167 new.pdfPosted Feb. 22, 2022
Staff Editor
Senate Bill 167, a controversial transparency bill for Indiana school curriculums, will no longer be considered after caucus members decided “there is no path forward.”
This bill, which would’ve had the largest effect on topics like race, religion, and politics in schools, would call for learning materials (such as lesson plans and syllabi) to be posted online to be able to be accessed by parents. The bill defines what a “qualified school” is and the requirements of such schools. Included into the bill is an option for parents to be able to opt-out their child from certain educational activities. A committee formed with community members, teachers, parents, and administrators would also be formed to be able to recommend educational activities for the curriculum. All guidelines for the committee and procedures were included.
“Provides that a state agency, state educational institution, school corporation, or qualified school or an employee of the state agency, state educational institution, school corporation, or qualified school acting in an official capacity may not include or promote certain concepts as part of a course of instruction or in a curriculum or direct or otherwise compel a school employee or student to adhere to certain tenets relating to the individual's sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, or political affiliation,” states the digest of the bill on iga.in.gov.
There was an eight hour hearing concerning the bill. Bill 167 was authored by Senator Scott Baldwin, Senator Jeff Raatz, and Senator Travis Holdman. The controversy concerning the bill was the requirement for impartiality on all subjects, including things like Nazism. It would also require parental consent before providing social emotional or other mental health services. The bill was taken off the calendar in the Indiana senate.
A similar bill has passed committee with a 8-5 vote, and could have the possibility to go to the Senate after it passes through the House.