Ind. Code ch. 20-18-2

in effect

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-1 Application

Sec. 1. The definitions in this chapter apply throughout this title. [2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-1.5 "ADA"

Sec. 1.5. (a) "ADA", for purposes of this title (except IC 20-23-4-19 and IC 20-45-7), means the average number of pupils in daily attendance in the school corporation, determined in accordance with the rules established by the state board. (b) "ADA", for purposes of IC 20-23-4-19, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-23-4-19. (c) "ADA", for purposes of IC 20-45-7, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-45-7-3. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 6-1.1-19-1(b).] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.72.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-1.7 "Appropriate vehicle"

Sec. 1.7. (a) "Appropriate vehicle" means a vehicle that: (1) is owned by a school corporation or contracted for by the school corporation; and (2) has a seating capacity of not more than fifteen (15) passengers, including the driver. (b) The term includes a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, minivan, or van. As added by P.L.216-2021, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.168-2022, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2 "Average daily membership"; ADM

Sec. 2. "ADM", except as otherwise provided by law, refers to current ADM under IC 20-43-4 for the school year ending in the current calendar year. [2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.73; P.L.205-2013, SEC.220; P.L.217-2017, SEC.91.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.3 "Career specialist permit"

Sec. 2.3. "Career specialist permit" refers to a permit described in 511 IAC 16-4-6 or its successor rule. As added by P.L.170-2018, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.4 "Chronically absent"

Sec. 2.4. "Chronically absent" means missing ten percent (10%) or more of a school year for any reason. As added by P.L.208-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.5 "Charter school"

Sec. 2.5. "Charter school" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-24-1-4. [2006 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.74.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.6 Repealed

As added by P.L.246-2013, SEC.2. Repealed by P.L.250-2023, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.7 "Curricular materials"

Sec. 2.7. "Curricular materials" means systematically organized material designed to provide a specific level of instruction in a subject matter category, including: (1) books; (2) hardware that will be consumed, accessed, or used by a single student during a semester or school year; (3) computer software; and (4) digital content. As added by P.L.286-2013, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.8 "Criminal organization"

Sec. 2.8. "Criminal organization" has the meaning set forth in IC 35-45-9-1. As added by P.L.190-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.25-2016, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-2.9 "Current ADM"

Sec. 2.9. "Current ADM" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-43-1-10. As added by P.L.205-2013, SEC.221.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-3 "Department"

Sec. 3. "Department" refers to the department of education established by IC 20-19-3-1. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-18.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-3.5 "Dyslexia"

Sec. 3.5. "Dyslexia" means a specific learning disability that: (1) is neurological in origin and characterized by: (A) difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition; and (B) poor spelling and decoding abilities; (2) typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction; (3) may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and (4) may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40. As added by P.L.215-2015, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-4 "Elementary school"

Sec. 4. "Elementary school" means any school that provides instruction for any of the following: (1) Kindergarten. (2) Grade 1. (3) Grade 2. (4) Grade 3. (5) Grade 4. (6) Grade 5. (7) Grade 6. (8) Grade 7. (9) Grade 8. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-15.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.287-2019, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-4.5 "Fall count"

Sec. 4.5. "Fall count" refers to the fall count of eligible pupils under IC 20-43-4. As added by P.L.205-2013, SEC.222. Amended by P.L.217-2017, SEC.92; P.L.214-2025, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-5 "Governing body"

Sec. 5. "Governing body" means: (1) a board of school commissioners; (2) a metropolitan board of education; (3) a board of trustees; or (4) any other board or commission charged by law with the responsibility of administering the affairs of a school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-6.1-1-3; 20-10.1-1-5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-6 Expired

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-16-1.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.242-2017, SEC.1; P.L.192-2018, SEC.2. Expired 7-1-2022 by P.L.192-2018, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-6.3 "Graduation pathway requirement"

Sec. 6.3. "Graduation pathway requirement" refers to requirements established by the state board under IC 20-32-4-1.5(b)(1). As added by P.L.242-2017, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.150-2024, SEC.2; P.L.214-2025, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-6.5 "Habitual truant"

Sec. 6.5. "Habitual truant" refers to a student who has been absent ten (10) days or more from school within a school year without being excused or without being absent under a parental request that has been filed with the school. As added by P.L.246-2013, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.250-2023, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-7 "High school"

Sec. 7. "High school" means any combination of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-16.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-8 "Indiana physician"

Sec. 8. "Indiana physician" means an individual who holds an unlimited license to practice medicine in Indiana. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-8.1-1-14; 20-9.1-1-10.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-9 "Individualized education program"

Sec. 9. "Individualized education program" means a written statement developed for a child by a group that includes: (1) a representative of the school corporation or public agency responsible for educating the child; (2) the child's teacher; (3) the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; (4) if appropriate, the child; and (5) if the provision of services for a child with a serious emotional disability is considered, a mental health professional provided by: (A) the community mental health center (as described in IC 12-29); or (B) a provider (as defined in IC 12-7-2.1-267(5)); serving the community in which the child resides; and that describes the special education to be provided to the child. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-1-6-1(5).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.99-2007, SEC.161; P.L.145-2026, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-10 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-16-2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Repealed by P.L.242-2017, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-11 "Legal settlement"

Sec. 11. "Legal settlement" of a student means the student's status with respect to the school corporation that has the responsibility to allow the student to attend its local public schools without the payment of tuition, or to pay transfer tuition under IC 20-26-11 if the student attends school in a local public school of another school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-1-7.1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-12 "Nonpublic school"

Sec. 12. (a) "Nonpublic school" means a school that is not: (1) maintained by a school corporation; or (2) a charter school. (b) The term includes a private school or parochial school. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-3.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.74-2026, SEC.15.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-13 "Parent"

Sec. 13. "Parent" means: (1) the natural father or mother of a child; (2) in the case of adoption, the adopting father or mother of a child; (3) if custody of the child has been awarded in a court proceeding to someone other than the mother or father, the court appointed guardian or custodian of the child; or (4) if the parents of a child are divorced, the parent to whom the divorce decree or modification awards custody or control with respect to a right or obligation under this title. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-8.1-1-3; 20-10.1-1-9.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-13.5 "Political subdivision"

Sec. 13.5. "Political subdivision" has the meaning set forth in IC 36-1-2-13. [Pre-2006 Recodification Citation: 20-26-5-21(c).] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.75.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-14 "Principal"

Sec. 14. "Principal" refers to the chief administrative officer of a school. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-8.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-14.3 "Property tax"

Sec. 14.3. "Property tax" refers to an ad valorem property tax. [2006 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.76.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-14.5 "Public education corporation"

Sec. 14.5. "Public education corporation" refers to the Indianapolis public education corporation established by IC 20-25.3-3-1. As added by P.L.101-2026, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-15 "Public school"

Sec. 15. "Public school": (1) for purposes of this title (other than IC 20-33-1), means a school maintained by a school corporation; and (2) for purposes of IC 20-33-1, means: (A) a school maintained by a school corporation; or (B) a preschool, an elementary school, or a high school maintained by a state educational institution under IC 20-24.5 or another law. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.198.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-15.5 "School based enterprise"

Sec. 15.5. "School based enterprise" means a program that: (1) includes interactions with customers or clients; (2) is a career based course; and (3) includes ongoing business training provided by a teacher. As added by P.L.187-2021, SEC.59 and P.L.216-2021, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-16 "School corporation"

Sec. 16. (a) "School corporation", for purposes of this title (except IC 20-20.5-9, IC 20-26-1 through IC 20-26-5, IC 20-26-7, IC 20-26-7.1, IC 20-28-11.5, IC 20-30-8, IC 20-30-16, IC 20-43, and IC 20-50), means a public school corporation established by Indiana law. The term includes a: (1) school city; (2) school town; (3) consolidated school corporation; (4) metropolitan school district; (5) township school corporation; (6) county school corporation; (7) united school corporation; or (8) community school corporation. (b) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-26-1 through IC 20-26-5, IC 20-26-7, and IC 20-26-7.1, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-26-2-4. (c) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-20.5-9, IC 20-26.5, IC 20-30-8, and IC 20-50, includes a charter school (as defined in IC 20-24-1-4). (d) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-43, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-43-1-23. (e) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-28-11.5, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-28-11.5-3. (f) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-35, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-35-1-6. (g) "School corporation", for purposes of IC 20-30-16, has the meaning set forth in IC 20-30-16-4. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-6.1-1-5; 20-10.1-1-1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.77; P.L.90-2011, SEC.3; P.L.6-2012, SEC.123; P.L.190-2013, SEC.5; P.L.233-2015, SEC.30; P.L.86-2018, SEC.172; P.L.190-2018, SEC.1; P.L.270-2019, SEC.1; P.L.155-2019, SEC.6; P.L.211-2019, SEC.16; P.L.74-2026, SEC.16.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-17 "School year"

Sec. 17. "School year" means the period: (1) beginning after June 30 of each year; and (2) ending before July 1 of the following year; except when a different period is specified for a particular purpose. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-2-1(a).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-17.5 "Science of reading"

Sec. 17.5. "Science of reading" means a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically based research that: (1) requires the explicit, systematic inclusion of the following five (5) essential components: (A) Phonemic awareness. (B) Phonics. (C) Fluency. (D) Vocabulary. (E) Comprehension; (2) is supported by evidence that informs: (A) how proficient reading and writing develop; (B) why some students have difficulty with reading and writing; and (C) how to effectively assess and teach reading and writing to improve outcomes for all students; and (3) has a demonstrated record of success, and when implemented, leads to increased student competency in the areas of: (A) phonemic awareness; (B) phonics; (C) reading fluency; (D) vocabulary development; (E) oral language skills; (F) reading comprehension; and (G) writing and spelling. As added by P.L.243-2023, SEC.1 and P.L.245-2023, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18 "Secondary school"

Sec. 18. "Secondary school" means a high school. [2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.127-2016, SEC.3; P.L.74-2026, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18.1 "Secretary of education"

Sec. 18.1. "Secretary of education" refers to the secretary of education appointed by the governor under IC 20-19-1-1.1. As added by P.L.43-2021, SEC.40.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18.3 "Special curriculum"

Sec. 18.3. "Special curriculum" means a course of study embracing subject matter or a teaching methodology that is not generally offered to students of the same age or grade level in the same school corporation. The term does not include: (1) a course of study or a part of a course of study designed solely for special education or limited English language proficiency students; or (2) a course of study or part of a course of study in which any student is unable to participate because of the student's limited financial resources. As added by P.L.282-2013, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18.5 "Spring count"

Sec. 18.5. "Spring count" refers to the spring count of eligible pupils under IC 20-43-4. As added by P.L.205-2013, SEC.223. Amended by P.L.217-2017, SEC.93; P.L.108-2019, SEC.207.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18.7 "State accredited nonpublic school"

Sec. 18.7. "State accredited nonpublic school" means a nonpublic school that has voluntarily become accredited under IC 20-31-4.1. As added by P.L.92-2020, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-18.8 "State accredited school"

Sec. 18.8. "State accredited school" means a public or nonpublic school that is accredited under IC 20-31-4.1. As added by P.L.92-2020, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-19 "State board"

Sec. 19. "State board" refers to the Indiana state board of education established by IC 20-19-2-2.1. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-6.1-1-1; 20-10.1-1-17.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.224-2015, SEC.2; P.L.214-2025, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-20 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-6.1-1-6; 20-10.1-1-7.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.219-2017, SEC.14; P.L.8-2019, SEC.14. Repealed by P.L.43-2021, SEC.41.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-20.3 "State tuition support"

Sec. 20.3. "State tuition support" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-43-1-25. [2006 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.78.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-20.7 "Statewide assessment program"

Sec. 20.7. "Statewide assessment program" refers to the Indiana's Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN) program under IC 20-32-5.1. As added by P.L.242-2017, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.214-2025, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-21 "Superintendent"

Sec. 21. "Superintendent" means the chief administrative officer of a school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citations: 20-6.1-1-7; 20-10.1-1-6.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-21.5 Repealed

[2006 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.2-2006, SEC.79. Repealed by P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.467.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-22 "Teacher"

Sec. 22. (a) "Teacher" means a professional person whose position in a school corporation requires certain educational preparation and licensing and whose primary responsibility is the instruction of students. (b) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), for purposes of IC 20-28, the term includes the following: (1) A superintendent who holds a license under IC 20-28-5. (2) A principal. (3) A teacher. (4) A librarian. (5) A school counselor. (6) A school psychologist. (c) For purposes of IC 20-43-16, the term means a professional person whose position with a: (1) school corporation; (2) special education cooperative established under IC 20-35-5; (3) cooperative career and technical education program; (4) special education program established by an interlocal agreement under IC 36-1-7; (5) joint program agreement established under IC 20-26-10; or (6) charter school; requires a license (as defined in IC 20-28-1-7) and whose primary responsibility is the instruction of students in the classroom or virtual classroom. (d) "Teacher" for purposes of IC 20-28-9-26 and IC 20-28-9-27, means a classroom teacher licensed under IC 20-28-5 who provides instruction to students for at least fifty percent (50%) of the teacher's work day. (e) For purposes of IC 20-28-9-28, the term includes an adjunct teacher, school counselor, and permanent substitute teacher employed by a school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-1-8.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.126; P.L.90-2011, SEC.4; P.L.167-2013, SEC.1; P.L.43-2014, SEC.1; P.L.213-2015, SEC.151; P.L.219-2015, SEC.1; P.L.217-2017, SEC.94; P.L.165-2021, SEC.148; P.L.246-2023, SEC.24; P.L.213-2025, SEC.158.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-23 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.1-1-12.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.73-2011, SEC.2. Repealed by P.L.286-2013, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-24 "Transfer"

Sec. 24. "Transfer" with respect to a student refers to the situation in which the student, for all or part of the student's education, attends school in a public school of a school corporation other than the school corporation in which the student has legal settlement. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-1-7.2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-25 "Transferor corporation"; "transferee corporation"

Sec. 25. "Transferor corporation" and "transferee corporation" refer, respectively, in transfer situations to the school corporation of a student's legal settlement and the school corporation where the student attends school. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-1-7.2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-26 "Transferred student"

Sec. 26. (a) "Transferred student" means a student attending school in a school corporation in which the student does not have legal settlement. (b) For purposes of subsection (a), a student is considered attending school in a school corporation when: (1) the student is confined by a disability to a place outside the school corporation's facilities and receives instruction from school corporation personnel; (2) the student attends a special education school or career and technical education school in which the school corporation of the student's legal settlement provides cooperatively a portion of the cost; or (3) the student is in another similar situation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-1-7.2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.234-2007, SEC.86.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-26.5 "Truancy prevention measure"

Sec. 26.5. "Truancy prevention measure" means an action designed to: (1) address truancy before a child becomes a habitual truant; and (2) minimize the need for: (A) referrals to a voluntary truancy prevention program; or (B) reports to a juvenile court. As added by P.L.125-2024, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 20-18-2-27 "Workplace specialist license"

Sec. 27. "Workplace specialist license" refers to a workplace specialist license described in 511 IAC 17-1-2 or its successor rule. As added by P.L.275-2019, SEC.1.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026