Why does Indiana Learns exist?

Results of a study conducted by the National Center for Assessment in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) show that students experienced a moderate to significant academic impact in English/language arts and a significant impact in math following pandemic-related learning disruptions. After one year of intensive support, results show that learning is stabilizing or recovering for many students. However, proficiency rates for specific student populations, including Black, Hispanic, English learner students, low income students, and students with disabilities, remain significantly below both pre-pandemic levels as well as their grade-level peers. 

Passed in January 2022, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1251 outlined requirements forIDOE to establish and administer a microgrants program to support students in recovering from learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In summer 2022, the Indiana Department of Education partnered with The Mind Trust to manage implementation of this program, naming it Indiana Learns.

How does the program work?

Families have access to $1,000 per eligible student in grants that can be used to access qualifying services from an approved Learning Partner. When the full amount is used, additional grants of $1,000 each become available. Funds are provided to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. First, qualifying families enroll into the program by entering their STN and date of birth.

Then, families select a learning partner through the online Indiana Learns portal, and sign up for the Learning Partner’s scheduled sessions. After providing services, the Learning Partner invoices Indiana Learns for the amount of money expended. 

Funds are exchanged between the Learning Partner and Indiana Learns.