Indiana School Climate Policy

There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Indiana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-.0.2 Bullying.

Defines the term bullying and the behaviors associated with these actions.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-0-2/

 Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-3-11.5. Cyberbullying resources.

Defines the term cyberbullying and states that the department of education will provide parents and school officials with resources and best practices for the prevention of cyberbullying.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-3/section-20-19-3-11-5/

 Indiana asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated.

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-13.5. Discipline rules prohibiting bullying are required.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-13-5/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-12. Adoption of discipline rules; publicity requirement; discipline policy regulations and guidelines; delegation of authority; rulemaking powers of the governing body.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-12/

Indiana anti-bullying laws cover incidents that occur on- and off-school grounds.

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-13.5. Discipline rules prohibiting bullying are required.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-13-5/

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Indiana schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.

• Indiana Administrative Code 511 4-1.5-7 Crisis intervention plans.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-511/article-4/rule-1-5/511-iac-4-1-5-7/

• Indiana Administrative Code 511 6.1-2-2.5 Safe schools and emergency preparedness planning.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-511/article-6-1/rule-1-2/511-iac-6-1-2-2-5/

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-3-14 Establishment and responsibilities of the division of school building physical security and safety.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-3/section-20-19-3-14/

Schools in Indiana may employ school resource officers to help with the development of school safety plans, protect against outside threats, etc. 

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-18.2-2. Employment of school resource officer; duties.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-18-2/section-20-26-18-2-2/

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-18.2-1. “School resource officer”

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-18-2/section-20-26-18-2-1/

Indiana Code Annotated § 35-47-9-1. Exemptions from chapter.

States that a school resource officer and an individual who has been authorized by a school board or the body that administers a charter school can possess weapons in school.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-47/chapter-9/section-35-47-9-1/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-13.5. Discipline rules prohibiting bullying are required.

States that support services will be provided for the victim and bullying education for the bully.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-13-5/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-5-1. Department duties.

The department of education, in cooperation with the department of child services, the department of correction, and the division of mental health and addiction, will work on plans to provide students with comprehensive mental health services, treatment services, early interventions, etc.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-5/section-20-19-5-1/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-5-6 Good citizenship instruction.

This only applies to public schools. The school curriculum will integrate instruction that stresses the importance of traits such as, respecting authority, being honest, respecting others, always doing your best, etc. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-5/section-20-30-5-6/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-5-5.5. Bullying prevention; student instruction.

Each public school shall provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction focusing on bullying prevention for all students in grades one through twelve.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-5/section-20-30-5-5-5/

Indiana Code 20-26-5-34.4 Child suicide awareness and prevention policy.

Each school corporation shall adopt a policy addressing measures intended to increase child suicide awareness and prevention.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-34-4/

Indiana Code Annotated § 12-21-5-2. Education and treatment of children with an emotional disturbance; provision of training on suicide prevention.

The division is responsible for the planning, research, and development of programs and methods for the education and treatment of children with emotional disturbance.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-12/article-21/chapter-5/section-12-21-5-2/

Indiana Administrative Code 513 1-2-3 Use of behavior intervention and support.

A school shall use prevention, positive behavior intervention, support, and conflict de-escalation strategies to eliminate or minimize the need for the use of any seclusion, and chemical, mechanical and physical restraint.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-513/article-1/rule-2/513-iac-1-2-3/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-35. Special Education. https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-35/
• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-36. High-ability students.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-36/

• Indiana Administrative Code 511 7. Special education. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-511/article-7/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-5-14. Career awareness and career development education; Indiana career explorer program and standards pilot program; use of alternative Internet-based systems and standards.

This is an internet-based system that provides students with career and college planning resources. The purpose is to educate students on the importance of their career choices, prepare them for the realities of the work environment, and instill work values that will be beneficial for them in the future.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-5/section-20-30-5-14/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-9-6. Bilingual-bicultural program.

The state superintendent shall carry out a bilingual-bicultural program for the improvement of educational opportunities for non-English dominant students.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-9/section-20-30-9-6/

Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-14-1. Development of community service ethic.

Each school corporation may encourage the development of a community service ethic among high school students in grades nine through twelve in the school corporation by offering each student the opportunity for the student to earn academic credit toward the student’s minimum graduation requirements.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-14/section-20-30-14-1/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-1-1. Policy.

Provide equal, non-segregated, and non-discriminatory educational opportunities and facilities for all, regardless of race, creed, national origin, color, or sex.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-1/section-20-33-1-1/

 Students and teachers may not be discriminated against in their enrollment and hiring process, respectfully, based on race, creed, color, gender, or national origin.

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-1-6. Segregation prohibited; teachers.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-1/section-20-33-1-6/

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-1-4. Segregation prohibited; pupils.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-1/section-20-33-1-4/

 Indiana Code Annotated § 20-31-6-2. Cultural competency component of the school plan.

In developing a school’s plan, the committee shall consider methods to improve the cultural competency of the school’s teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students. The committee will incorporate culturally appropriate strategies for increasing educational opportunities and educational performance for each group in the school’s plan.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-31/chapter-6/section-20-31-6-2/

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers, Staff, Administrators, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-5-34.2. Bullying prevention; training for employees and volunteers.

A school corporation shall provide training to the school corporation’s employees and volunteers who have direct, ongoing contact with students concerning the school’s bullying prevention and reporting policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-34-2/

Indiana Code Annotated § 5-2-10.1-11. School safety specialist training and certification program.

The curriculum for this program must include training in; 

• identifying, preventing, and intervening in bullying
• identifying, preventing, and intervening in criminal organization activity
  • identifying, preventing, and intervening in actions by a person who is present on school property with the intent to harm another person

  https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-5/article-2/chapter-10-1/section-5-2-10-1-11/

  Indiana Code Annotated § 5-2-10.1-12 Safe school committees to be established.

• The committee will develop a plan and policy for their school addressing issues like professional development needs for faculty and staff.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-5/article-2/chapter-10-1/section-5-2-10-1-12/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-5-32.4. Autism information distribution to noncertificated employees.

• The Department of Education shall create a document explaining aspects of autism including behaviors that students with autism may exhibit, which will be distributed to noncertified employees.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-32-4/

Indiana Code Annotated § 12-21-5-2. Education and treatment of children with an emotional disturbance; provision of training on suicide prevention.

• The division is responsible for The provision of a mental health first aid training program including providing information and guidance to local school corporations on the development of evidence-based programs for basic or in-service courses and training for teachers on the prevention of suicide and recognizing signs of suicidal ideation.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-12/article-21/chapter-5/section-12-21-5-2/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-28-3-6 Youth suicide awareness and prevention training. 

Each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school will require all teachers and other appropriate school employees to attend or participate in at least two hours of evidence-based in-service youth suicide awareness and prevention training every three school years.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-28/chapter-3/section-20-28-3-6/

 Indiana Code Annotated §

• 20-28-3-3. Guidelines for teacher education. The guidelines will include courses and materials to allow an individual to teach in various environments and develop cultural competency.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-28/chapter-3/section-20-28-3-3/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-31-6-2. Cultural competency component of the school plan.

• The committee will recommend areas in which additional professional development is necessary to increase cultural competency in the school’s educational environment.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-31/chapter-6/section-20-31-6-2/

Who does this protect? Staff and Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-33-8-13.5. Discipline rules prohibiting bullying are required.

States that support services will be provided for the victim and bullying education for the bully.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-33/chapter-8/section-20-33-8-13-5/

 Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-5-1. Department duties.

The department of education, in cooperation with the department of child services, the department of correction, and the division of mental health and addiction, will work on plans to provide students with comprehensive mental health services, treatment services, early interventions, etc.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-5/section-20-19-5-1/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-5-6 Good citizenship instruction.

This only applies to public schools. The school curriculum will integrate instruction that stresses the importance of traits such as, respecting authority, being honest, respecting others, always doing your best, etc. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-5/section-20-30-5-6/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-30-5-5.5. Bullying prevention; student instruction.

Each public school shall provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction focusing on bullying prevention for all students in grades one through twelve.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-30/chapter-5/section-20-30-5-5-5/

Indiana Code 20-26-5-34.4 Child suicide awareness and prevention policy.

Each school corporation shall adopt a policy addressing measures intended to increase child suicide awareness and prevention.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-34-4/

Indiana Code Annotated § 12-21-5-2. Education and treatment of children with an emotional disturbance; provision of training on suicide prevention.

The division is responsible for the planning, research, and development of programs and methods for the education and treatment of children with emotional disturbance.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-12/article-21/chapter-5/section-12-21-5-2/

Indiana Administrative Code 513 1-2-3 Use of behavior intervention and support.

A school shall use prevention, positive behavior intervention, support, and conflict de-escalation strategies to eliminate or minimize the need for the use of any seclusion, and chemical, mechanical and physical restraint.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-513/article-1/rule-2/513-iac-1-2-3/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-5-32. Involvement of parents with discipline plan; department’s model discipline plan.

The governing body of each school corporation shall work with parents to develop and review periodically an evidence-based plan for improving student behavior and discipline in the school corporation after receiving a model plan developed by the department.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-32/

Indiana Code Annotated § 5-2-10.1-12 Safe school committees to be established.

The committee will develop a plan and policy for their school addressing issues like;

• Encouraging involvement by the community and students
• Encourage the development of relationships between students and school faculty and staff

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-5/article-2/chapter-10-1/section-5-2-10-1-12/

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-6.2-1. Establishment of program.

The program must allow a school to voluntarily request from the department an assessment to evaluate and improve parental involvement in the school.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-6-2/

Indiana Administrative Code § 512 IAC 5-3-1. Purpose.

The purpose of the family-friendly school program is to focus on addressing the academic, physical, physical, emotional, and social needs of students while providing the needed resources and fostering the active engagement of families through schools and the community.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-512/article-5/rule-3/512-iac-5-3-1/

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Indiana schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.

• Indiana Administrative Code 511 4-1.5-7 Crisis intervention plans.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-511/article-4/rule-1-5/511-iac-4-1-5-7/

• Indiana Administrative Code 511 6.1-2-2.5 Safe schools and emergency preparedness planning.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/indiana/title-511/article-6-1/rule-1-2/511-iac-6-1-2-2-5/

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-19-3-14 Establishment and responsibilities of the division of school building physical security and safety.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-19/chapter-3/section-20-19-3-14/

Schools in Indiana may employ school resource officers to help with the development of school safety plans, protect against outside threats, etc. 

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-18.2-2. Employment of school resource officer; duties.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-18-2/section-20-26-18-2-2/

• Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-18.2-1. “School resource officer”

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-18-2/section-20-26-18-2-1/

Indiana Code Annotated § 35-47-9-1. Exemptions from chapter.

States that a school resource officer and an individual who has been authorized by a school board or the body that administers a charter school can possess weapons in school.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-35/article-47/chapter-9/section-35-47-9-1/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is no current policy surrounding Social Inclusion in the state of Indiana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Indiana Code Annotated § 20-26-5-33. Programs concerning consequences of sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials through digital media.

Schools may offer classes, programs, or instruction on the effects of sharing sexually explicit or suggestive content through digital media.

https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2021/title-20/article-26/chapter-5/section-20-26-5-33/

Indiana Academic Standards Course Framework; Digital Citizenship.

This course taught to students in middle school, prepares them to use computer technology effectively and appropriately.

https://www.in.gov/doe/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Indiana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relations in Indiana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School