Bill > SB0358

This bill makes several changes to Indiana's education system, focusing on curriculum evaluation, reading proficiency, and education scholarship accounts (ESAs). The Department of Education is now required to evaluate and publish a list of high-quality curricular materials for English/language arts by July 1, 2027, and collaborate with teachers in this process. The bill emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate content in curriculum selection, particularly for schools where fewer than 70% of students pass reading skills evaluations. Schools with low reading scores must now use curriculum that is both based on the science of reading and age-appropriate, and may be required to participate in the Indiana literacy cadre, a professional development initiative. The bill also modifies the choice scholarship program's definition of "eligible school" to include schools with provisional accreditation. For education scholarship accounts (ESAs), the bill introduces new restrictions, such as preventing parents who teach only their own children from claiming reimbursement for tuition and fees, and establishing penalties for ESA participating entities that violate program rules, including potential civil penalties up to $5,000 and fund repayment requirements.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/358/details