School is back in session, and as our students return to the classroom, I want to highlight some of the new education laws passed this year. At the Statehouse, we've continued to prioritize education to help ensure our students are set up for success, and that Indiana remains a national leader in K-12 education.
As vice chair of the House Education Committee, I worked with my colleagues to further empower educators and schools. House Enrolled Act 1002 reduces Indiana's K-12 education regulations by nearly 10% to give local schools more flexibility and control over education decisions. It repeals unnecessary bureaucracy and mandates, giving schools and educators more time to focus on delivering results for our students.
As a parent, I understand the importance of parental involvement in major decisions at school, since we are the ones that know our children the best. A new law I co-authored prioritizes parental choice by removing restrictive language from Indiana Code related to school athletic transfers. This change provides families with greater flexibility when making decisions about their child’s participation in school athletics.
Another issue I care deeply about is school safety. Our students, families and teachers deserve a safe and secure learning environment. I co-authored House Enrolled Act 1637 to establish the Office of School Safety in Indiana, which will streamline resources, oversee safety plans and ensure security standards are met to keep our students safe.
The Legislature also passed a new law to strengthen curriculum in our classrooms. House Enrolled Act 1634 aims to improve math education in the state and help better prepare students for careers in STEM. The new law provides a framework to challenge students who are excelling in math, support those who need additional assistance and bolster teacher training. This legislation builds on previous efforts to strengthen literacy skills among Hoosier children. I co-authored a law in 2023 that created science of reading standards to provide targeted support for students facing reading difficulties.
I also supported a new law this year to encourage students to participate in enriching programs outside of school. Under the new law, Indiana students in good academic standing can receive up to six excused absences per school year to attend 4-H and FFA events. These events provide students with invaluable experiences that build leadership, responsibility and real-world skills, and help prepare them for jobs in agriculture and other industries.
Our continued focus on education is leading to positive results for Hoosier students. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the state recently jumped to sixth in the nation for fourth grade and eighth grade reading and made gains in fourth grade math. Recent data from the 2024-2025 IREAD assessment showed a historic 5% statewide increase in third grade literacy rates.
These achievements would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Indiana’s educators, school staff and parents. I will continue to prioritize our students, support our educators and empower families to make the best decisions for their kids.
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State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
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