Indiana Implements Universal School Choice for Hoosier Families

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Indiana will implement universal school choice following the passage of House Enrolled Act 1001, according to news releases from Gov. Mike Braun’s office. The legislation, signed on May 6, removes income caps entirely on the state’s Choice Scholarship Program to allow every Hoosier family to select the educational environment that fits their child’s needs.

Gov. Mike Braun visited Cardinal Ritter High School to mark the start of the academic year and celebrate the rollout of the universal eligibility policy, according to reporting by The Post and Mail.

In Indiana, parents are in charge of their kids’ education, and I’m proud to celebrate our first year of universal school choice for Hoosier families today at Cardinal Ritter. Indiana is empowering parents and helping students excel.

Gov. Mike Braun

Under the updated program rules, families can apply 90 percent of the portion of the state’s budget allotted for their children to attend their local public school to tuition at a non-public school, as noted by the Indiana Catholic Conference. The state’s non-public education network, including more than 400 non-public schools, including Indiana’s 175 Catholic schools, supported the legislative push alongside advocacy groups like the Indiana Non-Public Education Association.

Legislative Path and Budget Negotiations

The policy arrived after a legislative session ending April 25, 2025, during which the Indiana General Assembly passed a biennial $45 billion budget, according to the Indiana Catholic Conference. Lawmakers delayed implementation by one year to save costs following a projected $2.4 billion budget shortfall for the next three years.

John Elcesser, executive director of the Indiana Non-Public Education Association, described the negotiations as a difficult process complicated by state revenue forecasts.

We did it – we got it across the finish line. It took everybody, including principals and families who traveled to Indianapolis to testify in front of committees. This was truly a team effort, and now very soon all families in Indiana will have the ability to choose the school that they believe is the right fit for their child.

John Elcesser, Indiana Non-Public Education Association

Before this wider rollout, during the 2023 budget year, school choice eligibility was broadened by the Indiana General Assembly to cover 97 percent of families. The complete removal of the income cap in the current budget cycle ensures full statewide access without financial screening.

Classroom Funding and Teacher Compensation

Alongside school choice provisions, the state enacted a $5,000 increase to Indiana’s minimum teacher salary, raising it from $40,000 to $45,000, according to The Post and Mail. State regulations now mandate that schools spend at least 65% of their state tuition support on teacher compensation. Additionally, the new biennial budget includes a 2 percent increase in state tuition support across all K-12 education, according to the Indiana Catholic Conference.

New State Policies on Technology and Safety

Indiana schools are enforcing new mandates regarding personal technology and campus security under recent legislation. As documented by The Post and Mail, Senate Enrolled Act 78 enacts a bell-to-bell wireless device mandate that mandates public and charter schools implement either a storage protocol or a no-device system keeping personal electronics powered down and out of reach throughout the instructional day. The restriction covers cell phones, smartwatches, gaming devices and other personal wireless communication devices, with exceptions for documented medical needs, emergency use, and students with Individualized Education Programs or Section 504 plans.

To address security, Gov. Braun established Indiana’s first Office of School Safety. The office coordinates school security resources, strengthens emergency-response guidance, and trains school safety specialists.