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A new academic year is still weeks away, but Indiana educators are already working to implement a slate of new laws passed during the 2025 legislative session — including changes to classroom instruction, attendance policies and teacher pay.
More than two dozen K-12 education laws are set to take effect July 1, along with the state’s next two-year budget.
Although overall state spending was trimmed, K-12 schools avoided deeper cuts, securing a 2% increase over the biennium — equal to about $640 million in new funding. And in the budget’s second year, Indiana will drop remaining income limits and move to a universal taxpayer-funded “school choice” voucher system.
It’s still unclear, though, how budget shortfalls could affect public school funding. Senate Enrolled Act 1, for example, altered property tax rules with the goal of giving two-thirds of Hoosier homeowners relief — potentially at the expense of local governments and school corporations. The law also limits school referenda to general election ballots only.
Federal spending cuts, expiring COVID-19 aid and national changes to education policy have added to schools’ budget uncertainties, too.
To help local leaders navigate state-specific policy changes in the meantime, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released its annual legislative guidance last week.
Secretary of Education Katie Jenner described the document — currently about 20 pages — as a “living” resource that will continue to evolve: “It will still require a bit more time and collaboration with stakeholders to finalize,” she emphasized.
The annual guidance is meant to answer common questions and serve as a “one-stop shop” for schools, Jenner said. IDOE plans to update it throughout the summer, ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
A new academic year is still weeks away, but Indiana educators are already working to implement a slate of new laws passed during the 2025 legislative session — including changes to classroom instruction, attendance policies and teacher pay.
More than two dozen K-12 education laws are set to take effect July 1, along with the state’s next two-year budget.
It’s still unclear, though, how budget shortfalls could affect public school funding. Senate Enrolled Act 1, for example, altered property tax rules with the goal of giving two-thirds of Hoosier homeowners relief — potentially at the expense of local governments and school corporations. The law also limits school referenda to general election ballots only.
Federal spending cuts, expiring COVID-19 aid and national changes to education policy have added to schools’ budget uncertainties, too.
To help local leaders navigate state-specific policy changes in the meantime, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released its annual legislative guidance last week.
Secretary of Education Katie Jenner described the document — currently about 20 pages — as a “living” resource that will continue to evolve: “It will still require a bit more time and collaboration with stakeholders to finalize,” she emphasized.
The annual guidance is meant to answer common questions and serve as a “one-stop shop” for schools, Jenner said. IDOE plans to update it throughout the summer, ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
More focus on math, plus other curriculum changes
Following a high priority literacy overall during the 2024 session, House Enrolled Act 1499 will give students at least two chances to retake the state-mandated IREAD exam over the summer to avoid retention.
Current statute requires that — if after three attempts — a third grade student is unable to pass the IREAD assessment, they must be held back a year in school.
The new policy also exempts some English language learners from reading retention, depending on the school’s student population.
But Indiana lawmakers mostly shifted focus this year to math performance improvement.
Similar to the state’s literacy requirements, House Enrolled Act 1634 lays out a new statewide effort to boost foundational math skills by requiring schools to annually screen students in kindergarten through second grade for math readiness, beginning in 2026-27.
IDOE officials said the goal is earlier identification of students at risk of falling behind in key numeracy and computation skills, while also ensuring students are prepared for high school coursework and postsecondary success.
The agency expects to provide a complete list of approved mathematics screeners by Spring 2026, along with guidance on both the frequency and timing of assessments, according to IDOE.
Students identified through the screener will receive support through a multi-tiered system of interventions spanning grades K–8. Per the state’s preliminary guidance, schools will need to implement evidence-based instructional strategies, regularly monitor progress, and ensure staff are trained to respond to a range of skill levels.
The law also requires automatic enrollment in advanced math courses for eligible middle school students. Starting in 2026–27, students who score “above proficient” on the ILEARN math assessment and earn a C or better in their previous math course must be placed in a more rigorous class the following year. Schools will be expected to identify qualifying students based on 2025–26 data and update academic planning accordingly, according to IDOE.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, Indiana schools will additionally face stricter rules when teaching about human sexuality and sexually transmitted infections.
Although school boards already have the authority to review and approve curricular materials, Senate Enrolled Act 442 clarifies that boards must formally approve all human sexuality instructional materials used in grades four through 12 and to publicly post a list of those materials on the district’s website.
The new law also mandates that parents receive written notice at least 14 days before instruction begins. That notice must include the instructional dates, a summary of content and information on how to opt their child out.
The introduction of sex education usually starts in the fourth grade, according to state guidelines. But Indiana does not require the course, and schools that do teach sex education are expected to focus on abstinence.
IDOE advised that participating schools must “incorporate in the instruction that (the) best way to avoid sexually transmitted infections and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage.” It also has to include “age appropriate instruction concerning the importance of consent to sexual activity between two individuals.”
Students attending in-person classes are required to view a fetal ultrasound video “that is medically accurate and age appropriate” and includes:
- a high definition ultrasound video, at least three minutes in duration, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; and
- a high quality computer generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and each stage of fetal development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy from fertilization to birth.
If a school provides online human sexuality instruction, students will still need to view a virtual presentation on human growth and development that meets the same requirements, according to IDOE.
State officials said the changes are meant to increase transparency and parental involvement while still allowing local control over curriculum details.
Teacher pay, licensing and workforce flexibility
Indiana lawmakers approved a hard-lobbied teacher pay bump in Senate Enrolled Act 146, which raises the minimum teacher salary to $45,000 starting in the 2025–26 school year and increases the share of state tuition support that districts must spend on teacher compensation from 62% to 65%.
If a school corporation does not meet the minimum salary or compensation thresholds, it must submit a justification form to the state and is required to adopt a compliance plan, according to IDOE guidance. Those submissions will be publicly posted on the agency’s website.
The General Assembly additionally revamped the state’s Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) program to focus on performance and impact in high-need areas. Updated state law specifically outlines three stipends that a teacher could be eligible for, beginning this year:
- a “recognition” stipend of $3,500 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes.
- an “exemplary” stipend of $5,000 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes and serve as a mentor for their colleagues or teach in a high-need area.
- an “exemplary plus” stipend of $7,500 for teachers who demonstrate high performance in improving student outcomes, serve as a mentor for their colleagues, and teach in a high-need area.
Schools can nominate up to 20% of their educators for TAG stipends. IDOE officials said more guidance — like a detailed scoring rubric, eligibility rules and deadlines — will be released by Sept. 1. Applications will then open in the fall, with funds distributed in early 2026.
Other workforce-related changes are impending in Senate Enrolled Act 255, which establishes new alternative licensure pathways for middle school and STEM teachers, and in Senate Enrolled Act 366, which drops the master’s degree requirement for superintendents, making it a preferred — but not mandatory — qualification.
Cracking down on absenteeism
Following years of concern over rising chronic absenteeism across the state — a trend that spiked during the pandemic and has been slow to recover — new efforts are on the way to ensure K-12 students show up to class.
Senate Enrolled Act 482 takes a more aggressive stance on student attendance by requiring IDOE to issue clearer statewide attendance definitions, guidance for monitoring student participation, and a new list of best practices for local districts to put in practice.
Under the law, “chronic absenteeism” is now clearly defined as missing at least 10% of instructional days in a school year for any reason, regardless of whether it is excused.
Absences now fall into three official categories:
- Excused absences include illness with a note, funerals, religious observances, college visits, court appearances, and other reasons permitted by district policy. Schools must document these absences with appropriate verification.
- Unexcused absences include skipping school, family vacations not approved in advance, or failing to provide documentation for otherwise excusable reasons. These absences count toward truancy thresholds and may trigger interventions.
- Exempt absences are those required or protected by state or federal law and do not count against a student’s attendance record. These include jury duty, election service, military obligations, foster care court proceedings, or serving as a legislative page. House Enrolled Act 1660, passed during the 2025 session, further excuses student absences for participation in educational events organized by Future Farmers of America or 4-H.
IDOE recommends tracking student attendance monthly, with intervention triggers at five total absences, excused or unexcused. Suggested supports include attendance contracts, staff mentoring, family outreach, and referrals for addressing barriers like transportation or health care.
The new law allows local prosecuting attorneys to hold “intervention meetings” with parents to help improve a student’s attendance before any legal action is taken.
Until July 1, 2026, K-8 students also can’t be expelled “solely because the student is chronically absent or habitually truant.” After that date, however, students could be removed from school once again if they miss too many days of class.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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