The state of Indiana is going through a monumental change with a new governor and President of the United States. Donald Trump has proposed an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education, giving individual states primary control of education. Under Mike Braun, Indiana legislators have begun to make very drastic changes to multiple state bills. These would affect schools, communities, laws, and could directly affect you and your family.
A few of the bills in question could make it difficult for kids to go onto college after high school, which is something that the state of Indiana is, and has been struggling with. Since 2015, Indiana has been dropping in number of kids going to college. In 2022 about 53% of seniors graduated and went to college, which is a 12% decline from 2012 (Higher Ed Drive.com).
To combat the decline, and as of the 2024–25 school year, 270 Indiana high schools are offering the Indiana College Core diploma, a 30-credit-hour block of general education courses, to encourage college enrollment. These credits can be transferred to all Indiana public colleges and some private institutions. This represents a 20% increase from the previous year, according to the Northwestern Indiana Times.
However, there are other house bills aimed at easing the transition to college, despite increasingly competitive admissions, new DEI legislation, budget cuts, and changing policies. Students across the nation are experiencing the ramifications of these changes, some even in our own school.
Introduced: 1/08/2025
Current: Referred to Committee on Education 1/08/2025
This bill would essentially shut down schools whose zoned students choose to attend other schools. This would largely affect IPS Schools, as more than 50% of the school population utilizes school choice and attends at different schools. Other schools affected would be Gary community schools and LaPorte Schools. While Lawrence Township is a growing district, now boasting the IndyStar Community Choice Awards for the best public school district in Indy, charter schools pose a significant challenge for public school funding.
Introduced: 1/21/2025
Current: Three co-authors added 1/27/2025
This bill permits student-athletes to transfer to different schools for athletic reasons. This could provide athletes with opportunities to enhance their high school careers and increase their chances of being noticed by college recruiters.
That said, there are drawbacks to this bill. It could lead to schools creating athletic “powerhouses” that dominate in every sport. Private high schools in the Indianapolis area have been practicing this strategy for years through “athletic scholarships” that are disguised as academic scholarships so students can come to these private schools and play sports for free. While it is legal, this bill will now allow all schools in Indiana to engage in similar practices, potentially creating an imbalance in competition.
Introduced: 1/16/2025
Current: First reading in the House 3/03/2025
This bill would have public schools share taxpayer dollars with nearby charter schools. The charter schools have to then put that money into a separate fund so it can be used for clean uses. Smaller school districts might be cleared from this bill since that they are more likely to not be around charter schools. If a charter school gets money from local taxes, they might get less from the state grant program, so it’s not considered “double-dipping.” That means that public schools will see less taxpayer dollars, while charter schools are getting more.
Introduced: Amendments introduced 1/14/2025
Current: PASSED 4/15/2025
This bill has many impacts on the funding of public schools. Firstly, it places restrictions on controlled project referendums, which is how Lawrence Township was able to fund a much needed update on many schools. Second, beginning in 2028, all public school corporations will be required to share a portion of their operations fund levy with certain charter schools. This may cause a per-pupil spending loss for public schools.
Third, the bill eliminates many systems for distributing property taxes which places strain on public school funding.
While some of these are still under review, they have the potential to impact various sectors and communities. It’s important to stay informed about their progress and understand how they could affect your rights, finances, or daily life. Keep an eye out for updates to this article and get involved if necessary to ensure your voice is heard.
