Indiana schools could convert public schools into charter schools

A school would have to provide extra math support to a student it finds at risk. This would cover students in kindergarten through grade 8 whom a school finds at risk of missing grade-level math proficiency. The school would base its finding on an approved grade-level screener or a statewide assessment given during the year. The support would match the student's needs and work alongside regular instruction. The requirements would begin with the 2026–2027 school year. Schools would notify parents within 15 days after finding a student at risk.

A school corporation could seek to convert an existing public school into a charter school by voting to do so and submitting a proposal to an authorizer. This would cover existing public elementary and secondary schools within a school corporation. The school corporation could not authorize the charter school itself. With the authorizer's approval, the corporation or a nonprofit it established could operate two or more converted schools under one charter. Each school site would need to be named in the charter and follow its performance and accountability rules. These provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.

A school board could make an agreement with a charter school organizer to operate an innovation network charter school. This would apply to school boards and organizers making agreements for participating innovation network charter schools. The school could be located within the boundaries of a school corporation that has an agreement with its organizer. The agreement would set terms for enrollment, performance, and funding. A board could not both authorize a charter school and have an agreement with that school. The state would count the charter school when calculating support for its students who live outside the boundaries of school corporations with which it has an agreement. These provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.

The Pokagon Indiana Education Fund would pay approved Indiana colleges and workforce training programs directly for eligible Band citizens' education costs. This would cover eligible citizens of the Pokagon Band using the education fund. The Band must make payments under the referenced law for the fund to receive a share of its annual payment. A citizen would have to be enrolled in the Band before receiving payment and meet the provider's admission requirements. The fund could pay direct education costs, such as tuition and on-campus room and board. Indiana residents would receive priority when they apply. These provisions would take effect July 1, 2027.