I move that House Bill 1128 be amended to read as follows:
Page 1, between the enacting clause and line 1, begin a new
paragraph and insert:
"SECTION 1.
IC 20-8.1-3-17
IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1999]: Sec. 17. (a) Subject to the
specific exceptions under this chapter, each individual shall attend
either a public school which the individual is entitled to attend under
IC 20-8.1-6.1
or some other school which is taught in the English
language.
(b) An individual is bound by the requirements of this chapter
from the earlier of the date on which the individual officially enrolls
in a school or, except as provided in subsection (h), the beginning of
the fall school term for the school year in which the individual
becomes seven (7) years of age until the date on which the individual:
(1) graduates;
(2) reaches at least sixteen (16) years of age but who is less than
eighteen (18) years of age and the requirements under
subsection (j) concerning an exit interview are met enabling the
individual to withdraw from school before graduation; or
(3) reaches at least eighteen (18) years of age;
whichever occurs first.
(c) An individual who:
(1) enrolls in school before the fall school term for the school
year in which the individual becomes seven (7) years of age;
and
(2) is withdrawn from school before the school year described
in subdivision (1) occurs;
is not subject to the requirements of this chapter until the individual is
reenrolled as required in subsection (b). Nothing in this section shall
be construed to require that a child complete grade 1 before the child
reaches eight (8) years of age.
(d) An individual for whom education is compulsory under this
section shall attend school each year:
(1) for the number of days public schools are in session in the
school corporation in which the individual is enrolled in
Indiana; or
(2) if the individual is enrolled outside Indiana, for the number
of days the public schools are in session where the individual is
enrolled.
(e) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) through (d),
an individual must be at least five (5) years of age on:
(1) July 1 of the 1991-92 school year; or
(2) June 1 of the 1992-93 school year; or
(1) July 1 of the 2000-2001 school year;
(2) August 1 of the 2001-2002 school year; or
(3) September 1 of the 2002-2003 school year or any
subsequent school year;
to officially enroll in a kindergarten program offered by a school
corporation. However, subject to subsection (g), the governing body
of the school corporation shall may adopt a procedure affording a
parent of an individual who does not meet the minimum age
requirement set forth in this subsection the right to appeal to the
superintendent of the school corporation for enrollment of the
individual in kindergarten at an age earlier than the age that is set forth
in this subsection.
(f) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) through (e),
and subject to subsection (g), if an individual enrolls in school as
permitted under subsection (b) and has not attended kindergarten, the
superintendent of the school corporation shall make a determination
as to whether the individual shall enroll in kindergarten or grade 1
based on the particular model assessment adopted by the governing
body under subsection (g).
(g) To assist the principal and governing bodies, the department
shall do the following:
(1) Establish guidelines to assist each governing body in
establishing a procedure for making appeals to the
superintendent of the school corporation under subsection (e).
(2) Establish criteria by which a governing body may adopt a
model assessment which will be utilized in making the
determination under subsection (f).
(h) If the parents of an individual who would otherwise be subject
to compulsory school attendance under subsection (b), upon request
of the superintendent of the school corporation, certify to the
superintendent of the school corporation that the parents intend to:
(1) enroll the individual in a nonaccredited, nonpublic school;
or
(2) begin providing the individual with instruction equivalent to
that given in the public schools as permitted under
IC 20-8.1-3-34; section 34 of this chapter;