House Bill 1309 Summary

• Establishes the office of educational equity within the Indiana Department of Education, administered by an associate superintendent designated by the state superintendent.

• Defines "disproportionality" as the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of student populations in educational programs based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, English proficiency, gender, or other factors.

• Requires the office to monitor and address disproportionality in student achievement, discipline, special education, alternative education, dropout prevention, high ability programs, and cultural competency.

• Directs the office to establish a data system to track disproportionality, create a statewide advisory board, develop notification processes for school corporations with disproportionality, and produce annual reports on equity issues.

• Requires school corporations to address any identified disproportionality through their strategic improvement and achievement plans under existing law.