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Legislative Update

January 29, 2025

On Monday, more than 50 of our school leaders and INPEA board members met with state legislators and staff at INPEA Day at the Statehouse. It was a great day! Thank you to the following schools for spending the afternoon with us to engage with legislators: 


Bethesda Christian School, Brownsburg

Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne

Columbus Christian School

Concordia Lutheran High School, Fort Wayne

Faith Christian School, Lafayette

Good Shepherd Catholic School, Evansville

Good Shepherd Christian Academy, Greensburg

Guerin Catholic High School, Noblesville

Heritage Christian School, Indianapolis

Holy Cross School, Anderson

Indiana Academy, Cicero

Indy West Christian School, Indianapolis

Lafayette Catholic School System

MTI School of Knowledge, Indianapolis

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, Oldenburg

Saint Joseph Catholic School, Evansville

Saint Monica Catholic School, Indianapolis

Saint Wendel Catholic School, Wadesville

Tabernacle Christian School, Martinsville


It was great to have so many of our school and jurisdiction leaders present to have meaningful conversations with legislators from across the state. We know that many legislators left our lunch with a greater understanding of the impact INPEA has on Hoosier students and their families. 

2025 Legislation


We are midway through week four of the legislative session and INPEA is tracking more than 50 bills related to education. Here are a few bills we’d like to highlight:


  • HB 1515 Education and Higher Education Matters has four parts pertaining to non-public schools. Sections 4-7 of the bill would allow non-public schools to establish their own police force. Section 8 of the bill would allow families or schools to appeal student ineligibility for the Choice Scholarship Program because of data error. Section 10 of the bill would allow non-public schools to participate in the STEM teacher recruitment grants. Sections 12 and 13 of the bill would allow non-public school leaders to participate in the Indiana Principals Institute. 
  • SB 358 Various Education Matters includes two components that pertain to non-public schools. Sections 1 and 8 of the bill would allow schools that are provisionally third-party accredited to participate in the Choice Scholarship Program. Section 9 of the bill parallels the language in HB 1515 about providing a Choice Scholarship appeal when a student’s ineligibility is due to data error. 
  • SB 366 Education Matters includes a proposal to provide some regulatory relief for Pre-K programs that are attached to an accredited elementary school. INPEA asked that non-public schools be included in this bill. 


You can learn more in the latest episode of the Statehouse Express podcast, linked below.

Listen to the Statehouse Express Podcast: S6, E2
Download 2025 Legislative Planning Worksheet

Across the Finish Line Advocacy Training Opportunities


Our partners at the Institute for Quality Education have two upcoming opportunities for non-pub parents and stakeholders. Please share this information with your school families.


Testifying and Telling Your Story

Learn how to build and tell your story to compel legislators to support universal choice. Learn about committee hearings and understand how to testify in front of lawmakers.  

RVSP below by clicking the date that works best for you:

 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT 

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dRpilEzDSR29yIxXouNV-Q#/registration

 

Thursday, February 6, 2025

6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT 

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oVyINcybRbG2oQVCdDha8Q

 

Meetings and Town Halls with Your Legislator

Learn how to set up and conduct an in-person meeting with your legislator(s). You will also be given the tools to attend and participate in an area town hall as well as share your message with legislators. RVSP below by clicking the date that works best for you:

 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Rg0CBlpcSxekHG6fT_iHSw#/registration

 

Thursday, February 6, 2025

11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT 

Registration Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_XHhRL4vQby-oy8hnmTXLA

Action Alert: Tell Your Legislators That You are Thankful for School Choice


Celebrate National School Choice Week by telling legislators to support universal school choice in the 2025 legislative session. Send a personalized message with your school choice story at the link below.

Contact Your Legislator

Indiana General Assembly Page Program


On Monday, INPEA was thrilled to have 32 students from INPEA member schools serve as pages in the Indiana General Assembly. Students came from Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Columbus Christian School, Faith Christian School in Lafayette, and Good Shepherd Catholic School and Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville. It was great to have them in the Statehouse on the same day as our INPEA Day at the Statehouse!


Students in grades 6-12 can apply for the Indiana General Assembly Page Program, serving as a page in the Senate or House. This is a fantastic way to showcase our non-pub students during the 2025 legislative session and an incredible opportunity for students to learn more about state government and citizenship. You can download a sample schedule here


The application is quick and easy and there are still some days available during the 2025 legislative session. For more information and to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/2025IGAPageProgram

(317) 236-7329
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202 
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