IndianaSB 358First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)SenateWALLET

Various education matters.

Sponsored By: Jeff Raatz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) evaluate, approve, and publish a list of high quality curricular materials for use in English/language arts; and (2) collaborate with teachers in evaluating and approving the English/language arts curricular materials. Provides that the evaluation process for certain curricular materials must include the age appropriateness of the content. Specifies that the curriculum used by a school in which fewer than 70% of students achieved a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills must be age appropriate. Requires, subject to available funding, certain schools to participate in the Indiana literacy cadre. Amends the definition of "eligible school" for purposes of the choice scholarship program. Provides that a parent who: (1) is an education scholarship account (ESA) participating entity; and (2) teaches a course or program only to an eligible student who is the parent's child and does not teach a course or program to any other eligible student; may not submit a claim for reimbursement of an ESA qualified expense of tuition and fees to teach the parent's child. Establishes penalties for certain violations by an ESA participating entity.

education and career developmentappropriationsthe houseeducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Education savings providers face repayment penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana gains new enforcement tools against education savings account (ESA) providers whose participation status is revoked. After revocation, the treasurer can close the provider’s account and require repayment of improperly received funds. The attorney general can ask a court to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000. These consequences apply to participating providers, including affected parent providers, not households generally.

Kindergarten parents get reading retention notices

Before October 1 each school year, Indiana must identify incoming kindergarten students enrolled in Indiana schools and notify their parents or guardians. The notice explains that students who do not pass IRead3 may have to repeat third grade.

More accreditation options for scholarship schools

Schools can qualify for Indiana’s choice scholarship program through a national or regional accreditor recognized by the State Board. Both full and provisional accreditation qualify, alongside the existing state accreditation route. Schools must still meet the program’s other school eligibility requirements. This adds an eligibility route for schools, but does not guarantee families a scholarship or change award amounts.

More reading support at struggling schools

Schools where fewer than 70% of students pass the state-approved reading evaluation must use state-approved, age-appropriate reading materials. Those materials must follow the science of reading, an evidence-based approach to reading instruction. Beginning July 1, 2025, these schools must also join the Indiana Literacy Cadre when funding is available. The cadre provides collaborative teacher training based on the science of reading.

State reviews schools’ learning materials yearly

Indiana must publish approved English, language arts, science, technology, engineering, and math materials by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 afterward. Teachers help review English and language arts materials. Reviews check state standards, age suitability, learning activities, and assessments that identify students’ needs. Publishers must provide exact statewide prices and agree to share assessment data with the state. An annual public report explains the reviews, materials evaluated, approvals, and publisher responses.

Parents face limits on teaching reimbursements

Beginning July 1, 2025, parents registered as education savings account (ESA) providers face a tuition and fee reimbursement ban. They cannot submit reimbursement claims for a course or program they teach only to their own eligible child. This specific ban does not apply when the parent also teaches another eligible student.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeff Raatz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Becky Cash

    Republican • House

  • Linda Rogers

    Republican • Senate

  • Robert Behning

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 224 • No: 50

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 37 • No: 12

House vote • 4/24/2025

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 58 • No: 28

House vote • 4/3/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 90 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 39 • No: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 199

    5/6/2025Senate
  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/6/2025Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/29/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the Speaker

    4/25/2025House
  5. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 555: yeas 58, nays 28

    4/24/2025House
  6. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/24/2025Senate
  7. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 507: yeas 37, nays 12

    4/24/2025Senate
  8. Senator Hunley removed as conferee

    4/23/2025Senate
  9. Representative Ireland added as conferee

    4/23/2025House
  10. Representative Pfaff removed as conferee

    4/23/2025House
  11. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  12. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    4/23/2025House
  13. Senator Rogers added as conferee

    4/23/2025Senate
  14. Senator Rogers removed as advisor

    4/23/2025Senate
  15. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  16. Senate conferees appointed: Raatz and Hunley

    4/21/2025Senate
  17. Senate advisors appointed: Ford J.D. and Rogers

    4/21/2025Senate
  18. Concurrence withdrawn

    4/17/2025Senate
  19. Senate dissented from House amendments

    4/17/2025Senate
  20. Motion to dissent filed

    4/17/2025Senate
  21. House advisors appointed: Cash, Smith H and Smith V

    4/17/2025House
  22. House conferees appointed: Behning and Pfaff

    4/17/2025House
  23. Motion to concur filed

    4/9/2025Senate
  24. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    4/4/2025House
  25. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 357: yeas 90, nays 0

    4/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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