Indiana board adopts student-centered accountability rule, sets transitional 'year zero' for 2025–26

The Indiana State Board of Education voted unanimously on March 4 to adopt LSA 25-370, a new statewide school accountability rule that shifts the state to a student-centered, "N of 1" model and sets a non-punitive transition year for 2025–26.

The rule, developed under direction of the 2025 General Assembly, changes how schools earn points by counting indicators for each student — combining academic mastery, measurable skills and career/credential experiences — rather than relying primarily on a single indicator or aggregate pass rates. Board members voted to adopt the rule and directed the Indiana Department of Education to complete approvals and publish the final rule.

Why it matters: Department presenters and stakeholder groups said the model is intended to provide clearer signals to families and educators, recognize multiple pathways to postsecondary success and better include students who previously lacked ways to demonstrate progress. The department announced that letter grades for the 2025–26 school year will be released as a "year zero" (informational only) to allow districts time to adjust; the department will incrementally tighten scoring thresholds as performance improves.

What the rule does: Department staff explained several key elements of the final model. It keeps primary literacy a priority in early grades and adds a menu of success indicators across grade spans. For high school, the department separated graduation rate as a standalone indicator representing 10% of a school’s grade‑12 score and likewise set the state assessment (currently the SAT) as a separate component representing 10% of grade‑12 scoring; diploma seals and credentials of value are central to earning points under the new framework. The department also added an optional civic literacy indicator (an end‑of‑course U.S. government assessment) and provided scaffolding for newcomer students and those taking alternate assessments so more students generate points toward school scores.

Support and stakeholder input: The rule drew broad public comment and visible support from school leaders, teachers and superintendents at the meeting. "At its core, accountability exists for one reason, and that's for our students," said Jeff Buts, executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, during public comment. Representatives for principals and teacher groups also praised the model’s clarity and emphasis on growth alongside proficiency.

Department rationale and examples: Department presenters walked the board through student vignettes showing how points accrue across grade spans and explained that the model is built on 18 indicators spanning K–12. Presenters emphasized the state's longitudinal data system and said the approach aims to count every student’s progress rather than letting some students be "washed out" of aggregate measures. "Every student — the school generates points for every student," the department presenter said, summarizing the N‑of‑1 approach.

Vote and next steps: The board adopted LSA 25-370 by unanimous roll-call vote and directed the department to pursue required approvals and a federal waiver process. The department plans to publish a one‑page summary and technical materials for schools, roll out data to districts before public release of letter grades, and provide a transition timeline to allow schools and families to understand results before any formal consequences are applied.

Funding and timeline notes: Meeting remarks also highlighted a separate $15 million career coaching grant awarded to roughly 21 organizations; the department said that release materials (including a two‑page one‑pager) and technical guidance will accompany the rule to help schools implement the changes.

The board adjourned after additional presentations from XQ and several school leaders and students who described local redesign and work‑based learning initiatives. The department will notify stakeholders of the exact timeline for the federal waiver submission and for when year‑zero letter grades will be publicly released.