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HOUSE BILL No. 1140

Citations Affected: IC 20-30-5-0.2.

Synopsis: Teaching method. Requires the department of education to develop, not later than July 1, 2014, rules that require subject matter taught in schools, including science, history, or social studies, that cannot be verified by scientific empirical evidence, to allow for commonly held competing views, with an emphasis on critical analysis and reasoned dialogue. Specifies that the content of instructional material purchased relating to subject matter that is required to be taught must allow for commonly held competing views. Prohibits a teacher from advocating a particular position relating to subject matter that is not supported by verified scientific empirical evidence.

Effective: July 1, 2012.

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Thompson, Noe

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    January 9, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.

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PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

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    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

SOURCE: IC 20-30-5-0.2; (12)IN1140.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 20-30-5-0.2 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 0.2. (a) This section applies only to public schools.
    (b) The purpose of this section is to:
        (1) teach truth, which by a preponderance of the evidence is in accord with facts and reality; and
        (2) enhance skills in critical analysis and reasoned dialogue in students.
    (c) Not later than July 1, 2014, the department shall develop rules under IC 4-22-2 to require subject matter taught in schools, including science, history, or social studies, that cannot be verified by scientific empirical evidence, to allow for commonly held competing views, with an emphasis on critical analysis and reasoned dialogue.
     (d) This subsection applies to instructional material purchased by a school corporation after July 1, 2014. The content of instructional material purchased relating to subject matter that is

taught under subsection (c) must be consistent with the requirements provided in subsection (c), as determined by the department.
     (e) The rules developed under subsection (c) may not prohibit the discussion of any theory that is not supported by verified scientific empirical evidence because of its controversial nature or religious connotations. Testing and academic standards must be consistent with verified scientific empirical evidence, as determined by the department. A teacher may not advocate a particular position relating to subject matter that is not supported by verified scientific empirical evidence.
    (f) In developing the rules under this section, the department may take into consideration the grade level for which the subject matter is being taught.