2012 Indiana Code
TITLE 20. EDUCATION
ARTICLE 30. CURRICULUM
CHAPTER 5. MANDATORY CURRICULUM

IC 20-30-5
Chapter 5. Mandatory Curriculum

IC 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.

IC 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-2
Constitutions; interdisciplinary course
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 textbooks for uniform instruction.
(c) A high school student may not receive a diploma unless the student has successfully completed the interdisciplinary course described in this section.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-4 System of government; American history
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) A student may not receive a high school diploma unless the student has completed a two (2) semester course in American history.
(c) If a public school superintendent violates this section, the state superintendent shall receive and record reports of the violations. The general assembly may examine these reports.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 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.

IC 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 state superintendent 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-6
Good citizenship instruction
Sec. 6. (a) This section applies only to public 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.
(c) The department shall:
(1) identify; and
(2) make available;
models of conflict resolution instruction to school corporations. The instruction may consist of a teacher education program that applies the techniques to the students in the classroom to assist school corporations in complying with this section.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.170.

IC 20-30-5-7
School corporation studies
Sec. 7. 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 a study of the Holocaust in each high school United States history course.
(4) Sciences.
(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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.86-2007, SEC.1.

IC 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 must be consistent with the curriculum and programs developed under IC 20-19-3-6 and 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.

IC 20-30-5-8
Safety education
Sec. 8. A course in safety education for at least one (1) full semester shall be taught in grade 8 of each public school and nonpublic school. The state board shall prepare a guide for this course that:
(1) the teacher shall use; and
(2) may be revised under the direction of the state board.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2011, SEC.15.

IC 20-30-5-9
Hygiene
Sec. 9. (a) The principles of hygiene and sanitary science must be

taught in grade 5 of each public school and may be taught in other grades. This instruction must explain the ways that dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the sanitary methods for disease prevention and restriction.
(b) The state health commissioner and the state superintendent shall jointly compile a leaflet describing the principles of hygiene, sanitary science, and disease prevention and shall supply the leaflets to each superintendent, who shall:
(1) supply the leaflets to each school; and
(2) require the teachers to comply with this section.
(c) Each prosecuting attorney to whom the state department of health or the state department of health's agents report any violation of this section shall commence proceedings against the violator.
(d) 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-10
Diseases
Sec. 10. (a) 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.
(b) A school official who fails to comply with this section commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-11
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, prescription drugs, and controlled substances; instruction in kindergarten through grade 12
Sec. 11. (a) For kindergarten through grade 12, the governing body of each school corporation shall provide instruction concerning the effects that:
(1) alcoholic beverages;
(2) tobacco;
(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 every grade from kindergarten through grade 12.
(e) The department shall provide assistance to each school corporation to train at least one (1) teacher in the school corporation in drug education.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-12
AIDS
Sec. 12. (a) Each school corporation shall:
(1) include in the school corporation's curriculum instruction concerning the disease acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); and
(2) integrate this effort to the extent possible with instruction on other dangerous communicable diseases.
(b) A school corporation shall consider the recommendations of the AIDS advisory council established under IC 20-34-1 concerning community standards on the:
(1) content of the instruction;
(2) manner in which the information is presented; and
(3) grades in which the information is taught.
(c) Literature that is distributed to school children and young adults under this section must include information required by IC 20-34-3-17.
(d) The department, in consultation with the state department of health, shall develop AIDS educational materials. The department shall make the materials developed under this section available to school corporations.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-13
Instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases
Sec. 13. Throughout instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, an 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 diseases, and other associated health problems; and
(3) include in the instruction that the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-14 Employment matters and work values; career awareness and development; teacher education; career preparation demonstration projects
Sec. 14. (a) 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.
(b) 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 (a).
(c) The department shall develop career awareness and career development models as described in subsection (d) to assist schools in complying with this section.
(d) 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 10, career exploration models that offer students insight into future employment options.
(4) For grades 11 through 12, 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.246-2005,

SEC.171.

IC 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 state 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 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 state 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.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 20-30-5-17
Access to materials relating to personal analysis, evaluation, or survey of students; consent for participation Sec. 17. (a) A school corporation shall make available for inspection by the parent of a student any instructional materials, including:
(1) teachers' manuals;
(2) textbooks;
(3) films or other video materials;
(4) tapes; and
(5) other materials;
used in connection with a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey described in subsection (b).
(b) 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 section shall accurately reflect the contents and nature of the personal analysis, evaluation, or survey.
(c) The department and the governing body shall give parents and students notice of their rights under this section.
(d) The governing body shall enforce this section.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.14.

IC 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 state 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.

IC 20-30-5-19
Personal financial responsibility instruction
Sec. 19. (a) Each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school shall include in its curriculum for all students in grades 6 through 12 instruction concerning personal financial responsibility.
(b) A school corporation, a charter school, and an accredited nonpublic school may meet the requirements of subsection (a) by:
(1) integrating, within its curriculum, instruction; or
(2) conducting a seminar;
that is designed to foster overall personal financial responsibility.
(c) The state board shall adopt a curriculum that ensures personal financial responsibility is taught:
(1) in a manner appropriate for each grade level; and
(2) as a separate subject or as units incorporated into appropriate subjects;
as determined by the state board.
As added by P.L.154-2009, SEC.2.