A federal Teacher and School Leader grant was supposed to provide more than $5 million in bonuses over three years to Perry teachers until it was eliminated through Trump administration cuts targeting DEI.

Funding for schools increases around 2% each year, with additional dollars in 2026 earmarked for an expansion of the school voucher program.

In addition to striking down the elective course requirement, Indiana lawmakers passed bills related to math instruction, sex ed, and partisan affiliations in school board races.

The bill allows school board candidates to choose a party affiliation or remain independent or nonpartisan in general elections. Indiana lawmakers had previously tried but failed to pass such legislation.

Lawmakers need to pass a budget and bills affecting property taxes and education before the end of the legislative session in April.

The legislation sparking a teacher rally at the statehouse would cut school district revenue by an estimated $744 million over the next three years.

Indiana school districts would share property taxes with charter schools and only hold referendums during general elections under newest property tax plan.

Indiana schools use federal E-Rate funding and the state’s internet connectivity grant to support faster internet needed for technology use in the classroom.

Students who complete one of the state’s new graduation pathways will also be eligible for interviews with large companies.

For years, state lawmakers have debated proposals to give candidates the option of choosing a political affiliation.