Ind. Code ch. 20-30-5

Ind. Code ch. 20-30-5
in effect

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-0.5 Display of United States flag; Pledge of Allegiance

Sec. 0.5. (a) The United States flag shall be displayed in each classroom of every school in a school corporation. (b) The governing body of each school corporation shall provide a daily opportunity for students of the school corporation to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom or on school grounds. A student is exempt from participation in the Pledge of Allegiance and may not be required to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance if: (1) the student chooses to not participate; or (2) the student's parent chooses to have the student not participate. As added by P.L.78-2005, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-1 Constitutions

Sec. 1. (a) In each of grades 6 through 12, every public and nonpublic school shall provide instruction on the constitutions of: (1) Indiana; and (2) the United States. (b) In public elementary schools, instruction on the constitutions shall be included as a part of American history. In public high schools, instruction on the constitutions shall be included as a part of civics or another course, as the state board may require by rules. Failure of any public school teacher or principal to comply with this requirement constitutes misconduct in office under IC 20-28-5-7. (c) Each nonpublic elementary school and high school shall provide instruction under this section as required by the state board. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-2 Constitutions; interdisciplinary course; competency based requirements

Sec. 2. (a) Each public and nonpublic high school shall provide a required course that is: (1) not less than one (1) year of school work; and (2) in the: (A) historical; (B) political; (C) civic; (D) sociological; (E) economical; and (F) philosophical; aspects of the constitutions of Indiana and the United States. (b) The state board shall: (1) prescribe the course described in this section and the course's appropriate outlines; and (2) adopt the necessary curricular materials for uniform instruction. (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) and IC 20-32-4-13, a high school student may not receive an Indiana diploma unless the student has successfully completed the interdisciplinary course described in this section. (d) If the state board establishes competency based requirements as part of a diploma established under IC 20-19-2-21 that cover the course content described in subsection (a), a student may satisfy the requirement under subsection (c) by obtaining the diploma. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.286-2013, SEC.93; P.L.251-2017, SEC.9; P.L.192-2018, SEC.16; P.L.150-2024, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-3 Protected writings, documents, and records of American history or heritage

Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to the following writings, documents, and records: (1) The Constitution of the United States. (2) The national motto. (3) The national anthem. (4) The Pledge of Allegiance. (5) The Constitution of the State of Indiana. (6) The Declaration of Independence. (7) The Mayflower Compact. (8) The Federalist Papers. (9) "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. (10) The writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the founding fathers and presidents of the United States. (11) United States Supreme Court decisions. (12) Executive orders of the presidents of the United States. (13) Frederick Douglas' Speech at Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852, entitled "What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?". (14) Appeal by David Walker. (15) Chief Seattle's letter to the United States government in 1852 in response to the United States government's inquiry regarding the purchase of tribal lands. (b) A school corporation may allow a principal or teacher in the school corporation to read or post in a school building or classroom or at a school event any excerpt or part of a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a). (c) A school corporation may not permit the content based censorship of American history or heritage based on religious references in a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a). (d) A library, a media center, or an equivalent facility that a school corporation maintains for student use must contain in the facility's permanent collection at least one (1) copy of each writing or document listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(9). (e) A school corporation: (1) shall allow a student to include a reference to a writing, document, or record listed in subsection (a) in a report or other work product; and (2) may not punish the student in any way, including a reduction in grade, for using the reference. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-2.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-4 System of government; American history; competency based requirements

Sec. 4. (a) Each public school and nonpublic school shall provide within the two (2) weeks preceding a general election for all students in grades 6 through 12 five (5) full recitation periods of class discussion concerning: (1) the system of government in Indiana and in the United States; (2) methods of voting; (3) party structures; (4) election laws; and (5) the responsibilities of citizen participation in government and in elections. (b) Except as provided in subsection (d) and IC 20-32-4-13, a student may not receive an Indiana diploma unless the student has completed a two (2) semester course in American history. (c) If a public school superintendent violates this section, the secretary of education shall receive and record reports of the violations. The general assembly may examine these reports. (d) If the state board establishes competency based requirements as part of a diploma established under IC 20-19-2-21 that cover the content in the American history course required under subsection (b), a student may satisfy the requirement under subsection (b) by obtaining the diploma. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-3.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.251-2017, SEC.10; P.L.192-2018, SEC.17; P.L.43-2021, SEC.97; P.L.150-2024, SEC.30.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-4.5 Moment of silence

Sec. 4.5. (a) In order that: (1) the right of each student to the free exercise of religion is guaranteed within the schools; and (2) the freedom of each student is subject to the least possible coercion from the state either to engage in or to refrain from religious observation on school grounds; the governing body of each school corporation shall establish the daily observance of a moment of silence in each classroom or on school grounds. (b) During the moment of silence required by subsection (a), the teacher responsible for a classroom shall ensure that all students remain seated or standing and silent and make no distracting display so that each student may, in the exercise of the student's individual choice, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity that does not interfere with, distract, or impede another student in the exercise of the student's individual choice. As added by P.L.78-2005, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-5 Morals instruction

Sec. 5. (a) Each public school teacher and nonpublic school teacher who is employed to instruct in the regular courses of grades 1 through 12 shall present the teacher's instruction with special emphasis on: (1) honesty; (2) morality; (3) courtesy; (4) obedience to law; (5) respect for the national flag and the Constitution of the State of Indiana and the Constitution of the United States; (6) respect for parents and the home; (7) the dignity and necessity of honest labor; and (8) other lessons of a steadying influence that tend to promote and develop an upright and desirable citizenry. (b) The secretary of education shall prepare outlines or materials for the instruction described in subsection (a) and incorporate the instruction in the regular courses of grades 1 through 12. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-4.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.43-2021, SEC.98.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-5.5 Bullying prevention; student instruction

Sec. 5.5. (a) Each public school shall include in the public school's curriculum age appropriate, research based instruction as provided under IC 10-21-1-14(e) focusing on bullying prevention for all students in grades 1 through 12. (b) The department, in consultation with school safety specialists and school counselors, shall prepare outlines or materials for the instruction described in subsection (a). As added by P.L.285-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.150-2023, SEC.24; P.L.214-2025, SEC.139; P.L.74-2026, SEC.111.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-5.7 Instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse

Sec. 5.7. (a) Each public school, including a charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall include in the school's curriculum age appropriate: (1) research and evidence based; or (2) research or evidence based; instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in kindergarten through grade 12. (b) The department, in consultation with school safety specialists, school counselors, school social workers, or school psychologists, shall identify outlines or materials for the instruction described in subsection (a). (c) Any outlines and materials identified under subsection (b) must be demonstrated to be effective and promising. As added by P.L.115-2017, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.55; P.L.76-2020, SEC.1; P.L.32-2021, SEC.55; P.L.214-2025, SEC.140; P.L.74-2026, SEC.112.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-6 Good citizenship instruction

Sec. 6. (a) This section applies only to public schools, including charter schools. (b) As used in this section, "good citizenship instruction" means integrating instruction into the current curriculum that stresses the nature and importance of the following: (1) Being honest and truthful. (2) Respecting authority. (3) Respecting the property of others. (4) Always doing the student's personal best. (5) Not stealing. (6) Possessing the skills (including methods of conflict resolution) necessary to live peaceably in society and not resorting to violence to settle disputes. (7) Taking personal responsibility for obligations to family and community. (8) Taking personal responsibility for earning a livelihood. (9) Treating others the way the student would want to be treated. (10) Respecting the national flag, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Indiana. (11) Respecting the student's parents and home. (12) Respecting the student's self. (13) Respecting the rights of others to have their own views and religious beliefs. (14) These research based actions that data indicates result in economic prosperity: (A) obtaining at least a high school diploma and acquiring additional training in preparation for the workforce; (B) securing full-time employment; and (C) waiting until marriage to begin having children. (c) The department shall: (1) identify; and (2) make available; models of conflict resolution instruction to school corporations and charter schools. The instruction may consist of a teacher education program that applies the techniques to the students in the classroom to assist school corporations and charter schools in complying with this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-4.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.170; P.L.108-2026, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7 Curriculum; naturalization examination report; posting pass rate

Sec. 7. (a) Each school corporation shall include in the school corporation's curriculum the following studies: (1) Language arts, including: (A) English; (B) grammar; (C) composition; (D) speech; and (E) second languages. (2) Mathematics. (3) Social studies and citizenship, including the: (A) constitutions; (B) governmental systems; and (C) histories; of Indiana and the United States, including an enhanced study of the Holocaust in each high school United States history course. As part of the United States government credit awarded for the general, Core 40, Core 40 with academic honors, and Core 40 with technical honors designation, each high school shall administer the naturalization examination provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (4) Sciences, including, after June 30, 2021, computer science. (5) Fine arts, including music and art. (6) Health education, physical fitness, safety, and the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances on the human body. (7) Additional studies selected by each governing body, subject to revision by the state board. (b) Not later than November 1 each year, the department shall report to the general assembly in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 the following: (1) The number of students who took the naturalization examination described in subsection (a)(3). (2) The number of students who passed the naturalization examination described in subsection (a)(3) by a score of not less than sixty percent (60%) on their first attempt. (3) The pass rate of the naturalization examination regarding the students who passed as described in subdivision (2). (c) Not more than thirty (30) days after the department reports to the general assembly the information under subsection (b), the department shall post the pass rate under subsection (b)(3) on the department's website. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.86-2007, SEC.1; P.L.231-2017, SEC.1; P.L.132-2018, SEC.2; P.L.97-2019, SEC.1; P.L.92-2020, SEC.56; P.L.86-2020, SEC.6; P.L.32-2021, SEC.56; P.L.214-2025, SEC.141.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7.3 Civics education course required

Sec. 7.3. Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the 2023-2024 school year, each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall require each student of the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school to successfully complete in grade 6, 7, or 8 one (1) semester of a civics education course. As added by P.L.39-2021, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7.4 Reporting on civic literacy and engagement

Sec. 7.4. (a) Not later than December 1, 2026, the secretary of education shall do the following: (1) Identify key metrics and activities to be used to measure civic literacy and engagement in kindergarten through grade 12 and postsecondary education. (2) Submit the metrics identified under subdivision (1) to the general assembly in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. (b) This section expires July 1, 2027. As added by P.L.120-2026, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7.5 Physical activities

Sec. 7.5. (a) This section does not apply to a student who: (1) is in half-day kindergarten; or (2) has a medical condition that precludes participation in the daily physical activity provided under this section. (b) Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, the governing body of each school corporation shall provide daily physical activity for students in elementary school. The physical activity may include the use of recess. On a day when there is inclement weather or unplanned circumstances have shortened the school day, the school corporation may provide physical activity alternatives or elect not to provide physical activity. As added by P.L.54-2006, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.286-2013, SEC.94.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-8 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-6.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2011, SEC.15. Repealed by P.L.214-2025, SEC.142.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-9 Hygiene and sanitary science; excused from instruction

Sec. 9. (a) The principles of hygiene and sanitary science must be taught in each public elementary school. This instruction must explain the ways that dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the sanitary methods for disease prevention and restriction. (b) Any student who objects in writing, or any student less than eighteen (18) years of age whose parent or guardian objects in writing, to health and hygiene courses because the courses conflict with the student's religious teachings is entitled to be excused from receiving medical instruction or instruction in hygiene or sanitary science without penalties concerning grades or graduation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-7.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.43-2021, SEC.99; P.L.56-2023, SEC.179; P.L.214-2025, SEC.143.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-10 Diseases

Sec. 10. The governing body shall provide in each public school for the illustrative teaching of: (1) the spread of disease by: (A) rats; (B) flies; and (C) mosquitoes; and the effects of disease; and (2) disease prevention by proper food selection and consumption. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-8.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.214-2025, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-11 Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, prescription drugs, and controlled substances instruction

Sec. 11. (a) The governing body of each school corporation shall provide at least two (2) times in kindergarten through grade 8 and one (1) time in grades 9 through 12 instruction concerning the effects that: (1) alcoholic beverages; (2) tobacco, including tobacco alternatives and nicotine products; (3) prescription drugs; and (4) controlled substances; have on the human body and society at large. (b) The state board shall make available to all school corporations a list of appropriate available instructional material on the matters described in subsection (a). (c) The department shall develop curriculum guides to assist teachers assigned to teach the material described in subsection (a). (d) The state board shall approve drug education curricula for instruction required under subsection (a). [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-9.1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.74-2026, SEC.113.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-12 Human immunodeficiency virus

Sec. 12. (a) Each school corporation shall: (1) include in the school corporation's curriculum instruction concerning the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and (2) integrate this effort to the extent possible with instruction on other serious communicable diseases. (b) Literature that is distributed to school children and young adults under this section must include information required by IC 20-34-3-17. (c) The department shall do the following: (1) In consultation with the Indiana department of health, develop HIV educational materials. (2) Make the materials described in subdivision (1) available to school corporations. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-10.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.227; P.L.112-2020, SEC.55; P.L.56-2023, SEC.180; P.L.74-2026, SEC.114.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-13 Instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections

Sec. 13. (a) Throughout instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections, a state accredited school shall: (1) require a teacher to teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school age children; (2) include in the instruction that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and other associated health problems; (3) include 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; (4) include age appropriate instruction concerning the importance of consent to sexual activity between two (2) individuals; and (5) except as provided in subsection (b), provide an in-person presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy that is medically accurate and age appropriate and includes the following: (A) A high definition ultrasound video, at least three (3) minutes in duration, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development. (B) 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. (b) A state accredited school that provides the instruction described in subsection (a) in a course in which one hundred percent (100%) of the course is virtual shall provide a virtual presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy that meets the requirements in subsection (a)(5). (c) A school maintained by a school corporation may not use curricular materials to provide instruction on human sexuality that have not been approved by the governing body of a school corporation under IC 20-26-12-24. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-11.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.57; P.L.204-2025, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-14 Career awareness and career development education; Indiana career explorer program and standards; use of alternative Internet based system and standards

Sec. 14. (a) As used in this section, "Indiana career explorer program and standards" refers to the: (1) software or Internet based system approved by the department of workforce development; and (2) standards established by the department of workforce development that are aligned to interdisciplinary employability skills standards prescribed in subsection (c); that provides students with career and college planning resources. (b) To: (1) educate students on the importance of their future career choices; (2) prepare students for the realities inherent in the work environment; and (3) instill in students work values that will enable them to succeed in their respective careers; each school within a school corporation shall include in the school's curriculum for all students in grades 1 through 12 instruction concerning employment matters and work values described in subsection (c). (c) Each school within a school corporation shall include interdisciplinary employability skills standards established by the department, in conjunction with the department of workforce development, and approved by the state board in the school's curriculum. (d) Each school shall: (1) integrate within the curriculum instruction that is; or (2) conduct activities or special events periodically that are; designed to foster overall career awareness and career development as described in subsection (b). (e) The department shall develop career awareness and career development models as described in subsection (f) to assist schools in complying with this section. (f) The models described in this subsection must be developed in accordance with the following: (1) For grades 1 through 5, career awareness models to introduce students to work values and basic employment concepts. (2) For grades 6 through 8, initial career information models that focus on career choices as they relate to student interest and skills. (3) For grades 9 through 12, career exploration models that offer students insight into future employment options and career preparation models that provide job or further education counseling, including the following: (A) Initial job counseling, including the use of job service officers to provide school based assessment, information, and guidance on employment options and the rights of students as employees. (B) Workplace orientation visits. (C) On-the-job experience exercises. (g) The department, with assistance from the department of labor and the department of workforce development, shall: (1) develop and make available teacher guides; and (2) conduct seminars or other teacher education activities; to assist teachers in providing the instruction described in this section. (h) The department shall, with assistance from the department of workforce development, design and implement innovative career preparation demonstration projects for students in at least grade 9. (i) Each school in a school corporation and each charter school: (1) shall include in the school's curriculum state developed career standards for all students in grade 8 that include instruction in and use of either: (A) the Indiana career explorer program and standards; or (B) an alternative Internet based system and standards that provide students with career and college planning resources that have been approved by the state board under subsection (j); and (2) except as provided in subdivision (1), may include in the school's curriculum state developed career standards for all students in any grade level that include instruction in and use of the program and standards or system and standards described in subdivision (1)(A) or (1)(B). (j) A school corporation or charter school may submit a request to the state board to approve an alternative Internet based system and standards that provide students with career and college planning resources. The state board, in consultation with the department and the department of workforce development, may approve an alternative system and standards if the state board determines that the alternative system: (1) has an aptitude assessment tool; (2) contains educational course track information; (3) has a tool for the preparation and development of the graduation plan prescribed in IC 20-30-4, including a parent sign in component; (4) allows access to education and career demand information using data prepared by the department of workforce development; and (5) is aligned to interdisciplinary employability skills standards prescribed in subsection (c). (k) Beginning July 1, 2023, the department of workforce development shall, in consultation with the department and commission for higher education, implement an Indiana career explorer program that includes software or an Internet based system that does the following: (1) Provides access to education and career demand information using data prepared by the department of workforce development. (2) Provides educational and career assessments or tools that: (A) must include an aptitude and career assessment; (B) are aligned to interdisciplinary employability skills standards prescribed in subsection (c); and (C) may include: (i) educational course track information; and (ii) a tool for the preparation and development of the graduation plan prescribed in IC 20-30-4, including a parent sign in component. (3) Is interoperable with the comprehensive career navigation and coaching system under IC 21-18-19. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-12.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.171; P.L.230-2017, SEC.9; P.L.57-2018, SEC.1; P.L.76-2020, SEC.2; P.L.202-2023, SEC.18.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-15 Breast cancer and testicular cancer instruction

Sec. 15. (a) Each school corporation shall include in the school corporation's high school health education curriculum instruction regarding breast cancer and testicular cancer as adopted by the state board, including the significance of early detection of these diseases through: (1) monthly self-examinations; and (2) regularly scheduled mammographies in the case of breast cancer. (b) The department shall, in consultation with the Indiana department of health, develop breast cancer and testicular cancer educational materials to be made available to school corporations to assist teachers assigned to teach the material described in this section. (c) The: (1) department shall develop guidelines; and (2) state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2; concerning the instruction required under this section to assist teachers assigned to teach the material described in this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-13.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.181.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-16 Human organ and blood donor program instruction

Sec. 16. (a) Each school corporation shall include in the school corporation's high school health education curriculum instruction regarding the human organ donor program and blood donor program as adopted by the state board, including: (1) the purpose of the human organ donor program and blood donor program; (2) the statewide and nationwide need for human organ and blood donations; and (3) the procedure for participation in the human organ donor program and blood donor program. (b) The department shall, in consultation with the Indiana department of health or any other appropriate organization, develop human organ donor program and blood donor program educational materials to be made available to school corporations to assist teachers assigned to teach the material described in this section. (c) The: (1) department shall develop guidelines; and (2) state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2; concerning the instruction required under this section to assist teachers assigned to teach the material described in this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-14.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.182.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-17 Access to materials relating to instruction on human sexuality, personal analysis, evaluation, or survey of students; consent and procedure for participation

Sec. 17. (a) Each school corporation shall make available for inspection by the parent of a student any instructional materials, including teachers' manuals, curricular materials, films or other video materials, tapes, and other materials, used in connection with: (1) a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey described in subsection (c); or (2) instruction on human sexuality. (b) The governing body of a school corporation shall publish a list of any instructional materials, including teachers' manuals, curricular materials, films or other video materials, tapes, and other materials, used in connection with instruction on human sexuality on the school's website. (c) A student shall not be required to participate in a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey that is not directly related to academic instruction and that reveals or attempts to affect the student's attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs, or feelings concerning: (1) political affiliations; (2) religious beliefs or practices; (3) mental or psychological conditions that may embarrass the student or the student's family; (4) sexual behavior or attitudes; (5) illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (6) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom the student has a close family relationship; (7) legally recognized privileged or confidential relationships, including a relationship with a lawyer, minister, or physician; or (8) income (except as required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under a program); without the prior consent of the student if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor or the prior written consent of the student's parent if the student is an unemancipated minor. A parental consent form for a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey described in this subsection shall accurately reflect the contents and nature of the personal analysis, evaluation, or survey. (d) Before a school may provide a student with instruction on human sexuality, the school must provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, with a written request for consent of instruction. A consent form provided to a parent of a student or a student under this subsection must include the following information: (1) An accurate summary of the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided to the student. (2) Whether the instruction on human sexuality will be taught to male and female students in a unified setting or to male and female students in separate settings. (3) Whether the instruction on human sexuality will be provided by a female or male instructor. (4) A statement that a parent of a student or an adult or emancipated minor student has the right to review and inspect all materials related to the instruction on human sexuality. The written consent form may be sent in an electronic format. If the written consent form is sent in an electronic format, the form must include a link to the list of materials published under subsection (b). The parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, may return the consent form indicating that the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student consents to the instruction or declines instruction. If a student does not participate in the instruction on human sexuality, the school shall provide the student with alternative academic instruction during the same time frame that the instruction on human sexuality is provided. (e) If the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, does not respond to the written request provided by the school under subsection (d) within twenty-one (21) calendar days after receiving the request under subsection (d), the school shall provide the parent of the student, or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, a written notice requesting that the parent of the student, or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, indicate, in a manner prescribed by the school, whether the parent of the student or the adult or emancipated student consents to the instruction or declines instruction. A notice provided to a parent of a student or a student under this subsection must include the following information: (1) An accurate summary of the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided to the student. (2) Whether the instruction on human sexuality will be taught to male and female students in a unified setting or to male and female students in separate settings. (3) Whether the instruction on human sexuality will be provided by a female or male instructor. (4) A statement that a parent of a student or an adult or emancipated minor student has the right to review and inspect all materials related to the instruction on human sexuality. The notice may be sent in an electronic format. If the written consent form is sent in an electronic format, the form must include a link to the list of materials published under subsection (b). If the school does not receive a response within ten (10) days after the notice, the student will receive the instruction on human sexuality unless the parent or the adult or emancipated student subsequently opts out of the instruction for the student. (f) The department and the governing body shall give parents and students notice of their rights under this section. (g) The governing body shall enforce this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-4-15.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.286-2013, SEC.95; P.L.154-2018, SEC.1; P.L.204-2025, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-18 Meningitis information

Sec. 18. (a) The chief administrative officer of each: (1) public school (including a charter school as defined in IC 20-24-1-4); and (2) nonpublic school; shall ensure that information concerning meningococcal disease and its vaccines is provided to students and parents or guardians of students at the beginning of each school year. (b) The information provided under subsection (a) must include information concerning the: (1) causes; (2) symptoms; and (3) spread; of meningococcal disease and the places where parents and guardians of students may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children. (c) The chief administrative officers and the department shall, in consultation with the Indiana department of health or any other appropriate entity, develop materials to be made available to schools to assist schools in providing the information described in this section. (d) The department shall enforce this section. As added by P.L.76-2005, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.183.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-19 Personal financial responsibility instruction; requirements of course

Sec. 19. (a) Each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall include in its curriculum for students enrolled in grade 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 instruction concerning personal financial responsibility. (b) A school corporation, a charter school, and a state accredited nonpublic school must meet the requirements of subsection (a) by providing instruction on personal financial responsibility as a separate subject that addresses the following content areas: (1) Basic principles of: (A) money management, such as: (i) spending and saving; (ii) types of bank accounts; (iii) opening and managing a bank account; and (iv) assessing the quality of a depository institution's services; (B) debt management; (C) receiving an inheritance and related implications; (D) savings, retirement, and investment accounts; (E) federal and state income tax returns; and (F) local tax assessments. (2) Personal insurance policies. (3) Loan applications. (4) Interest rate computations. (5) Credit and credit scores. (6) Simple contracts. (c) The state board shall adopt a curriculum that ensures personal financial responsibility is taught: (1) in accordance with the requirements of subsection (b); and (2) as a separate subject; as determined by the state board. (d) This subsection applies to an individual who is a student in a cohort that is expected to graduate in 2028 or thereafter from a school described in subsection (a). Beginning in 2028, an individual to whom this subsection applies must successfully complete instruction on personal financial responsibility, as described in subsection (b), as a separate subject to be eligible to graduate from high school. (e) The state board may allow a personal financial responsibility course described in this section to satisfy one (1) or more diploma course or competency requirements. As added by P.L.154-2009, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.58; P.L.168-2023, SEC.1; P.L.150-2024, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-20 Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator

Sec. 20. (a) As used in this section, "charter school" does not include a virtual charter school, as defined in IC 20-24-1-10. (b) As used in this section, "psychomotor skills" means skills using hands on practice to support cognitive learning. (c) Except as provided in subsection (f), each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall include in the charter school's, school corporation's, or state accredited nonpublic school's high school health education curriculum instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator for its students. The instruction must incorporate the psychomotor skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use an automated external defibrillator and must include either of the following: (1) An instructional program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. (2) An instructional program that is nationally recognized and is based on the most current national evidence based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. (d) A school corporation, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school may offer the instruction required in subsection (c) or may arrange for the instruction to be provided by available community based providers. The instruction is not required to be provided by a teacher. If instruction is provided by a teacher, the teacher is not required to be a certified trainer of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (e) This section shall not be construed to require a student to become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. However, if a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school chooses to offer a course that results in certification being earned, the course must be taught by an instructor authorized to provide the instruction by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally recognized association. (f) A school administrator may waive the requirement that a student receive instruction under subsection (c) if the student has a disability or is physically unable to perform the psychomotor skill component of the instruction required under subsection (c). As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.222-2015, SEC.10; P.L.85-2017, SEC.80; P.L.228-2017, SEC.5; P.L.159-2019, SEC.19; P.L.92-2020, SEC.59.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-21 Program, class, or activity contrary to curriculum prohibited

Sec. 21. A state accredited school may not offer, support, or promote any student program, class, or activity that provides student instruction that is contrary to a curriculum required to be provided to students under this chapter. As added by P.L.219-2015, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.60.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-22 Elective course on Indiana studies

Sec. 22. (a) Each: (1) school corporation; (2) charter school; and (3) state accredited nonpublic school; shall offer Indiana studies as a one (1) semester elective course in its high school curriculum at least once every school year. (b) The course described in subsection (a) may be offered by the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school through a course access program administered by the department. As added by P.L.162-2017, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.61.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-23 Computer science course; curriculum; annual report

Sec. 23. (a) Each public high school, including each charter school, shall offer at least one (1) computer science course as a one (1) semester elective in the public high school's curriculum at least once each school year for high school students. This subsection expires July 1, 2028. (b) After June 30, 2028, each public high school, including each charter school, shall offer at least once each school year at least one (1) computer science course as a separate subject in the public high school's curriculum that: (1) satisfies the computer science instruction content requirements; and (2) beginning in 2029, enables high school students to successfully complete instruction on computer science to be eligible to graduate from high school under the requirements; set forth in IC 20-32-4-18. (c) Each public school, including each charter school, shall include computer science in the public school's curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Before July 1, 2028, a public high school fulfills the requirements under this subsection by meeting the requirements under subsection (a). After June 30, 2028, a public high school fulfills the requirements under this subsection by meeting the requirements under subsection (b). (d) If a public school fails to comply with this section, the department shall assist the public school in meeting the requirements under this section. (e) The department shall: (1) prepare an annual report concerning the implementation of computer science courses in public schools, including charter schools, that includes the information described in subsection (f); and (2) submit, before December 1 of each year, the report to the following: (A) The state board. (B) The general assembly. (C) The commission for higher education. The department shall submit the written report to the general assembly in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. (f) The report under subsection (e) must include the following information: (1) The total number and percentage of computer science unique student course enrollments and course completions for each: (A) public elementary school, including each charter school, for students in grade 8; and (B) public high school, including each charter school; by each course title approved by the department. (2) The number and percentage of unique student enrollments and course completions in a computer science course by each course title approved by the department and disaggregated by: (A) race; (B) gender; (C) grade; (D) ethnicity; (E) limited English language proficiency; (F) free or reduced price lunch status; and (G) eligibility for special education. (3) The number of computer science instructors at each school disaggregated by: (A) gender; (B) certification, if applicable; and (C) academic degree. (4) The number of public schools, including charter schools, that offer courses in digital literacy. (5) Any other pertinent matters. (g) The department shall post the report described in subsections (e) and (f) on the department's website. As added by P.L.132-2018, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.76-2020, SEC.4; P.L.150-2024, SEC.32; P.L.74-2026, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 20-30-5-24 Curriculum instruction concerning career awareness; career planning and coaching standards; criteria for career awareness course; online learning modules

Sec. 24. (a) Beginning July 1, 2024, each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall include in its curriculum instruction for all students concerning career awareness. (b) Not later than December 31, 2023, the state board, in cooperation with the commission for higher education, must create career planning and coaching standards for the course described in subsection (a). The state board, in cooperation with the commission for higher education, shall create criteria for a career awareness course that includes instruction on: (1) career awareness regarding a broad range of occupations with an emphasis on high wage, high demand industry sectors; (2) career pathways concerning current and emerging sectors including relevant education and training; (3) career scholarship accounts and the availability of state financial aid and funding; and (4) individualized career planning for each student. (c) The department, in cooperation with the commission for higher education, shall develop a series of on-demand, online learning modules that may be integrated into the course described in subsection (a). The modules must include content on: (1) Indiana's priority job sectors and their career pathways, funding options, and career planning; and (2) the availability of career navigation resources from intermediaries and in-school sources. (d) Beginning in 2030, for each school described in subsection (a), instruction on career awareness must be completed by the end of grade 9. As added by P.L.202-2023, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.127-2024, SEC.1.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026