For years, I have written about Indiana being one of a few states still charging parents textbook fees. I argued that it was an antiquated practice and that Indiana needed to join the ranks of other states. During this past legislative session, Indiana finally eliminated this cost for parents. Parents will no longer pay textbook fees.

Whenever new legislation is issued, guidance must be crafted on implementing the new policy. Recently, IDOE issued a Curricular Materials Frequently Asked Questions document to explain how school districts should implement this new policy.

The document states, “Moving forward, school corporations must provide their students with curricular materials at no cost – they are prohibited from renting curricular materials to students – however, school corporations will receive a curricular materials reimbursement amount.”

I also appreciated that this document defined what curricular materials are. When we say textbook fees, it isn’t always textbooks. For example, when I looked at an itemized copy of my twin sons’ textbook fees, this included a fee for IXL. IXL is a digital resource where students can practice academic skills in reading, science, social studies, and math. This guidance states that school districts can no longer slide bills for digital subscriptions to parents.

As the HEA 1001-2023, developed into what it is today, some superintendents had concerns about who would fit the bill. The document states that there will be “some level of reimbursement.”

If that reimbursement does not cover all curricular materials, school district leaders will have to make some tough choices when it comes to educating our children.