Several new laws have gone into effect and will impact all schools in Indiana. Families should familiarize themselves with these changes and understand the possible impact these laws could have on students and families in schools this year.
Habitual Absence - IC 20-33-2-25
Schools are now required to report a student who is habitually absent from school to an intake officer of the juvenile court or the Indiana Department of Child Services. Any absence that results in a student not attending school at least 180 days in a school year must either be excused in accordance with the district attendance policy or be consider one of ten days a student can be absent from school before being consider habitually absent.
District Interpretation: Students must attend school daily. Any student absence must be documented in the school office. Absences that do not qualify as excused will count toward the 10 day limit. Unexused absences beyond the 10th day must be referred to local authorities.
Wireless Devices in Schools -IC 20-26-5-40.7
Possessing and/or using a wireless electronic device which is portable and is capable
of providing voice, messaging, or other data communications between two or more
persons and includes cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, digital
cameras, and/or gaming devices in a manner which constitutes an interference with a
school purpose or educational function, an invasion of privacy, or an act of academic
dishonesty, or is profane, indecent, or obscene is prohibited.
This rule is not violated when the student has a) been given permission from a
teacher to use a wireless device for educational purposes during instructional time; b)
to use a wireless device in an emergency or to manage the student’s health care; c)
to use a wireless device as part of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504
Plan.
In addition to being disciplined, students who use a wireless electronic device in a
manner which violates this rule may have the device confiscated by school administration. Such a device will be returned to the parent.
District Interpretation: Wireless electronic devices, including cellphones, are not to be in classrooms unless approved for an educational purpose. Exceptions include emergencies, for health care management, or part of an IEP or 504 plan. Students violating this rule will have the device confiscated by the school administrator and returned to the parent.
IRead: 2nd grade Mandatory Summer School - Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1 (2024)
Requires schools to offer summer school for some students in grades two and three depending on their IREAD-3 performance. SEA 1 applies to students in grade two who score "At Risk" and students in grade three who score "Did Not Pass."
District Interpretation: Students who have not passed the IREAD-3 assessment in second grade and where their scores have been identified as "At Risk" will be required to attend summer school remediation. These same students will be provided multiple IREAD-3 test opportunities before the end of third grade.
IRead-3: 3rd grade Retention - Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1 (2024)
Prohibits third grade students from being promoted to fourth grade if they do not pass IREAD-3 after multiple test opportunities.
District Interpretation: Students will take the IREAD-3 assessment in second grade. Those who fail will have additional opportunities to test. Interventions including mandatory summer school will be provided to assist students. Retention in third grade will be required where a student hasn't passed IREAD-3 by the end of third grade and does not meet good cause exemption.
