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 innovativeeducation 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 establishedfor funding special experimental demonstration projects that involvethe innovative use of teachers, methods, systems, materials, orprograms for preschool, elementary school, or secondary schoolstudents that may have a special value in promoting effectiveeducational programs in Indiana. The state board shall administer thefund.
(b) The fund may be used only for projects created under thischapter.
(c) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid frommoney in the fund.
(d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund notcurrently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the samemanner as other public funds may be invested. Interest that accruesfrom these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
(e) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does notrevert 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 thosespecified in this chapter;
(2) establish application deadlines;
(3) evaluate projects;
(4) provide for the dissemination of project plans to allinterested 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 schoolcorporations submitting project proposals that best carry out thepurposes 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 mustdo the following:
(1) Provide for curricular and instructional strategy and use of
materials responsive to individual educational needs andlearning styles.
(2) Provide for the development of basic and applied learningskills; multicultural education; physical, emotional, and mentalhealth education; consumer economics; career education; orskills in the arts, humanities, and physical, natural, and socialsciences.
(3) Use community resources or communications media.
(4) Provide staff development.
(5) Provide for ongoing and annual evaluation of goals andobjectives.
(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 thefollowing:
(1) A principal-teacher or career teacher component asdescribed in section 7 of this chapter.
(2) A counselor-teacher component as described in section 8 ofthis chapter.
(3) Cooperative efforts with community agencies.
(4) Advanced or accelerated programs for students with specialabilities.
(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 beforethe 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; hiringprocedures; duties
Sec. 7. (a) A project may include a principal-teacher or careerteacher component. The principal-teacher or career teacher may notbe the exclusive teacher for students assigned to the principal-teacheror career teacher but shall serve the function of developing andimplementing a student's overall learning program. Theprincipal-teacher or career teacher may be responsible for regularclassroom 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 teachermust be a teacher licensed under IC 20-28-5.
(c) The governing body of the school corporation shall establishprocedures for hiring individuals for the positions ofprincipal-teacher and career teacher. The governing body has soleauthority to hire these individuals. An individual is not entitled toemployment in the position based on seniority or order ofemployment in the school corporation. The principal-teacher andcareer teacher shall be employed on a twelve (12) month basis withvacation time negotiated individually with the governing body.
(d) The principal-teacher or career teacher is responsible for thefollowing:
(1) The overall education and learning plan of students assignedto the principal-teacher or career teacher. The principal-teacheror career teacher shall design a plan with the student, parents,and other faculty to maximize the learning potential andmaturation level of each student.
(2) Measuring the proficiency of the students assigned to theprincipal-teacher or career teacher and assisting other staff inidentifying student needs and making appropriate educationaland subject groupings.
(3) If part of the project's plan, taking responsibility for theparent and early childhood education of students assigned to theprincipal-teacher or career teacher.
(4) Designing and being responsible for program componentsthat meet special learning needs of high potential and talentedstudents.
(5) Coordinating the ongoing, year-to-year learning program forstudents 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 thestudents assigned to the counselor-teacher.
(b) A counselor-teacher must be a licensed counselor underIC 20-28-5.
(c) The governing body of the school corporation shall establishprocedures for hiring counselors for the position ofcounselor-teacher. The governing body has sole authority to hire thecounselors. An individual is not entitled to employment in theposition based on seniority or order of employment in the schoolcorporation.
(d) The counselor-teacher shall provide guidance and counselingservices to students assigned to the counselor-teacher. This includesworking with individual students, groups of students, and families.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.