SB 257 is authored by Senator Spencer Deery. It would require teachers to base history or social studies instruction on the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States. It prohibits teachers from teaching that the U.S. national identity or culture has been established by racial identity or racial discrimination, gender identity or gender discrimination, victimization, class struggle, a hierarchy of privileges, or systemic exclusion. It would apply to all schools that teach these subjects. However, the punishment —license suspension or removal—would apply only to public school teachers. 

SB 257 is not local in origin. It is based on data that was not gathered in Indiana. 

It is a bill in search of a problem. 

ICPE believes that all children learn best in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. We support historically and scientifically accurate and inclusive curricula, as well as local control over educational materials. This bill is a threat to this endeavor and could cast a chill over teaching and learning for all children—not just those who have been historically marginalized. 

In short, here are our issues with SB 257. 

• Creates a culture of fear in our schools, silencing teachers.  
• Students need to learn the truth in history, both the good and the bad. 
• This bill is in search of a problem. It is based on data NOT from Indiana.
• In a session in which legislators are trying to shorten education code, this bill adds more code and creates more work for schools. 

Reach out to the Senate Education and Career Development Committee before Wednesday, February 12th at 1:30pm and tell them to vote NO on SB 257.

Senate Education and Career Development Committee Members

Sen. Jeff Raatz, Chair (R) District 27 – Email: s27@iga.in.gov 800-382-9467
Sen. Greg Goode, Ranking Member (R) District 38 – Email: s38@iga.in.gov
Sen. Brian Buchanan (R) District 7 – Email: s7@iga.in.gov
Sen. Gary Byrne (R) District 47 – Email: s47@iga.in.gov
Sen. Spencer Deery (R ) District 23 – Email: s23@iga.in.gov
Sen. Stacey Donato (R ) District 18 – Email: s18@iga.in.gov
Sen. Tyler Johnson (R ) District 14 – Email: s14@iga.in.gov
Sen. Linda Rogers (R ) District 11 – Email: s11@iga.in.gov
Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R) District 48 – Email: s48@iga.in.gov
Sen. J.D. Ford, Ranking Minority Member (D) District 29 – Email: s29@iga.in.gov
Sen. Andrea Hunley (D) District 46 – Email: s46@iga.in.gov
Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D) District 30 – Email: s30@iga.in.gov
Sen. Shelli Yoder (D ) District 40 – Email: s40@iga.in.gov

To email all at once, copy and paste the addresses into the “To” field of your email.

s27@iga.in.gov
s38@iga.in.gov
s7@iga.in.gov
s47@iga.in.gov
s23@iga.in.gov
s18@iga.in.gov
s14@iga.in.gov
s11@iga.in.gov
s48@iga.in.gov
s29@iga.in.gov
s46@iga.in.gov
s30@iga.in.gov
s40@iga.in.gov