During the Indiana Coalition for Public Education’s (ICPE) Day of Action, Indiana residents gathered at the Statehouse to advocate for public education.
The event brought together educators, parents and community advocates to oppose policies they believe undermine public schools. The $5 Billion Bake Sale, which highlighted how schools often have to scrape together funding, served as a pointed critique of what advocates see as chronic underfunding of public education. Speakers raised concerns about private school voucher funding, charter school expansions and other legislative priorities. Organizers emphasized the need to protect equitable access to quality education for all students in Indiana.
Jennifer McCormick, a prominent advocate for public education and former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, has been vocal about the potential consequences of diverting funds away from public schools. She emphasized the importance of equitable funding and the role of public education in fostering strong communities.
“Public education, all of us in here know, it is our democracy,” McCormick said. “It is the foundation of everything a democracy stands for. We include, we accept diversity, equity and inclusion.”
McCormick encouraged participants to call their representatives to advocate for public education, citing the concern for Hoosier children.
“It’s our tax dollars, but more importantly, we have over a million kids who are impacted, so we need advocacy,” McCormick said.
Carrington Williams, a sophomore from Cathedral High School, is one student who says their education would be greatly impacted by changes to public schools.
“Some of us might think that we don’t need to worry about politics right now because it doesn’t affect us, but that’s far from the truth,” Williams said. “Education is the gateway to countless opportunities. It shapes our future, opens doors to careers and empowers us to make informed decisions.”
Several bills have been introduced in the 2025 Indiana legislative session that significantly impact public education, prompting concern among educators and advocates.
Senate Bill 255: Education matters
Senate Bill 255 proposes replacing the existing Choice Scholarship (voucher) and Education Scholarship Account programs with the “Funding Students First” Grant Program, a two-year pilot initiative.
This program would allow parents of students, including those who are homeschooled or attending private schools — to apply for state-funded grants of approximately $7,000 per student, redirecting funds traditionally allocated to public schools.
Proponents argue this approach empowers parents with greater educational choice and flexibility for their children. However, opponents contend that it undermines public education by diverting essential funds away from public schools, potentially leading to their gradual decline. Critics also express concern that such measures align with economist Milton Friedman’s vision of minimizing state involvement in education, which could result in public schools being left with diminished resources and support.
Senate Bill 143: Expansion of home school funding
Senate Bill 143 seeks to broaden the scope of a 2021 law that provided state funds to unaccredited homeschools for special education students.
The original program, which allocated $10 million, saw limited participation, with only 431 students enrolling in its second year. The proposed expansion would make these funds available to all homeschool students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Supporters believe this expansion offers equitable access to educational resources for homeschooling families. In contrast, detractors argue it represents a “foot in the door” strategy to divert public funds to private education, further eroding the public school system’s financial stability.
House Bill 1002: Various education matters
House Bill 1002 aims to remove and repeal various existing education provisions deemed outdated or redundant.
While the bill’s proponents assert that streamlining these regulations will reduce bureaucratic burdens and enhance operational efficiency within schools, opponents caution that eliminating certain provisions without careful consideration could inadvertently compromise educational quality and oversight.
House Bill 1499: Education matters
House Bill 1499 mandates the State Board of Education to incorporate oral language development as a core component of specific literacy endorsements.
Advocates of the bill emphasize the importance of oral language skills in early literacy and overall academic success. However, critics raise concerns about the potential for increased mandates without corresponding support or resources for educators, which could strain already limited school budgets and staff capacities.
These legislative proposals have sparked a robust debate about the future of public education in Indiana, with stakeholders weighing the potential benefits of increased educational choice against the risks of undermining the public school system’s integrity and sustainability.
For more information about ICPE, visit indianacoalitionforpubliced.org.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
