Text with Chalkbeat for updates on the 2024 legislative session in Indiana

The pillars inside the Indiana Statehouse
A view inside the Indiana Statehouse. The 2024 legislative session begins in Indiana on January 8. (Image Ideas / Getty Images)

The 2024 legislative session is about to begin in Indiana, and lawmakers are looking to address literacy, absenteeism, cell phones in schools, and more. And Chalkbeat Indiana has a new way to keep you updated about all that and more.

We’re launching Session Syllabus, a texting service that helps you stay in the know on big education issues and laws moving through the legislature this year.

Over the last two years, Indiana lawmakers have discussed and passed sweeping laws on what students learn and how their teachers teach — and education is once again likely to be at the top of the agenda.

Sign up by submitting your phone number in the form below to get texts about once per week from Chalkbeat with updates on key legislation affecting schools and students. Or you can text the word SESSION to (317) 648-5331 to sign up. You can also text us back with your questions about bills, issues, and the legislative process and we’ll try and track down the answer for you.

We also offer text updates from Indianapolis Public Schools meetings — sign up for those here.

Aleksandra Appleton covers Indiana education policy and writes about K-12 schools across the state. Contact her at aappleton@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

In a turn from previous board sentiment, members expressed interest in making FAFSA a graduation requirement. If a new policy is adopted, the district will be eligible for a state grant.

The state projects the district’s enrollment will decline by roughly 10% over the next decade.

The 18-year-old’s lawyer says his case is a “perfect storm” caused by increased immigration enforcement through the Memphis Safe Task Force and Trump-era federal policy changes.

State Sen. John Liu suggested the city could phase in smaller class sizes over four years instead of two. Any changes to the 2022 mandate are likely to spark debate in Albany.

The announcement at a Tuesday meeting comes as substantial changes for IPS are on the horizon that will dilute the elected school board’s power.

Supporters framed the bill as a money-saver for families. “I’m raising two daughters right now, and I think every $5 you can keep in your pocket is important,” one state lawmaker said.