Indiana State Board of Education unanimously rejected a proposal from the Indiana Career Council in early November, which would have limited arts education for Indiana students.

The proposal was intended to provide high school graduation requirements for all students beginning with the class of 2022. It would have increased the amount of mathematics courses required, financial literacy and others. However, the proposed requirements would have limited school flexibility and removed the arts, allowing for wavers from arts courses for any honors students.

The Republican-appointed panel, led by Democrat lenda Ritz - the elected state superintendent of public instruction - cited concerns that the proposal had negative impacts on teacher evaluation, arts education and the ability of high school students to be able to declare a clear career trajectory.

Many arts education and parents groups, as well as the state principals association took to social media and their neighborhoods to advocate for the rejection of this bill.