Perspectives on the Key PK-12 Education Legislation of 2013
Author: Indiana University, Center for Evaluation and Education Policy
Date: 2013-00-00
Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Subjects: State Legislation,Educational Legislation,Elementary Secondary Education,Preschool Education,School Safety,Attendance,School Policy,Juvenile Gangs,Educational Finance,Local Government,Budgets,Scholarships,Remedial Instruction,Public Schools,School Buildings,School Administration,Administrators,Bullying,Educational Environment,State Programs

The 2013 session of the 118th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die (with no appointed date for resumption) on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The legislature considered over 2,200 bills during the session, many of which addressed education policy and school governance, or were child-related legislation. This report is a summary of 12 key PK-12 education bills that were enacted into law by the legislature. Many other bills were passed by the legislature on a number of public policy topics including PK-12 education, higher education, and child welfare and advocacy. The acts of legislation included in this report were selected by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University for their significance and potential long-term impact on the PK-12 education delivery system in Indiana. A unique feature of this legislative summary is the inclusion of commentary and perspectives from statewide education and advocacy associations on the new laws. Representatives from many associations were invited to share their views concerning the pros and cons of the new laws because of their knowledge and expertise of topics covered by the legislation. These education leaders were generally invited to comment on each new law highlighted in this publication. However, of those who responded, many were selective in which laws they chose to share remarks. The summary also includes the perspectives of Dr. Russ Skiba, Equity Project Director, and Terry Spradlin, Director for Education Policy at CEEP. The following education bills contain summaries and commentaries in this report: (1) School Resource Officers and School Safety [Senate Bill 001 (PL172)], (commentary by Todd Bess, Frank Bush, and Russ Skiba); (2) Absenteeism; School Improvement Plans [Senate Bill 338 (PL246)], (commentary by Frank Bush and Terry Spradlin); (3) School Policies on Gang Activities [Senate Bill 352 (PL190)], (commentary by Todd Bess and Frank Bush); (4) Family Friendly School Designation [Senate Bill 422 (PL127)], (commentary by Todd Bess and Gail Zeheralis); (5) Local Government Finance [Senate Bill 517 (PL257)], (commentary by Denny Costerison); (6) State Biennial Budget [House Bill 1001 (PL205)], (commentary by Frank Bush, Denny Costerison, Sally Sloan, Vic Smith, and Gail Zeheralis); (7) Nonpublic School Scholarships [House Bill 1003 (PL211)], (commentary by Todd Bess, Frank Bush, Paul DiPerna, Vic Smith, Sally Sloan, and Gail Zeheralis); (8) Education (Remediation) [House Bill 1005 (PL268)], (commentary by Todd Bess and Frank Bush); (9) Sale of Public School Building [House Bill 1012 (PL17)], (commentary by Frank Bush and Gail Zeheralis); (10) School Administrators [House Bill 1357 (PL167)], (commentary by Frank Bush and Sally Sloan); (11) Antibullying [House Bill 1423 (PL285)], (commentary by Todd Bess, Frank Bush, and Russ Skiba); and (12) Various Education Matters [House Bill 1427 (PL286)], (commentary by Todd Bess, Frank Bush, Sally Sloan, and Vic Smith).