule.) Adds a definition of "professional employee organization". Provides that a school employer shall submit a copy of the affidavit submitted by the exclusive representative indicating the number of teachers who are members of the exclusive representative to the board. Provides that if the board determines that the affidavit indicates that the exclusive representative does not represent a majority of the employees, the board shall investigate the affidavit. Provides that after investigation by the board, the board may, if necessary, hold a hearing concerning representation by the school employee organization, and, based on the results of the hearing, direct an election by secret ballot within the bargaining unit to determine representation. Provides that an election based on the investigation of an affidavit may be held only once in a five year period. Removes requirements that a school corporation submit its local salary schedule to the department for posting on the department's Internet web site. Provides that the board must rule on an appeal of a factfinder's decision within 60 days of receipt of the notice of appeal. Provides that factfinding by a factfinder may not last longer than 30 days. Provides that the board shall appoint an individual or an ad hoc panel to review each collective bargaining agreement and make a recommendation regarding its compliance with collective bargaining requirements. Authorizes the board to take certain actions for collective bargaining agreements that do not comply with collective bargaining requirements. Provides that the public hearing for a collective bargaining impasse proceeding may begin not earlier than October 1 in the first year of the state budget biennium and must be concluded by February 1 of the year following the commencement of bargaining. Requires the board to develop and maintain a form summarizing a school employee's rights and protections. Requires a school corporation, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, to distribute the form to the school corporation's employees. Requires a school corporation to establish and maintain procedures or policies that provide equal treatment of and equal access for professional employee organizations. Requires a bargaining unit to have an election before July 1, 2017, to certify an employee organization as an exclusive representative.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Pensions and Labor, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to Pensions and Labor 1/14/2015 - First Reading

SB566	EDUCATION. (MISHLER R) Replaces ISTEP program testing with BEST testing program for school years beginning after June 30, 2016, and eliminates end of Core 40 course assessments after the 2014-2015 school year. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations other than the Indianapolis Public Schools. Extends the school performance grant program through the 2016-2017 school year, and makes changes in the calculation and use of the grant for stipends to teachers. Permits teachers to receive a supplemental amount for completion of certain master's degrees. Requires the department of education to establish a program to permit an individual with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and a minor in education to obtain a teaching license. Requires school employers to bring collective bargaining agreements into conformity with law, provides for oversight by the education employment relations board to bring these agreements into compliance, permits certificated employees to be paid based on adopted salary ranges rather than salary schedules, and makes other changes in collective bargaining.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Eckerty added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Coauthored by Senator Charbonneau 1/20/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development

GENERAL SCHOOL POLICY

HB1009	FREEDOM TO TEACH ACT. (BEHNING R) Allows a governing body of one or more school corporations to establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district. Establishes the freedom to teach grant fund to provide grants to governing bodies that establish a freedom to teach school, zone, or district.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Thompson
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/15/2015 - First Reading

HB1056	STUDENT TRANSFERS. (SOLIDAY E) Provides that a student may transfer to a school corporation if the student's parent is an employee of the school corporation and the school corporation has the capacity to accept the student. Provides that an elementary school student who attended an accredited nonpublic elementary school in the attendance area of a school corporation in which the student does not have legal settlement may attend a high school in the school corporation if the school corporation: (1) has the capacity to accept the student and the majority of the students in the same grade as the transferring student at the accredited nonpublic school have legal settlement in the transferee school corporation; (2) has only one high school; and (3) does not have a policy to accept transfer students.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Third reading passed;
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - House Bills on Third Reading 1/22/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed

HB1100	SCHOOL EFFICIENCY GRANTS. (FRYE R) Establishes the school efficiency grant program to provide one or more school corporations grants to implement plans that would make one or more school corporations more cost effective. Establishes the school efficiency grant fund.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Representative Cook added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 1/20/2015 - Referred to House Ways and Means

HB1128	LIFELONG LEARNING ACCOUNTS. (ERRINGTON S) Requires the education savings authority (authority) to establish and administer a lifelong learning account program. Specifies that a lifelong learning account established for a participating individual must: (1) be an account in a financial institution; and (2) allow a participating individual to deposit, from the individual's earned income, money that may be matched by the participating individual's employer, a financial institution, the state, or any other entity, and that will be used by the participating individual for education and training costs at a postsecondary educational institution, a vocational school, or a training program that may lead to employment for the individual. Requires the authority to seek grants and other funding for the program from public and private entities. Provides that money withdrawn from a participating individual's lifelong learning account is not subject to state income taxation if the money is used by the participating individual for specified education and training costs. Provides a state tax credit to an individual or an individual's employer for contributions to a lifelong learning account. Specifies that money in a participating individual's lifelong learning account may not be considered: (1) an asset of the participating individual when determining the individual's eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; or (2) a countable asset for purposes of township assistance.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to House Ways and Means
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Sue Errington

HB1129	PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION. (ERRINGTON S) Expands the prekindergarten pilot program to include 13 counties that were selected as finalist counties by the office of the secretary of family and social services but were not selected as one of the five initial pilot counties. Provides that the pilot program in finalist counties is to be funded from the state lottery administrative trust fund. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Mahan added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - Coauthored by Representatives Bauer and Saunders 1/8/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1178	SUPERINTENDENT COMPENSATION. (KARICKHOFF M) Provides that a school corporation is not required to have a public hearing relating to a school superintendent's employment contract if the superintendent receives an annual salary increase that is not specified in the superintendent's contract for employment if the annual salary increase: (1) applies to all employees of the school corporation; and (2) is in an amount equal to or less than that received by the employees of the school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - First Reading 1/12/2015 - Authored By Michael Karickhoff

HB1188	STUDENT TEACHING. (SMITH V) Requires a student teaching agreement to include a provision requiring a student who is required to complete a student teaching requirement to be supervised by a certificated employee that has been rated as either highly effective or effective on the certificated employee's latest annual performance evaluation. Makes a technical correction.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Third reading passed;
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - House Bills on Third Reading 1/22/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed

HB1194	SPECIAL EDUCATION. (CLERE E) Provides that one of the members of the state board of education must be a special education teacher or director. Requires a school corporation to establish a curriculum of vocational, technical, and employment skills courses that certain students with disabilities may complete as alternative requirements to receive a general diploma. Provides that, beginning with the annual case review when a student who is a child with a disability is in grade 8, the student's individualized education program must include the type of diploma the student will seek and the courses necessary to obtain the diploma. Provides that, beginning with grade 9, the student's teacher of record must communicate with the student's parent at least one time each semester to review the student's progress toward the diploma.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Representative Schaibley added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Schaibley added as coauthor 1/12/2015 - Coauthored by Representatives Burton and Austin

HB1198	YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL. (MCNAMARA W) Increases the membership of the youth advisory council (council) from 22 members to 23 members. Provides that the Indiana association of student councils designates the additional member of the council. Provides that the council may adopt bylaws to govern its organization and proceedings.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Truitt
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to House Rules and Legislative Procedures 1/12/2015 - First Reading

HB1486	EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Requires the state board of education (state board) to adopt voluntary prekindergarten standards that align with the kindergarten through grade 12 standards. Provides that records of the state board shall be kept by the state board. (Current law provides that the records are kept by the state superintendent of public instruction.) Provides that the state board oversees the operation of turnaround academies. Provides that the state board shall appoint an executive director of the state board. Provides that the state board may employ third party experts and consultants to assist the state board in carrying out the state board's functions. Provides that the state board is considered a state educational authority within the meaning of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Provides that the department of education (department) shall provide any data necessary to conduct an audit or evaluation of any federal or state supported program principally engaged in the provision of education. Provides that the state board may adopt rules relating to performance qualified schools. Provides that a model teacher evaluation plan developed by the department must be approved by the state board. Authorizes the state board to establish academic standards in subject areas determined appropriate by the state board. Provides that the update of academic standards must be revised on a schedule determined by the state board. Makes changes to who may be appointed to the academic standards committee. Provides that the state board may obtain assistance from the legislative services agency with the approval of the legislative council or another entity to ensure the validity and reliability of the performance category or designation placements calculated by the department. Makes various changes to the administration of the ISTEP program. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the assessment of school performance. Requires the state board to require IREAD-3 as a statewide assessment to assess reading skills in grade 3.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/14/2015 - First Reading

HB1637	ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPTS. (BEHNING R) Requires state educational institutions, in collaboration with the commission for higher education, to: (1) develop a common electronic transcript, using common data fields and formats, that could be used by state educational institutions and participating Indiana nonprofit or privately endowed institutions to transmit and receive postsecondary educational institution transcripts; (2) prepare recommendations for implementation of an electronic transcript system in Indiana; and (3) prepare recommendations for the development and implementation of an alternative common electronic transcript based on competencies a student has mastered.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Authored By Robert Behning

HB1639	VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the state board of education (state board) to establish a statewide student record repository of public school student achievement records to provide: (1) access to relevant student information to parents and school corporations; (2) for the transfer of student information between school corporations; and (3) a student data backup for school corporations. Prohibits an agency from releasing, selling, or otherwise transferring student information to any entity unless all identifying information concerning students has been redacted or the general assembly has enacted legislation expressly authorizing the release, sale, or transfer. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine). Provides that the state board shall adopt rules to establish a procedure to require the department of education (department) to investigate irregularities in the test results of the ISTEP program or a successor statewide assessment. Requires the department to investigate assessment results if the number of irregularities meets a threshold established by the state board. Provides that, before July 1, 2016, the state board shall develop a survey to be used by a school corporation to allow parents and grade appropriate students to evaluate certificated employees. Provides that beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, a school corporation must offer parents and applicable students the opportunity to complete the survey, which shall be provided to a certificated employee by the certificated employee's evaluator when the certificated employee receives an evaluation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Authored By Robert Behning

HB1640	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (BEHNING R) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide school wide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Requires the department of education to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspension or expulsion, especially for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Requires the state board of education to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Porter
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/22/2015 - First Reading

HB1641	PRINCIPAL ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM. (BEHNING R) Requires Western Governors University Indiana to establish and maintain a program of study to provide principal endorsements to individuals who successfully complete the program.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Cook
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/22/2015 - First Reading

SB1	STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION GOVERNANCE. (HOLDMAN T) Makes changes to the composition of the state board of education (state board). Provides that the state board may hire staff and administrative support. Provides that the state board shall meet once every six months and at the call of the chairperson. Provides that the state board shall elect a chairperson annually from the members of the state board. Requires the chairperson to provide notice of a state board meeting and make the agenda for the state board meeting available on the state board's and the department of education's Internet web sites at least 14 days before the meeting. Provides that a member of the state board may submit a request to the chairperson to amend the agenda at least seven days before the state board meeting. Provides that if the chairperson does not respond or refuses to amend the state board's agenda, the agenda may be amended to include the agenda item requested at the current or subsequent state board meeting with a majority vote of the state board. Provides that the state board may not take official action on an agenda item added at the current meeting until the next subsequent state board meeting.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Referred to Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure
	*Recent Status:*	1/13/2015 - First Reading 1/13/2015 - Authored By Holdman, Travis

SB24	SELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. (BUCK J) Provides for the state superintendent of public instruction (superintendent) to be appointed by the governor after January 10, 2021. Provides that, after January 10, 2021, the governor appoints the members of the education roundtable and the superintendent serves as the chair of the roundtable. (Under current law, the governor and the superintendent jointly appoint the members and serve as co-chairs.) Provides that, after January 10, 2021, the governor appoints the members of the charter school review panel. (Under current law, the superintendent, or the governor jointly with the superintendent, appoints the members of the panel.) Provides that, after January 10, 2021, the governor appoints the director of special education. (Under current law, the governor appoints the director of special education upon the recommendation of the superintendent.) Provides that a statute relating to the residency of candidates for state superintendent of public instruction expires January 1, 2017.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By James Buck

SB109	SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. (MILLER P) Provides that, with exceptions, the duty to support the educational needs of a child ceases when the child becomes 19 years of age. (Current law allows for a duty to support the educational needs of a child after the child becomes 19 years of age.) Provides that: (1) the change in the duty to support the educational needs of a child does not affect a support order for the support of a child's educational needs after the child is 19 years of age that was issued before July 1, 2015; and (2) a support order for the support of a child's educational needs after the child becomes 19 years of age that was issued before July 1, 2015, remains in effect and is enforceable.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Senate Civil Law
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Pete Miller

SB129	ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE VOUCHER. (BRODEN J) Provides that a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program: (1) is eligible to participate in the program if the child's family income does not exceed 200% of the federal income poverty level; and (2) may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds 250% of the federal income poverty level. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Family & Children Services
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By John Broden

SB187	DONATIONS TO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS. (WALTZ B) Reenacts a provision (which expired in 2012) that authorizes a school corporation to donate up to $25,000 per year from any fund of the school corporation from which the donation may be legally made to a public school endowment corporation or nonprofit charitable community foundation if the donation is matched by a private donor. Specifies that the principal and income from the donation shall be distributed only to the school corporation as directed by resolution of the governing body of the school corporation, and that the school corporation may use the distributions for supplies, services, or other expenses directly related to programs or activities that improve student outcomes, learning, or performance, or assist teachers.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 68(b); reassigned to Committee Tax and Fiscal Policy
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - reassigned to the Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 1/15/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted, reassigned to Appropriations

SB230	SCHOOL CORPORATION REPORTS. (MILLER P) Requires certain additional information to be reported on a school corporation's annual performance report (report). Requires a school corporation to make the report available on the school corporation's Internet web site. (Current law provides that a school corporation may make the report available on its Internet web site.) Requires the school corporation to conduct a public hearing within 60 days after publication of the report. (Current law provides that a school corporation may conduct a public hearing within 60 days of publication of the report.)
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Pete Miller

SB235	ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. (SMITH J) Provides that the elected members of the governing body of certain school corporations are elected on a partisan basis, beginning after December 31, 2014. Makes conforming changes to related sections.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Senate Elections
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By James Smith

SB267	BILITERACY. (KRUSE D) Establishes the state seal of biliteracy to recognize public school graduates who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. Requires the state board of education to adopt rules and to direct the department of education to administer the state seal of biliteracy program. Provides that a school corporation or charter school is not required to participate in the state seal of biliteracy program.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Stoops added as coauthor 1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

SB271	COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING GRANT. (KRUSE D) Establishes the college and career readiness certificate grant to assist school guidance counselors in obtaining a college and career readiness certificate from an approved postsecondary educational institution. Establishes the college and career readiness certificate grant fund. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/7/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/7/2015 - First Reading 1/7/2015 - Authored By Kruse, Dennis

SB277	SCHOOL COUNSELORS. (MERRITT J) Requires a school corporation to employ at least one school counselor at each elementary school, not including private or charter schools, maintained by the school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Kruse added as third author 1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

SB301	AGE FOR COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. (TAYLOR G) Provides that, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, a student shall enroll in a kindergarten program not later than the fall term of the school year in which the student becomes five years of age (rather than seven years of age). Makes conforming amendments.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Greg Taylor

SB310	ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS. (MERRITT J) Makes changes to the requirements as to what information must be reported on a school corporation's annual performance report. Provides that when a student is expelled from school, the department of education shall deposit the remaining state tuition support for the expelled student into the alternative education fund to be used to provide grants to alternative education programs. Establishes the alternative education fund.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Senator Bassler added as second author
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development 1/8/2015 - First Reading

SB315	SCHOOL PROPERTY. (SMITH J) Removes a provision that allows a consolidated school corporation to transfer property to the township from which the consolidated school corporation received the property, only if the township uses the property for park and recreation purposes.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Local Government, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Senate Local Government 1/8/2015 - First Reading

SB340	STATE PAYMENTS FOR SCHOOL TEXTBOOK COSTS. (ROGERS E) Requires public schools to provide curricular materials to students at no cost to a student. Establishes the curricular materials fund for the purpose of providing state reimbursements for costs incurred by public schools to provide curricular material to students at no cost. Provides that the department of education shall administer the fund. Appropriates money in the fund. Makes corresponding changes.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Earline Rogers

SB344	PREKINDERGARTEN PILOT PROGRAM. (ROGERS E) Expands the prekindergarten pilot program to include 13 counties that were selected as finalist counties by the office of the secretary of family and social services but were not selected as one of the five initial pilot counties. Provides that the pilot program in the finalist counties must be funded from the state lottery administrative trust fund. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Earline Rogers

SB345	RESIDENT TUITION RATE. (ROGERS E) Provides that an individual, except for certain nonimmigrants, who: (1) attends a high school in Indiana for at least three years; (2) registers as an entering student at or is currently enrolled in a state educational institution not earlier than the fall semester (or its equivalent, as determined by the state educational institution) of the 2015-2016 academic year; and (3) graduated from a high school located in Indiana or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Indiana; is eligible for the resident tuition rate. Requires such an individual to verify that the individual meets the criteria to receive the resident tuition rate.
	*Current Status:*	1/29/2015 - Senate Appropriations, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Kenley added as second author 1/8/2015 - Referred to Senate Appropriations

SB350	EAST CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD. (RANDOLPH L) Reduces the number of members of the governing body of the School City of East Chicago from nine to five, beginning January 1, 2017. Provides that if a vacancy occurs on the governing body before January 1, 2017, the vacancy shall not be filled unless the vacancy reduces the number of members to fewer than five. Provides that three members of the governing body are elected at large by the voters of the city, one member is appointed by the city executive, and one member is appointed by the city legislative body. Repeals and provides for the expiration of statutes consistent with the new structure of the governing body.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Senate Elections
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Lonnie Randolph

SB356	WORK ETHIC CERTIFICATION AND GRANTS. (GROOMS R) Establishes the work ethic certification program under which a student who develops skills necessary for success in higher education or employment receives a work ethic certificate upon graduation. Provides a grant to school corporations in the amount of $300 for each student who received a work ethic certificate in the school year ending in the previous fiscal year.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Houchin added as second author
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Steele removed as second author 1/20/2015 - Senator Steele added as second author

SB369	POLITICAL SUBDIVISION INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. (MILLER P) Requires local governments and school corporations to provide information for posting on the Indiana transparency Internet web site as follows: (1) Expenditures categorized by personal services, other operating expenses or total operating expenses, and debt service, including lease payments, related to debt. (2) A listing of fund balances, specifically identifying balances in funds that are being used for accumulation of money for future capital needs .Requires the department of local government finance (department) after July 31, 2016, to publish an annual financial and operational summary of each political subdivision on the Indiana transparency Internet web site. Requires a political subdivision that has a public web site to publish a link to the Indiana transparency web site. Requires the department to determine the summary's form, content, and publishing dates. Provides that the department of education determines the educational performance information to be included in the summary published by a school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed 1/26/2015 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

SB400	BILITERACY. (LANANE T) Establishes the state seal of biliteracy to recognize public school graduates who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. Requires the state board of education to adopt rules and to direct the department of education to administer the state seal of biliteracy program. Provides that a school corporation or charter school is not required to participate in the state seal of biliteracy program.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - First Reading 1/12/2015 - Authored By Timothy Lanane

SB443	VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (KRUSE D) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide schoolwide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Provides that an election for a student to have legal settlement in the school corporation whose attendance area contains the residence of the student's mother or father shall be made on a yearly basis and applies throughout the school year unless the student's mother or father no longer resides within the attendance area of the school corporation. Provides that a school corporation that has adopted a policy not to accept student transfers after June 30, 2013, is not prohibited from enrolling a transfer student from an accredited nonpublic school or charter school located within the school corporation's boundaries if the school corporation has entered into an agreement to allow students of the accredited nonpublic school or charter school to transfer to the school within the school corporation. Requires the department of education (department) to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Removes a requirement that the department report instances of noncompliance of local salary scale requirements to the state board of education. Requires the department to allow the use of computer or digital response technology to complete a statewide, national, or international student assessment. Provides that a school corporation or school may allow a student to use computer or digital response technology to complete an assessment. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspending or expelling a student for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Creates a school discipline data workgroup to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Senator Schneider added as coauthor 1/15/2015 - Schneider added as coauthor

SB452	STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION GOVERNANCE. (HOLDMAN T) Makes changes to the composition of the state board of education (state board). Provides that the state board may hire staff and administrative support. Provides that the state board shall meet once every six months and at the call of the chairperson. Provides that the state board shall elect a chairperson annually from the members of the state board. Requires the chairperson to provide notice of a state board meeting and make the agenda for the state board meeting available on the state board's and the department of education's Internet web sites at least 14 days before the meeting. Provides that a member of the state board may submit a request to the chairperson to amend the agenda at least seven days before the state board meeting. Provides that if the chairperson does not respond or refuses to amend the state board's agenda, the agenda may be amended to include the agenda item requested at the current or subsequent state board meeting with a majority vote of the state board. Provides that the state board may not take official action on an agenda item added at the current meeting until the next subsequent state board meeting.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Referred to Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure
	*Recent Status:*	1/13/2015 - First Reading 1/13/2015 - Authored By Holdman, Travis

SB453	STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. (HOLDMAN T) Makes changes to the composition of the state board of education (state board). Provides that the state board may hire staff and administrative support. Provides that the state board shall meet once every six months and at the call of the chairperson. Provides that the state board shall elect a chairperson annually from the members of the state board. Requires the chairperson to provide notice of a state board meeting and make the agenda for the state board meeting available on the state board's and the department of education's Internet web sites at least 14 days before the meeting. Provides that a member of the state board may submit a request to the chairperson to amend the agenda at least seven days before the state board meeting. Provides that if the chairperson does not respond or refuses to amend the state board's agenda, the agenda may be amended to include the agenda item requested at the current or subsequent state board meeting with a majority vote of the state board. Provides that the state board may not take official action on an agenda item added at the current meeting until the next subsequent state board meeting.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Referred to Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure
	*Recent Status:*	1/13/2015 - First Reading 1/13/2015 - Authored By Holdman, Travis

SB500	EDUCATION DEREGULATION. (MILLER P) Makes comprehensive revisions to the Indiana Code relating to all aspects of the administration of schools and school corporations and the education of students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Repeals various obsolete provisions and provisions that limit local control of schools. Establishes a school reporting oversight committee to review all reporting requirements by the state for schools. Authorizes public agencies to charge a search and detection fee of $20 per hour for certain public information requests. Expands the list of items for which a state agency may not impose a fee under the public records law, and further regulates the public records fees that state agencies may charge. Repeals a provision allowing the commissioner of the department of labor to adopt rules to require certain employers to make and maintain records of and make reports on work related deaths, injuries, and illnesses. Removes a requirement that a local government authority awarding a public work contract to a bidder other than the lowest bidder must state in the authority's minutes or memoranda the factors used to determine the bidder awarded the contract. Provides that school accreditation is optional for schools. Makes conforming and technical amendments.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development 1/14/2015 - First Reading

SB562	TEACHING METHODS. (RAATZ J) Requires the state board of education, the department of education, governing bodies of school corporations, superintendents, principals, and other public school administrators to: (1) endeavor to create an environment within public schools that encourages students to explore questions, learn about evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to different conclusions and theories concerning subjects that have produced differing conclusions and theories on some topics; and (2) allow a teacher to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of conclusions and theories being presented in a course being taught by the teacher.
	*Current Status:*	1/20/2015 - Referred to Committee on Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - First Reading 1/20/2015 - Authored By Jeff Raatz

SB566	EDUCATION. (MISHLER R) Replaces ISTEP program testing with BEST testing program for school years beginning after June 30, 2016, and eliminates end of Core 40 course assessments after the 2014-2015 school year. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations other than the Indianapolis Public Schools. Extends the school performance grant program through the 2016-2017 school year, and makes changes in the calculation and use of the grant for stipends to teachers. Permits teachers to receive a supplemental amount for completion of certain master's degrees. Requires the department of education to establish a program to permit an individual with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and a minor in education to obtain a teaching license. Requires school employers to bring collective bargaining agreements into conformity with law, provides for oversight by the education employment relations board to bring these agreements into compliance, permits certificated employees to be paid based on adopted salary ranges rather than salary schedules, and makes other changes in collective bargaining.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Eckerty added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Coauthored by Senator Charbonneau 1/20/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development

SCHOOL SAFETY BILLS

SB35	SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES. (BOOTS P) Provides that a city, town, or county may establish a speed limit of not less than 20 miles per hour on a street or highway upon which a school is located if the street or highway is under the jurisdiction of the city, town, or county. (Current law provides that the speed limit may not be less than 30 miles per hour outside an urban district.) Removes outdated language.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Senate Homeland Security & Transportation
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Philip Boots

SB119	ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS. (KRUSE D) Provides that a school corporation may participate in an interscholastic athletic association or association event only if the association meets certain requirements regarding annual physical examinations or certifications from a physician.
	*Current Status:*	1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development 1/6/2015 - First Reading

SB299	SCHOOL DISCIPLINE. (TAYLOR G) Requires charter schools and nonpublic schools that accept choice scholarships to adopt written discipline rules in the same manner as school corporations. Removes a good faith effort exception to the requirement of giving general publicity to the written discipline rules.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Greg Taylor

SB339	SCHOOL BUS MONITORS. (ROGERS E) Provides that the visual acuity required of a school bus driver is not required of a school bus monitor.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed 1/26/2015 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

SB398	SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM VIOLATIONS. (BASSLER E) Provides that a law enforcement officer may arrest a person when the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed a misdemeanor by recklessly passing a school bus when the arm signal device of the bus is in the extended position. (Current law requires the officer to have probable cause to believe that the person is committing or attempting to commit the misdemeanor in the officer's presence.)
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Ford added as second author
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Senate Homeland Security & Transportation 1/12/2015 - First Reading

SB403	STUDENT ATHLETES AND HEAD INJURIES. (LANANE T) Provides that the law concerning concussions and head injuries applies to student athletes in grades 5 through 12 who participate in interscholastic or intramural sports. (Current law provides that the law concerning concussions and head injuries applies to high school student athletes.) Requires all coaches and assistant coaches of student athletes and coaches and assistant coaches who coach football to individuals who are less than 20 years of age to complete certain certified coaching education courses. (Current law requires coaches and assistant coaches who coach football to individuals who are less than 20 years of age to complete certain certified coaching education courses.)
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Health and Provider Services, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Health and Provider Services 1/12/2015 - First Reading

SB443	VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (KRUSE D) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide schoolwide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Provides that an election for a student to have legal settlement in the school corporation whose attendance area contains the residence of the student's mother or father shall be made on a yearly basis and applies throughout the school year unless the student's mother or father no longer resides within the attendance area of the school corporation. Provides that a school corporation that has adopted a policy not to accept student transfers after June 30, 2013, is not prohibited from enrolling a transfer student from an accredited nonpublic school or charter school located within the school corporation's boundaries if the school corporation has entered into an agreement to allow students of the accredited nonpublic school or charter school to transfer to the school within the school corporation. Requires the department of education (department) to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Removes a requirement that the department report instances of noncompliance of local salary scale requirements to the state board of education. Requires the department to allow the use of computer or digital response technology to complete a statewide, national, or international student assessment. Provides that a school corporation or school may allow a student to use computer or digital response technology to complete an assessment. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspending or expelling a student for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Creates a school discipline data workgroup to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Senator Schneider added as coauthor 1/15/2015 - Schneider added as coauthor

STANDARDS AND/OR CURRICULUM ISSUES

HB1099	EDUCATION STANDARDS. (NISLY C) Removes the requirement that Indiana's educational standards must comply with federal standards necessary to receive a flexibility waiver under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Curt Nisly

HB1486	EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Requires the state board of education (state board) to adopt voluntary prekindergarten standards that align with the kindergarten through grade 12 standards. Provides that records of the state board shall be kept by the state board. (Current law provides that the records are kept by the state superintendent of public instruction.) Provides that the state board oversees the operation of turnaround academies. Provides that the state board shall appoint an executive director of the state board. Provides that the state board may employ third party experts and consultants to assist the state board in carrying out the state board's functions. Provides that the state board is considered a state educational authority within the meaning of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Provides that the department of education (department) shall provide any data necessary to conduct an audit or evaluation of any federal or state supported program principally engaged in the provision of education. Provides that the state board may adopt rules relating to performance qualified schools. Provides that a model teacher evaluation plan developed by the department must be approved by the state board. Authorizes the state board to establish academic standards in subject areas determined appropriate by the state board. Provides that the update of academic standards must be revised on a schedule determined by the state board. Makes changes to who may be appointed to the academic standards committee. Provides that the state board may obtain assistance from the legislative services agency with the approval of the legislative council or another entity to ensure the validity and reliability of the performance category or designation placements calculated by the department. Makes various changes to the administration of the ISTEP program. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the assessment of school performance. Requires the state board to require IREAD-3 as a statewide assessment to assess reading skills in grade 3.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/14/2015 - First Reading

HB1635	DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PILOT PROGRAM. (BEHNING R) Establishes the dual language immersion pilot program to provide grants to school corporations and charter schools that establish dual language immersion programs in certain foreign languages. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Mayfield

HB1639	VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the state board of education (state board) to establish a statewide student record repository of public school student achievement records to provide: (1) access to relevant student information to parents and school corporations; (2) for the transfer of student information between school corporations; and (3) a student data backup for school corporations. Prohibits an agency from releasing, selling, or otherwise transferring student information to any entity unless all identifying information concerning students has been redacted or the general assembly has enacted legislation expressly authorizing the release, sale, or transfer. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine). Provides that the state board shall adopt rules to establish a procedure to require the department of education (department) to investigate irregularities in the test results of the ISTEP program or a successor statewide assessment. Requires the department to investigate assessment results if the number of irregularities meets a threshold established by the state board. Provides that, before July 1, 2016, the state board shall develop a survey to be used by a school corporation to allow parents and grade appropriate students to evaluate certificated employees. Provides that beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, a school corporation must offer parents and applicable students the opportunity to complete the survey, which shall be provided to a certificated employee by the certificated employee's evaluator when the certificated employee receives an evaluation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Authored By Robert Behning

SB62	SCHOOL FITNESS AND WELLNESS CLASSES. (KRUSE D) Urges the legislative council to assign to the education study committee the task of studying whether a school corporation may enter into a contract with a person to provide classes to high school students concerning personal wellness and fitness with students enrolled in the class either receiving a grade of "pass" or "fail".
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Representative Cox added first Senate sponsor
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Third reading passed; 1/22/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

SB63	USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE TAKING OF STUDENT ASSESSMENTS. (KRUSE D) Requires the department of education to allow the use of computer or digital response technology to complete a statewide, national, or international student assessment. Provides that a school corporation or school may allow a student to use computer or digital response technology to complete an assessment.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Committee on Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Dennis Kruse

SB130	SCHOOL CURRICULUM. (LEISING J) Requires each school corporation and accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum. Requires each school corporation and accredited nonpublic school to include reading in its curriculum.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Senator Messmer added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - Senator Smith added as third author 1/7/2015 - Senator Delph added as second author

SB169	READING ASSESSMENTS. (HOUCHIN E) Requires, after June 30, 2016, that the state superintendent of public instruction's reading deficiency remediation plan (IREAD) provide a reading evaluation for students by grade 2. Provides that a student who requires remediation after the student is evaluated in grade 2 must receive remedial action and be reevaluated in grade 3. Provides that if the student remains below standard after receiving remedial action and being reevaluated in grade 3, the student, after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used, or both, must be retained as a last resort. Asks the legislative council to assign to the education study committee issues concerning the timing of the IREAD test and remediation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted, reassigned to committee on Appropriations
	*Recent Status:*	1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 1/20/2015 - Senator Kruse added as coauthor

SB259	STEM EDUCATION. (GROOMS R) Establishes the dual credit STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) associate degree pilot program.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Houchin added as second author 1/26/2015 - Senator Steele removed as second author

SB263	PHYSICAL EDUCATION. (KRUSE D) Requires each public school and charter school to conduct at least 30 minutes of physical education each day for students, which may be done as part of a class activity. Lengthens the minimum school day by 30 minutes. Requires each school corporation and charter school to: (1) report certain student health data for students in grades 1, 6, and 12 to the state department of health beginning in the 2015-2016 school year; and (2) inform the students' parents of the collection of the data and the right to obtain the data. Requires the state department of health to: (1) develop materials for the school corporation to distribute concerning body mass index; and (2) publish an annual report summarizing the data collected by the school corporations. Requires the state department of health and the state board of education to adopt joint rules to implement these provisions.
	*Current Status:*	1/7/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/7/2015 - First Reading 1/7/2015 - Authored By Kruse, Dennis

SB267	BILITERACY. (KRUSE D) Establishes the state seal of biliteracy to recognize public school graduates who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. Requires the state board of education to adopt rules and to direct the department of education to administer the state seal of biliteracy program. Provides that a school corporation or charter school is not required to participate in the state seal of biliteracy program.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Stoops added as coauthor 1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

SB269	CIVICS TEST AS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. (KRUSE D) Provides that, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, an individual must obtain a satisfactory score on the United States Civics Test, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to each applicant for United States citizenship, before graduating high school or obtaining a high school equivalency certificate.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Senator Charbonneau added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Charbonneau added as coauthor 1/7/2015 - Senator Smith added as second author

SB331	STUDENT TESTING. (BOOTS P) Provides that after June 30, 2016, a public school may not require a student to take a qualified standardized test. Removes the requirement that a school is required to administer a college and career readiness exam to identify students who may require remedial work at a postsecondary educational institution or workforce training program. Requires the state board of education to provide a report to the general assembly that includes recommendations as to how to reduce the number of standardized assessments administered to students.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Philip Boots

SB443	VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (KRUSE D) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide schoolwide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Provides that an election for a student to have legal settlement in the school corporation whose attendance area contains the residence of the student's mother or father shall be made on a yearly basis and applies throughout the school year unless the student's mother or father no longer resides within the attendance area of the school corporation. Provides that a school corporation that has adopted a policy not to accept student transfers after June 30, 2013, is not prohibited from enrolling a transfer student from an accredited nonpublic school or charter school located within the school corporation's boundaries if the school corporation has entered into an agreement to allow students of the accredited nonpublic school or charter school to transfer to the school within the school corporation. Requires the department of education (department) to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Removes a requirement that the department report instances of noncompliance of local salary scale requirements to the state board of education. Requires the department to allow the use of computer or digital response technology to complete a statewide, national, or international student assessment. Provides that a school corporation or school may allow a student to use computer or digital response technology to complete an assessment. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspending or expelling a student for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Creates a school discipline data workgroup to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Senator Schneider added as coauthor 1/15/2015 - Schneider added as coauthor

SB562	TEACHING METHODS. (RAATZ J) Requires the state board of education, the department of education, governing bodies of school corporations, superintendents, principals, and other public school administrators to: (1) endeavor to create an environment within public schools that encourages students to explore questions, learn about evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to different conclusions and theories concerning subjects that have produced differing conclusions and theories on some topics; and (2) allow a teacher to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of conclusions and theories being presented in a course being taught by the teacher.
	*Current Status:*	1/20/2015 - Referred to Committee on Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - First Reading 1/20/2015 - Authored By Jeff Raatz

SB566	EDUCATION. (MISHLER R) Replaces ISTEP program testing with BEST testing program for school years beginning after June 30, 2016, and eliminates end of Core 40 course assessments after the 2014-2015 school year. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations other than the Indianapolis Public Schools. Extends the school performance grant program through the 2016-2017 school year, and makes changes in the calculation and use of the grant for stipends to teachers. Permits teachers to receive a supplemental amount for completion of certain master's degrees. Requires the department of education to establish a program to permit an individual with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and a minor in education to obtain a teaching license. Requires school employers to bring collective bargaining agreements into conformity with law, provides for oversight by the education employment relations board to bring these agreements into compliance, permits certificated employees to be paid based on adopted salary ranges rather than salary schedules, and makes other changes in collective bargaining.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Eckerty added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Coauthored by Senator Charbonneau 1/20/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development

SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF

SB277	SCHOOL COUNSELORS. (MERRITT J) Requires a school corporation to employ at least one school counselor at each elementary school, not including private or charter schools, maintained by the school corporation.
	*Current Status:*	1/28/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing); Time & Location: 3:30 PM, Senate Chamber
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Kruse added as third author 1/21/2015 - Senate Education and Career Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing); Time & Location: 1:30 PM, Senate Chamber

SB339	SCHOOL BUS MONITORS. (ROGERS E) Provides that the visual acuity required of a school bus driver is not required of a school bus monitor.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Second reading ordered engrossed 1/26/2015 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

TEACHING AND LICENSING BILLS

HB1005	TAX CREDIT FOR TEACHERS' CLASSROOM SUPPLIES. (SMALTZ B) Provides that an individual employed as a teacher is entitled to a credit against the individual's adjusted gross income tax liability for amounts expended on classroom supplies up to a maximum of $200 per taxable year.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Coauthored by Representatives Ubelhor and Carbaugh 1/15/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1108	DYSLEXIA. (BURTON W) Defines "dyslexia" for purposes of teacher licensing. Requires an individual who seeks to receive an initial practitioner's license as an elementary school teacher to demonstrate proficiency in the recognition of specific learning disabilities related to reading, including dyslexia. Provides that if an education service center offers inservice training or other teacher training programs, the education service center may offer courses for teachers on dyslexia screening and appropriate interventions.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Representative Schaibley and Cook added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/26/2015 - Representative DeLaney added as coauthor 1/26/2015 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted

HB1332	MENTOR TEACHERS; NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION. (TRUITT R) Provides for the development of a mentoring program for beginning teachers, teachers who receive a designation of "improvement necessary" or "ineffective", teachers who request the assignment of a mentor, and teachers who are seeking national board certification. Requires the department of education to provide training through educational service centers for teachers who meet certain requirements and wish to become mentors. Provides that a teacher who serves as a mentor receives an annual salary supplement of $500 for each teacher who is receiving mentoring services. Establishes the goal that by 2035, there will be at least one teacher who is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (national board) in every public school. Establishes the teachers' national board certification incentive fund for purposes of: (1) reimbursing 50% of the national board certification fee; and (2) funding stipends for national board certified teachers who serve as mentors to other teachers. Provides for an annual salary supplement of $1,000 for a national board certified teacher.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/13/2015 - First Reading 1/13/2015 - Authored By Truitt, Randy

HB1483	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Provides that a transition to teaching program participant may obtain a license to teach in prekindergarten if the participant meets certain requirements. Provides that a school corporation may include and account for proceeds from rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, in separate funds apart from the general fund. Provides that money received from the proceeds of rental income, or earnings generated by other corporation activities, may be disbursed without appropriation. Provides that if the school is closed on a noninstructional day on which the teacher is required to work or teacher professional development training or education is provided and the work day or the training or education is rescheduled, each teacher shall work on that rescheduled day without additional compensation. Provides that a district wide or school wide committee that has teacher members who are members of the exclusive representative and teacher members who are not members of the exclusive representative may address discussion topics subject to bargaining. Provides that a provision relating to local salary scale increases applies upon the expiration of a contract or part of a contract in existence on July 1, 2011. Provides for the reimbursement of a mediator in a collective bargaining proceeding. Provides that the Indiana education employment relations board (IEERB) may appoint a financial consultant to assist a factfinder during mediation. Provides for reimbursement of IEERB by the parties involved in mediation. Provides that the complaint for an unfair practice must be filed within three years after the alleged unfair practice or within three years after the date on which the school employer or school employee reasonably should have known of the alleged unfair practice. Provides that a person who has served as a mediator in a dispute between a school employer and an exclusive representative may not serve as a factfinder in a dispute arising in the same school corporation within a period of two years except by the mutual consent of the parties. Changes the date in which a factfinding hearing in an impasse procedure must occur. Provides that the factfinding process in an impasse procedure may not exceed 30 days. Urges the legislative council to assign to an existing study committee the topic of determining appropriate and feasible incentives to encourage highly effective teachers to teach in poor performing schools.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1486	EDUCATION ISSUES. (THOMPSON J) Requires the state board of education (state board) to adopt voluntary prekindergarten standards that align with the kindergarten through grade 12 standards. Provides that records of the state board shall be kept by the state board. (Current law provides that the records are kept by the state superintendent of public instruction.) Provides that the state board oversees the operation of turnaround academies. Provides that the state board shall appoint an executive director of the state board. Provides that the state board may employ third party experts and consultants to assist the state board in carrying out the state board's functions. Provides that the state board is considered a state educational authority within the meaning of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Provides that the department of education (department) shall provide any data necessary to conduct an audit or evaluation of any federal or state supported program principally engaged in the provision of education. Provides that the state board may adopt rules relating to performance qualified schools. Provides that a model teacher evaluation plan developed by the department must be approved by the state board. Authorizes the state board to establish academic standards in subject areas determined appropriate by the state board. Provides that the update of academic standards must be revised on a schedule determined by the state board. Makes changes to who may be appointed to the academic standards committee. Provides that the state board may obtain assistance from the legislative services agency with the approval of the legislative council or another entity to ensure the validity and reliability of the performance category or designation placements calculated by the department. Makes various changes to the administration of the ISTEP program. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the assessment of school performance. Requires the state board to require IREAD-3 as a statewide assessment to assess reading skills in grade 3.
	*Current Status:*	1/27/2015 - House Education, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
	*Recent Status:*	1/14/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/14/2015 - First Reading

HB1635	DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PILOT PROGRAM. (BEHNING R) Establishes the dual language immersion pilot program to provide grants to school corporations and charter schools that establish dual language immersion programs in certain foreign languages. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - First Reading 1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Mayfield

HB1640	VARIOUS EDUCATION ISSUES. (BEHNING R) Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide school wide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Requires the department of education to develop guidelines for use by accredited teacher education institutions in preparing teachers to successfully apply classroom behavioral management strategies, including culturally responsive methods, to provide alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Provides that before a child may be referred to the juvenile justice system for truancy, a plan to improve attendance must be developed and implemented for the child. Provides that a student may not be suspended or expelled solely for infractions related to school attendance. Provides that a school staff member may take disciplinary action instead of suspension or expulsion, especially for misconduct that is not related to school safety. Requires the state board of education to study various issues related to the collection and analysis of school discipline data.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Coauthored by Representative Porter
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Referred to House Education 1/22/2015 - First Reading

SB62	SCHOOL FITNESS AND WELLNESS CLASSES. (KRUSE D) Urges the legislative council to assign to the education study committee the task of studying whether a school corporation may enter into a contract with a person to provide classes to high school students concerning personal wellness and fitness with students enrolled in the class either receiving a grade of "pass" or "fail".
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Representative Cox added first Senate sponsor
	*Recent Status:*	1/22/2015 - Third reading passed; 1/22/2015 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

SB170	TEACHER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT. (HOUCHIN E) Requires, before April 1, 2016, the department of education to develop, and the state board of education to approve, a method for measuring student growth throughout the school year to be used to evaluate a certificated employee as part of the school corporation's staff performance evaluation plan. Requires a school corporation's staff evaluation plan to be based upon, in part, student growth during the school year.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Erin Houchin

SB263	PHYSICAL EDUCATION. (KRUSE D) Requires each public school and charter school to conduct at least 30 minutes of physical education each day for students, which may be done as part of a class activity. Lengthens the minimum school day by 30 minutes. Requires each school corporation and charter school to: (1) report certain student health data for students in grades 1, 6, and 12 to the state department of health beginning in the 2015-2016 school year; and (2) inform the students' parents of the collection of the data and the right to obtain the data. Requires the state department of health to: (1) develop materials for the school corporation to distribute concerning body mass index; and (2) publish an annual report summarizing the data collected by the school corporations. Requires the state department of health and the state board of education to adopt joint rules to implement these provisions.
	*Current Status:*	1/7/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/7/2015 - First Reading 1/7/2015 - Authored By Kruse, Dennis

SB304	DYSLEXIA. (BRAY R) Defines "dyslexia" for purposes of teacher licensing. Requires an individual who seeks to receive an initial practitioner's license as an elementary school teacher to demonstrate proficiency in the recognition of specific learning disabilities related to reading, including dyslexia.
	*Current Status:*	1/26/2015 - Senator Stoops added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Senator Miller, Pete added as second author 1/15/2015 - Sen. Miller, Pete added as second author

SB566	EDUCATION. (MISHLER R) Replaces ISTEP program testing with BEST testing program for school years beginning after June 30, 2016, and eliminates end of Core 40 course assessments after the 2014-2015 school year. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations other than the Indianapolis Public Schools. Extends the school performance grant program through the 2016-2017 school year, and makes changes in the calculation and use of the grant for stipends to teachers. Permits teachers to receive a supplemental amount for completion of certain master's degrees. Requires the department of education to establish a program to permit an individual with a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and a minor in education to obtain a teaching license. Requires school employers to bring collective bargaining agreements into conformity with law, provides for oversight by the education employment relations board to bring these agreements into compliance, permits certificated employees to be paid based on adopted salary ranges rather than salary schedules, and makes other changes in collective bargaining.
	*Current Status:*	1/22/2015 - Senator Eckerty added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/20/2015 - Coauthored by Senator Charbonneau 1/20/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development

PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER BILLS

SB129	ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE VOUCHER. (BRODEN J) Provides that a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program: (1) is eligible to participate in the program if the child's family income does not exceed 200% of the federal income poverty level; and (2) may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds 250% of the federal income poverty level. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Family & Children Services
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By John Broden

SB184	CHOICE SCHOLARSHIPS. (TALLIAN K) Limits the number of choice scholarships that may be awarded per year to 20,000. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/6/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/6/2015 - First Reading 1/6/2015 - Authored By Karen Tallian

PRE KINDERGARTEN

HB1129	PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION. (ERRINGTON S) Expands the prekindergarten pilot program to include 13 counties that were selected as finalist counties by the office of the secretary of family and social services but were not selected as one of the five initial pilot counties. Provides that the pilot program in finalist counties is to be funded from the state lottery administrative trust fund. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/13/2015 - Mahan added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - Coauthored by Representatives Bauer and Saunders 1/8/2015 - Referred to House Education

HB1194	SPECIAL EDUCATION. (CLERE E) Provides that one of the members of the state board of education must be a special education teacher or director. Requires a school corporation to establish a curriculum of vocational, technical, and employment skills courses that certain students with disabilities may complete as alternative requirements to receive a general diploma. Provides that, beginning with the annual case review when a student who is a child with a disability is in grade 8, the student's individualized education program must include the type of diploma the student will seek and the courses necessary to obtain the diploma. Provides that, beginning with grade 9, the student's teacher of record must communicate with the student's parent at least one time each semester to review the student's progress toward the diploma.
	*Current Status:*	1/15/2015 - Representative Schaibley added as coauthor
	*Recent Status:*	1/15/2015 - Schaibley added as coauthor 1/12/2015 - Coauthored by Representatives Burton and Austin

SB344	PREKINDERGARTEN PILOT PROGRAM. (ROGERS E) Expands the prekindergarten pilot program to include 13 counties that were selected as finalist counties by the office of the secretary of family and social services but were not selected as one of the five initial pilot counties. Provides that the pilot program in the finalist counties must be funded from the state lottery administrative trust fund. Makes an appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/8/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/8/2015 - First Reading 1/8/2015 - Authored By Earline Rogers

SB381	VISUALLY IMPAIRED PRESCHOOL SERVICES. (STOOPS M) Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to enter into an agreement to establish a partnership with Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Incorporated to provide vision assessments and early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities who are in need of vision services. Makes an annual appropriation.
	*Current Status:*	1/12/2015 - Referred to Education and Career Development
	*Recent Status:*	1/12/2015 - First Reading 1/12/2015 - Authored By Mark Stoops

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For HB 1003: Express your opposition to voucher expansion AND share your views with your representative

For HB 1003: Express your opposition to voucher expansion AND share your views with your representative

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