Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1460
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-18-2; IC 20-19-3-12; IC 20-20-8-8;
IC 20-26-5-34; IC 20-30-2-2.2; IC 20-31-5-4; IC 20-32-4; IC 20-33.
Synopsis: School absenteeism. Makes changes to the definition of: (1)
chronic absenteeism; and (2) habitual truant. Requires school
corporations and schools to identify contributing factors to absenteeism
and to develop chronic absence reduction plans. Provides that a school
corporation must include the number of students who are habitually
truant in the school corporation's annual performance report. Provides
that a school corporation's strategic and continuous school
improvement plan must include objectives relating to the educational
needs of students who are chronically absent or habitually truant from
school. Requires school corporations to share data on high chronic
absence schools with the department of education (department) and
with the office of the secretary of family and social services for the
purpose of targeting allocation of resources and identifying or
developing programs to improve student attendance. Provides that a
student may not receive a graduation waiver unless the student has at
least a 95% attendance rate. (Current law provides that a student must
have at least a 95% attendance rate, excluding excused absences.)
Provides that out-of-school suspension is an excused absence. Provides
that a student participating in a court assisted resolution of a
suspension or an expulsion case is not considered absent from school
if the student is present for court supervised educational services or
making up classroom assignments. Requires a public school and a
nonpublic school to make its daily attendance record open to inspection
to enable timely reporting and monitoring of chronic absenteeism and
habitual truancy. Provides that a superintendent and a court having
juvenile jurisdiction may enter into a voluntary agreement for a court
assisted resolution of chronic absenteeism. Makes conforming
amendments.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
Frizzell
January 22, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
Introduced
First Regular Session 118th General Assembly (2013)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
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HOUSE BILL No. 1460
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 20-18-2-2.7; (13)IN1460.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 20-18-2-2.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2013]: Sec. 2.7. "Chronic absenteeism" has the meaning set forth
in IC 20-20-8-8.
SOURCE: IC 20-18-2-6.5; (13)IN1460.1.2. -->
SECTION 2. IC 20-18-2-6.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2013]: Sec. 6.5. "Habitual truant" has the meaning set forth in
IC 20-33-2-11.
SOURCE: IC 20-19-3-12; (13)IN1460.1.3. -->
SECTION 3. IC 20-19-3-12 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2013]: Sec. 12. The department shall make reduction of
absenteeism in schools a policy priority and direct school
corporations and schools to:
(1) identify factors contributing to absenteeism; and
(2) develop chronic absence reduction plans.
SOURCE: IC 20-20-8-8; (13)IN1460.1.4. -->
SECTION 4. IC 20-20-8-8, AS AMENDED BY P.L.3-2008,
SECTION 115, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 8. The report must include the
following information:
(1) Student enrollment.
(2) Graduation rate (as defined in IC 20-26-13-6).
(3) Attendance rate.
(4) The following test scores, including the number and
percentage of students meeting academic standards:
(A) ISTEP program test scores.
(B) Scores for assessments under IC 20-32-5-21, if
appropriate.
(C) For a freeway school, scores on a locally adopted
assessment program, if appropriate.
(5) Average class size.
(6) The number and percentage of students in the following
groups or programs:
(A) Alternative education, if offered.
(B) Career and technical education.
(C) Special education.
(D) High ability.
(E) Remediation.
(F) Limited English language proficiency.
(G) Students receiving free or reduced price lunch under the
national school lunch program.
(H) School flex program, if offered.
(7) Advanced placement, including the following:
(A) For advanced placement tests, the percentage of students:
(i) scoring three (3), four (4), and five (5); and
(ii) taking the test.
(B) For the Scholastic Aptitude Test:
(i) test scores for all students taking the test;
(ii) test scores for students completing the academic honors
diploma program; and
(iii) the percentage of students taking the test.
(8) Course completion, including the number and percentage of
students completing the following programs:
(A) Academic honors diploma.
(B) Core 40 curriculum.
(C) Career and technical programs.
(9) The percentage of grade 8 students enrolled in algebra I.
(10) The percentage of graduates who pursue higher education.
(11) School safety, including:
(A) the number of students receiving suspension or expulsion
for the possession of alcohol, drugs, or weapons; and
(B) the number of incidents reported under IC 20-33-9.
(12) Financial information and various school cost factors,
including the following:
(A) Expenditures per pupil.
(B) Average teacher salary.
(C) Remediation funding.
(13) Technology accessibility and use of technology in
instruction.
(14) Interdistrict and intradistrict student mobility rates, if that
information is available.
(15) The number and percentage of each of the following within
the school corporation:
(A) Teachers who are certificated employees (as defined in
IC 20-29-2-4).
(B) Teachers who teach the subject area for which the teacher
is certified and holds a license.
(C) Teachers with national board certification.
(16) The percentage of grade 3 students reading at grade 3 level.
(17) The number of students expelled, including the number
participating in other recognized education programs during their
expulsion.
(18) Chronic absenteeism. which includes For purposes of this
section, "chronic absenteeism" means the number of students
who have been absent more than ten (10) days from school within
a for ten percent (10%) or more of a school year without being
excused. for any reason.
(19) Habitual truancy, which includes the number of students
who have been absent ten (10) days or more from school
within a school year without being excused.
(19) (20) The number of students who have dropped out of
school, including the reasons for dropping out.
(20) (21) The number of student work permits revoked.
(21) (22) The number of student driver's licenses revoked.
(22) (23) The number of students who have not advanced to grade
10 due to a lack of completed credits.
(23) (24) The number of students suspended for any reason.
(24) (25) The number of students receiving an international
baccalaureate diploma.
(25) (26) Other indicators of performance as recommended by the
education roundtable under IC 20-19-4.
SOURCE: IC 20-26-5-34; (13)IN1460.1.5. -->
SECTION 5. IC 20-26-5-34 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2013]: Sec. 34. School corporations shall share data on schools
having a high number of chronic student absences with the
department and with the office of the secretary of family and social
services for the purpose of:
(1) targeting allocation of resources; and
(2) identifying or developing model programs to improve
school attendance.
SOURCE: IC 20-30-2-2.2; (13)IN1460.1.6. -->
SECTION 6. IC 20-30-2-2.2, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 16, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 2.2. (a) As used in this section, "eligible student"
means a student in grade 11 or 12 who has:
(1) failed the ISTEP+ graduation exam at least twice;
(2) been determined to be chronically absent, by missing
more
than ten (10) unexcused days of school in one (1) ten percent
(10%) or more of a school year
for any reason;
(3) been determined to be a habitual truant, as identified under
IC 20-33-2-11;
(4) been significantly behind in credits for graduation, as
identified by an individual's school principal;
(5) previously undergone at least a second suspension from school
for the school year under IC 20-33-8-14 or IC 20-33-8-15;
(6) previously undergone an expulsion from school under
IC 20-33-8-14, IC 20-33-8-15, or IC 20-33-8-16; or
(7) been determined by the individual's principal and the
individual's parent or guardian to benefit by participating in the
school flex program.
(b) An eligible student who participates in a school flex program
must:
(1) attend school for at least three (3) hours of instructional time
per school day;
(2) pursue a timely graduation;
(3) provide evidence of college or technical career education
enrollment and attendance or proof of employment and labor that
is aligned with the student's career academic sequence under rules
established by the Indiana bureau of child labor;
(4) not be suspended or expelled while participating in a school
flex program;
(5) pursue course and credit requirements for a general diploma;
and
(6) maintain a ninety-five percent (95%) attendance rate.
(c) A school may allow an eligible student in grade 11 or 12 to
complete an instructional day that consists of three (3) hours of
instructional time if the student participates in the school flex program.
(d) If one (1) or more students participate in a school flex program,
the principal shall, on forms provided by the department, submit a
yearly report to the department of student participation and graduation
rates of students who participate in the school flex program.
SOURCE: IC 20-31-5-4; (13)IN1460.1.7. -->
SECTION 7. IC 20-31-5-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION
15, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
2013]: Sec. 4. (a) A plan must:
(1) state objectives for a three (3) year period; and
(2) be annually reviewed and revised to accomplish the
achievement objectives of the school.
(b) A plan must establish objectives for the school to achieve. These
achievement objectives must be consistent with academic standards
and include improvement in at least the following areas:
(1) Attendance rate.
(2) The educational needs of students who have been
identified to be chronically absent or habitually truant from
school.
(2) (3) The percentage of students meeting academic standards
under the ISTEP program (IC 20-31-3 and IC 20-32-5).
(3) (4) For a secondary school, graduation rate.
(c) A plan must address the learning needs of all students, including
programs and services for exceptional learners.
(d) A plan must specify how and to what extent the school expects
to make continuous improvement in all areas of the education system
where results are measured by setting benchmarks for progress on an
individual school basis.
(e) A plan must note specific areas where improvement is needed
immediately.
SOURCE: IC 20-32-4-4; (13)IN1460.1.8. -->
SECTION 8. IC 20-32-4-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.185-2006,
SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 4. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, a
student who does not achieve a passing score on the graduation
examination and who does not meet the requirements of section 1 of
this chapter may be eligible to graduate if the student does all the
following:
(1) Takes the graduation examination in each subject area in
which the student did not achieve a passing score at least one (1)
time every school year after the school year in which the student
first takes the graduation examination.
(2) Completes remediation opportunities provided to the student
by the student's school.
(3) Maintains a school attendance rate of at least ninety-five
percent (95%). with excused absences not counting against the
student's attendance.
(4) Maintains at least a "C" average or the equivalent in the
courses comprising the credits specifically required for graduation
by rule of the state board.
(5) Otherwise satisfies all state and local graduation requirements.
(6) Either:
(A) completes:
(i) the course and credit requirements for a general diploma,
including the career academic sequence;
(ii) a workforce readiness assessment; and
(iii) at least one (1) career exploration internship,
cooperative education, or workforce credential
recommended by the student's school; or
(B) obtains a written recommendation from a teacher of the
student in each subject area in which the student has not
achieved a passing score on the graduation examination. The
written recommendation must be concurred in by the principal
of the student's school and be supported by documentation that
the student has attained the academic standard in the subject
area based on:
(i) tests other than the graduation examination; or
(ii) classroom work.
SOURCE: IC 20-32-4-5; (13)IN1460.1.9. -->
SECTION 9. IC 20-32-4-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.1-2005, SECTION
16, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
2013]: Sec. 5. (a) This section applies to a student who is a child with
a disability (as defined in IC 20-35-1-2).
(b) If the student does not achieve a passing score on the graduation
examination, the student's case conference committee may determine
that the student is eligible to graduate if the case conference committee
finds the following:
(1) The student's teacher of record, in consultation with a teacher
of the student in each subject area in which the student has not
achieved a passing score, makes a written recommendation to the
case conference committee. The recommendation must:
(A) be concurred in by the principal of the student's school;
and
(B) be supported by documentation that the student has
attained the academic standard in the subject area based on:
(i) tests other than the graduation examination; or
(ii) classroom work.
(2) The student meets all the following requirements:
(A) Retakes the graduation examination in each subject area
in which the student did not achieve a passing score as often
as required by the student's individualized education program.
(B) Completes remediation opportunities provided to the
student by the student's school to the extent required by the
student's individualized education program.
(C) Maintains a school attendance rate of at least ninety-five
percent (95%) to the extent required by the student's
individualized education program. with excused absences not
counting against the student's attendance.
(D) Maintains at least a "C" average or the equivalent in the
courses comprising the credits specifically required for
graduation by rule of the state board.
(E) Otherwise satisfies all state and local graduation
requirements.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-2-11; (13)IN1460.1.10. -->
SECTION 10. IC 20-33-2-11, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 11. (a) Notwithstanding IC 9-24 concerning the
minimum requirements for qualifying for the issuance of an operator's
license or a learner's permit, and subject to subsections (c) through (e),
an individual who is:
(1) at least thirteen (13) years of age but less than fifteen (15)
years of age;
(2) a habitual truant under the definition of habitual truant
established under subsection (b); and
(3) identified in the information submitted to the bureau of motor
vehicles under subsection (f);
may not be issued an operator's license or a learner's permit to drive a
motor vehicle under IC 9-24 until the individual is at least eighteen
(18) years of age.
(b) Each governing body shall establish and include as part of the
written copy of its discipline rules described in IC 20-33-8-12:
(1) a definition of a child who is designated as a habitual truant,
which must at a minimum, define the term as a student who is
chronically absent, by having has unexcused absences from
school for more than ten (10) or more days of school in one (1)
school year;
(2) the procedures under which subsection (a) will be
administered; and
(3) all other pertinent matters related to this action.
(c) An individual described in subsection (a) is entitled to the
procedure described in IC 20-33-8-19.
(d) An individual described in subsection (a) who is at least thirteen
(13) years of age and less than eighteen (18) years of age is entitled to
a periodic review of the individual's attendance record in school to
determine whether the prohibition described in subsection (a) shall
continue. The periodic reviews may not be conducted less than one (1)
time each school year.
(e) Upon review, the governing body may determine that the
individual's attendance record has improved to the degree that the
individual may become eligible to be issued an operator's license or a
learner's permit.
(f) Before:
(1) February 1; and
(2) October 1;
of each year the governing body of the school corporation shall submit
to the bureau of motor vehicles the pertinent information concerning an
individual's ineligibility under subsection (a) to be issued an operator's
license or a learner's permit.
(g) The department shall develop guidelines concerning criteria
used in defining a habitual truant that may be considered by a
governing body in complying with subsection (b).
SOURCE: IC 20-33-2-14; (13)IN1460.1.11. -->
SECTION 11. IC 20-33-2-14, AS AMENDED BY P.L.90-2011,
SECTION 42, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 14. (a) This section and sections 15 through 17.5
of this chapter apply to a student who attends either a public school or
a nonpublic school.
(b) The governing body of each school corporation shall have a
policy outlining the conditions for excused and unexcused absences.
The policy must include the grounds for excused absences required by
sections 15 through 17.5 of this chapter or another law. Any absence
that results in a person not attending at least one hundred eighty (180)
days in a school year must be in accordance with the governing body's
policy to qualify as an excused absence.
(b) For purposes of this section, "excused absence" means an
absence that a school corporation or nonpublic school specifies in
school policy as being caused by a legitimate reason and that is
verified by the student's parent or physician. The term includes,
but is not limited to, an absence caused by:
(1) illness or medical issues;
(2) a funeral;
(3) maternity;
(4) military service of the student or the deployment or return
of a family member of the student who is enlisted in the armed
forces of the United States or national guard; or
(5) except as provided in subsection (f), a suspension, as
defined in IC 20-33-8-7.
(c) An unexcused absence is any absence that is not:
(1) an excused absence;
(2) an absence excused under subsection (d); or
(3) an absence covered by an exception under sections 15
through 17.5 of this chapter.
(c) (d) Service as a page for or as an honoree of the general
assembly is a lawful excuse for a student to be absent from school,
when verified by a certificate of the secretary of the senate or the chief
clerk of the house of representatives. A student excused from school
attendance under this section may not be recorded as being absent on
any date for which the excuse is operative and may not be penalized by
the school in any manner.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f), the absence of a student
who is suspended under IC 20-33-8-7 is considered an excused
absence.
(f) A student under court supervision who is receiving services
under IC 20-33-8.5 is not considered absent if the student is present
for any court supervised instruction or makes up classroom
assignments under an agreement under IC 20-33-8.5-2.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-2-20; (13)IN1460.1.12. -->
SECTION 12. IC 20-33-2-20, AS AMENDED BY P.L.34-2008,
SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 20. (a) An accurate daily record of the attendance
of each student who is subject to compulsory school attendance under
this chapter shall be kept by every public and nonpublic school.
Public
schools and nonpublic schools shall make the daily record of
attendance available for inspection to enable timely reporting and
monitoring of chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy.
(b) In a public school, the record shall be open at all times for
inspection by:
(1) attendance officers;
(2) school officials;
(3) agents of the department of labor;
(4) security police officers appointed under IC 36-8-3-7; and
(5) school corporation police officers appointed under
IC 20-26-16.
Every teacher shall answer fully all lawful inquiries made by an
attendance officer, a school official, an agent of the department of
labor, or a security police officer appointed under IC 36-8-3-7.
(c) In a nonpublic school, the record shall be required to be kept
solely to verify the enrollment and attendance of a student upon request
of the:
(1) state superintendent; or
(2) superintendent of the school corporation in which the
nonpublic school is located.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-2; (13)IN1460.1.13. -->
SECTION 13. IC 20-33-8.5-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 2. A superintendent and a court having juvenile
jurisdiction in the county may enter into a voluntary agreement
(referred to as the "agreement" in this chapter) for court assisted
resolution of school suspension and expulsion cases or the chronic
absenteeism of a student. The agreement may require the court to
supervise or provide for the supervision of:
(1) an expelled or suspended student; or
(2) a student who has been identified as being chronically
absent from school;
who has been referred to the court by the school corporation in
accordance with the terms of the agreement.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-3; (13)IN1460.1.14. -->
SECTION 14. IC 20-33-8.5-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 3. The agreement may require that a court do one
(1) or more of the following:
(1) Establish a flexible program for the supervision of a student
who has been suspended, or expelled, or identified as being
chronically absent.
(2) Supervise a student who has been suspended, or expelled, or
identified as being chronically absent.
(3) Require a student who has been suspended, or expelled, or
identified as being chronically absent to participate in a school
program (including an alternative educational program) for the
supervision of a the student. who has been suspended or expelled.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-4; (13)IN1460.1.15. -->
SECTION 15. IC 20-33-8.5-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 4. (a) The agreement may require that a school
corporation do one (1) or more of the following:
(1) Define the violation for which a student who has been
suspended,
or expelled,
or identified as being chronically
absent from school shall be referred to the court.
(2) Refer a student who has been
suspended,
or expelled,
or
identified as being chronically absent from school for a
violation described in subdivision (1) to the court.
(3) Establish a school program (including an alternative
educational program) for the supervision of a student who has
been suspended, or expelled, or identified as being chronically
absent from school.
(b) If a school corporation enters into an agreement, the discipline
rules adopted by the school corporation under IC 20-33-8-12 must
specify the violations for which a student may be referred to the court
under the agreement.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-5; (13)IN1460.1.16. -->
SECTION 16. IC 20-33-8.5-5, AS AMENDED BY
P.L.182-2009(ss), SECTION 321, IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 5. The agreement must
provide how the expenses of supervising a student who has been
suspended, or expelled, or identified as being chronically absent
from school are funded. A school corporation may not be required to
expend more than the transition to foundation amount (as determined
under IC 20-43-5-6) for each student referred under the agreement.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-7; (13)IN1460.1.17. -->
SECTION 17. IC 20-33-8.5-7, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 7. A hearing under this chapter is not a hearing to
determine whether a student who has been suspended, or expelled, or
identified as a student who is chronically absent from school is a
child in need of services. However, if a court determines that a student
who has been suspended, or expelled, or identified as being
chronically absent from school may:
(1) be a child in need of services (as described in IC 31-34-1); or
(2) have committed a delinquent act (as described in IC 31-37);
the court may notify the office of family and children or the prosecuting
attorney.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-10; (13)IN1460.1.18. -->
SECTION 18. IC 20-33-8.5-10, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 10. All records of the student's court appearance
shall be expunged upon the student's completion of the chronic
absenteeism or out-of-school suspension or expulsion program.
SOURCE: IC 20-33-8.5-11; (13)IN1460.1.19. -->
SECTION 19. IC 20-33-8.5-11, AS ADDED BY P.L.242-2005,
SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 11. Notwithstanding the terms of the agreement,
a suspension, an expulsion,
an identification of a student as being
chronically absent, or a referral of a student who is a child with a
disability (as defined in
IC 20-1-6-1) IC 20-35-1-2) is subject to the:
(1) procedural requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1415; and
(2) rules adopted by the Indiana state board of education.