CHAPTER 23. PROJECTS FOR INNOVATIVE EDUCATION
IC 20-20-23
Chapter 23. Projects for Innovative Education
IC 20-20-23-1
"Project"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "project" means an innovative
education project as described in this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-2
Fund; establishment; investments
Sec. 2. (a) The innovative education projects fund is established
for funding special experimental demonstration projects that involve
the innovative use of teachers, methods, systems, materials, or
programs for preschool, elementary school, or secondary school
students that may have a special value in promoting effective
educational programs in Indiana. The state board shall administer the
fund.
(b) The fund may be used only for projects created under this
chapter.
(c) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
money in the fund.
(d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public funds may be invested. Interest that accrues
from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
(e) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
revert to the state general fund.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-3
Rules; distribution of money for project proposals
Sec. 3. (a) The state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to:
(1) establish project guidelines and criteria in addition to those
specified in this chapter;
(2) establish application deadlines;
(3) evaluate projects;
(4) provide for the dissemination of project plans to all
interested school corporations in the state; and
(5) otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(b) The state board may select and distribute money to school
corporations submitting project proposals that best carry out the
purposes of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-4
Project funding; requisites
Sec. 4. For a project to receive funding under this chapter it must
do the following:
(1) Provide for curricular and instructional strategy and use of
materials responsive to individual educational needs and
learning styles.
(2) Provide for the development of basic and applied learning
skills; multicultural education; physical, emotional, and mental
health education; consumer economics; career education; or
skills in the arts, humanities, and physical, natural, and social
sciences.
(3) Use community resources or communications media.
(4) Provide staff development.
(5) Provide for ongoing and annual evaluation of goals and
objectives.
(6) Provide for parental involvement.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-5
Project components
Sec. 5. Projects under this chapter may include provisions for the
following:
(1) A principal-teacher or career teacher component as
described in section 7 of this chapter.
(2) A counselor-teacher component as described in section 8 of
this chapter.
(3) Cooperative efforts with community agencies.
(4) Advanced or accelerated programs for students with special
abilities.
(5) Use of volunteers.
(6) Flexible student attendance schedules.
(7) Early childhood and family education.
(8) Application of research findings.
(9) Use of paraprofessionals.
(10) Alternative criteria for high school graduation.
(11) Variable age and class size groupings.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-6
Child's participation; parental consent
Sec. 6. Consent from a student's parent must be obtained before
the student's involvement in a project.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-7
Principal-teachers; career teachers; qualifications; hiring
procedures; duties
Sec. 7. (a) A project may include a principal-teacher or career
teacher component. The principal-teacher or career teacher may not
be the exclusive teacher for students assigned to the principal-teacher
or career teacher but shall serve the function of developing and
implementing a student's overall learning program. The
principal-teacher or career teacher may be responsible for regular
classroom assignments as well as learning programs for other
students assigned to the principal-teacher or career teacher.
(b) A principal-teacher must be a principal and a career teacher
must be a teacher licensed under IC 20-28-5.
(c) The governing body of the school corporation shall establish
procedures for hiring individuals for the positions of
principal-teacher and career teacher. The governing body has sole
authority to hire these individuals. An individual is not entitled to
employment in the position based on seniority or order of
employment in the school corporation. The principal-teacher and
career teacher shall be employed on a twelve (12) month basis with
vacation time negotiated individually with the governing body.
(d) The principal-teacher or career teacher is responsible for the
following:
(1) The overall education and learning plan of students assigned
to the principal-teacher or career teacher. The principal-teacher
or career teacher shall design a plan with the student, parents,
and other faculty to maximize the learning potential and
maturation level of each student.
(2) Measuring the proficiency of the students assigned to the
principal-teacher or career teacher and assisting other staff in
identifying student needs and making appropriate educational
and subject groupings.
(3) If part of the project's plan, taking responsibility for the
parent and early childhood education of students assigned to the
principal-teacher or career teacher.
(4) Designing and being responsible for program components
that meet special learning needs of high potential and talented
students.
(5) Coordinating the ongoing, year-to-year learning program for
students assigned to the principal-teacher or career teacher.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-23-8
Counselor-teachers; qualifications; hiring procedures; duties
Sec. 8. (a) A project may include a counselor-teacher component.
The counselor-teacher may not be the exclusive teacher of the
students assigned to the counselor-teacher.
(b) A counselor-teacher must be a licensed counselor under
IC 20-28-5.
(c) The governing body of the school corporation shall establish
procedures for hiring counselors for the position of
counselor-teacher. The governing body has sole authority to hire the
counselors. An individual is not entitled to employment in the
position based on seniority or order of employment in the school
corporation.
(d) The counselor-teacher shall provide guidance and counseling
services to students assigned to the counselor-teacher. This includes
working with individual students, groups of students, and families.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.