School Curriculum Bill Passes Out of House

Friday, January 28, 2022 at 2:52 PM

The "education matters" bill requires school corporations to post certain activities and curricular materials on the internet.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – A school curriculum bill that requires school corporations to post certain activities and curricular materials on the internet is one step closer to becoming law.

House Bill 1134 passed out of the House on Thursday by a vote of 60-37.

The bill requires school corporations or qualified schools to add functionality that allows parents of students in the school corporation to opt in or opt out of certain educational activities and curricular materials under certain conditions.

House Bill 1134 would also prohibit the teaching of certain concepts regarding race, gender, and ethnicity, including those that may make students feel discomfort or guilt.

Supporters say the proposal is a way to make sure parents have more say in schools.

Oppositions of the bill, such as the Indiana State Teachers Association, released the following statement on their website:

“Every student deserves an accurate, honest and quality education, no matter the color of their skin or their parent's ZIP code. While educators want to provide every student an accurate and quality education, certain legislators want to whitewash parts of our history. HB 1134 would censor teaching in our classrooms and place unnecessary additional workloads on teachers. Tweet to your senator and tell them to oppose HB 1134.”

House Bill 1134 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

HB 1134 has passed out of the House 60-37. It now goes to the Senate for consideration. pic.twitter.com/bwamLyfcex
— Indiana State Teachers Association (@ISTAmembers) January 26, 2022