Indiana Constitution ARTICLE 8.
Indiana Constitution – Article 8: Education
This article establishes the framework for public education in Indiana. Below is a section-by-section summary of Article 8 – Education:
Section 1 – Common School System
The Indiana General Assembly is required to provide a general and uniform system of common schools.
The goal is to ensure that education is free and open to all and is maintained by taxation.
Section 2 – School Fund
The Common School Fund is a perpetual fund that must remain undiminished.
It includes:
Proceeds from land grants by the United States for school purposes,
Escheated estates (property of those who die without heirs),
Fines and forfeitures,
Other designated sources.
Section 3 – Investment of the School Fund
The fund is to be invested by the State in a safe and productive manner.
The interest generated is used for school purposes.
Section 4 – Distribution of Interest
The interest from the Common School Fund must be distributed annually to counties in proportion to the number of school-age children.
Section 5 – Use of Fund
The principal of the Common School Fund cannot be diminished, and it must only be used for educational purposes.
Section 6 – Counties' Responsibility
Counties must support schools through local taxes, adding to the Common School Fund resources.
Section 7 – Township Trustees
Township trustees are responsible for managing school funds and property at the local level.
Section 8 – Literary Fund
The General Assembly may create a Literary Fund to promote educational objectives beyond basic schooling.
Section 9 – Support for Religious Institutions
No public funds may be used to support any religious or theological institution.
Section 10 – Education Encouragement
The General Assembly is encouraged to promote moral, intellectual, scientific, and agricultural education.
Summary:
Indiana Constitution Article 8 guarantees a uniform, free public education system.
It creates strict protections for education funding.
It prohibits public funding of religious institutions.
Local and state governments are both responsible for ensuring education is adequately supported.
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