The start of the new school year is just around the corner! Some schools begin classes at the end of July. By mid-August most schools will be in full swing!
The Indiana legislature passed several new laws affecting K-12 education. Many of the laws became effective on July 1st. Read on below for a short summary of some of the laws to stay informed!
Please reach out to Ability Allies with any questions. We are happy to help!
Literacy: Schools must provide reading instruction aligned with the science of reading to students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, Indiana schools are required to administer the IREAD assessment to second grade students to obtain an earlier measure of reading proficiency. Early administration should allow for additional intervention and support for students who do not pass. Third grade students who do not pass IREAD will be retained. There are exemptions in the law for some students with special education needs, English language learners, students who have previously been retained, and students who pass the math portion of ILEARN.
Assessments: ILEARN will be redesigned for grades 3-8. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, ILEARN will be administered as a “through-year assessment” rather than a one-time summative assessment in the Spring. There will be three “checkpoint” assessments during the school year in both ELA and mathematics, and a shortened summative assessment in the Spring.
New High School Diplomas: Indiana is redesigning High School Diplomas. The diploma requirements will be finalized by December 2024 and will be effective beginning with the graduating class of 2029.
Education Scholarship Account (ESA): Parents of eligible students may spend scholarship money on pre-approved educational programs, therapies, services, tuition and fees at private schools, and other expenses related to the student’s education. Eligibility has been expanded to include siblings of a student with a disability. The ESA application deadline is September 1, 2024.
For additional information from the Indiana Department of Education, check out the IDOE's Guidance on new laws July 2024.