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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:
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(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) 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. Amended by P.L.286-2013,
SEC.93.
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
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(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
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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 20-30-5-5.5
Bullying prevention; student instruction
Sec. 5.5. (a) Not later than October 15 of each year, each public
school shall provide age appropriate, research based instruction as
provided under IC 5-2-10.1-12(d)(1) 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) and incorporate the instruction
in grades 1 through 12.
(c) Instruction on bullying prevention may be delivered by a
school safety specialist, school counselor, or any other person with
training and expertise in the area of bullying prevention and
intervention.
As added by P.L.285-2013, SEC.4.
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.
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(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.
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(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.
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:
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(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) 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, 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. Amended by P.L.233-2015,
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SEC.227.
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.
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(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
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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) curricular materials;
(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
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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. Amended by P.L.286-2013,
SEC.95.
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.
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(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.
IC 20-30-5-20
Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an
automated external defibrillator
Sec. 20. (a) As used in this section, "psychomotor skills" means
skills using hands on practice to support cognitive learning.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (e), each school corporation
and accredited nonpublic school shall include in the school
corporation's or 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.
(c) A school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school may
offer the instruction required in subsection (b) 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.
(d) 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 or
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.
(e) A school administrator may waive the requirement that a
student receive instruction under subsection (b) if the student has a
disability or is physically unable to perform the psychomotor skill
component of the instruction required under subsection (b).
(f) If a school is unable to comply with the psychomotor skill
component of the instruction required under subsection (b), the
governing body may submit a request to the state superintendent to
waive the psychomotor skill component. The state superintendent
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shall take action on the waiver request within thirty (30) days of
receiving the request for a waiver. A waiver request must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) include the reason or reasons that necessitated the waiver
request;
(3) indicate the extent to which the school attempted to comply
with the requirements under subsection (b); and
(4) be submitted each year for the school year the school
requests the waiver.
This subsection expires July 1, 2015.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.222-2015,
SEC.10.
IC 20-30-5-21
Program, class, or activity contrary to curriculum prohibited
Sec. 21. An 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.
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