Statehouse Express: Season 5, Episode 6
Welcome to the Statehouse Express! I’m Chris Brunson, Associate Executive Director at INPEA, and this is the 6th stop on our 2024 running of the Statehouse Express. With just days remaining in this legislative session, there is still a lot going on. The train is moving very quickly at this stage with the goal of concluding all official business by the end of this week.
Having crossed the aisle and picked up some new amendments, several bills headed to Conference Committees for resolution of differences between the House and Senate versions. This was the case for several education bills that we have been tracking. Because of the short session, Conference Committee meetings are all happening this week. House Bill 1001 expanding ESA eligibility to siblings, 1243 requiring a high school computer science course, as well as 1304 and 1380 all went to Conference Committees.
The Conference Committee on SB 8 agreed on aggressive timelines for statewide online access to the Indiana College Core courses and for schools to respond. All HSs that are state-accredited or that participate in Choice programs would be required this fall to either offer the Indiana College Core, to submit a one- or two-year implementation plan, OR to submit a feasibility report if a school is not planning to offer the Indiana College Core by the 26-27 school year. This bill also includes some assurances for students that these credits will be honored at all state colleges and universities.
SB 282 addresses truancy and chronic absenteeism in K-6. We are hopeful that the Conference Committee will keep non-public schools out of this bill as it was amended in the House, recognizing our different staffing models and our relative success with attendance rates. Absenteeism has been highlighted as a critical issue by the IDOE and the SBOE, and we expect the legislature to address it at the high school level in the 2025 session.
Despite broad concern over the tightening of 3rd grade retention requirements, Senate Bill 1, now Senate Enrolled Act 1, is heading to the governor to be signed into law. This bill is very prescriptive regarding early identification and intervention for students behind grade level in reading and requires that reading instruction is aligned with the Science of Reading in K-8.
While anything can happen at the end of the legislative session, I can promise you two things. One: INPEA will stay engaged until the very end. And two: the smooth jazz radio DJ voice of John Elcesser will be back to host the final episode of the 2024 Statehouse Express.
Be well. Be encouraged. And God bless.