State Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) and the Indiana House of Representatives voted Tuesday in support of legislation to fully fund all K-12 public school students for the 2020-21 school year, regardless of whether students attended classes in-person or virtually due to COVID-19.
Jordan, vice chair of the House Education Committee, said the pandemic caused many traditional public schools to shift from in-person classes to remote learning. Under current law, schools receive 85% of tuition support per virtual student, which is defined as a child learning 50% or more of their instruction online. This means many schools would qualify for the lower funding amount because of moving classes online. The legislation, which now advances to the Senate for consideration, would help mitigate requirements under current law and allow K-12 public schools to receive 100% funding for each student, whether they attended classes in-person or virtually.
“Our schools have worked hard to keep students on track academically, despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic,” Jordan said. “I am committed to seeing that each student receives a quality education, regardless of how it is taught, and this legislation fully funding public students is a key part of their continued success.”
To learn more about House Bill 1003 and watch legislative proceedings online, visit iga.in.gov.
