Indiana lawmakers moved forward on a bill that would teach students the importance of waiting until marriage before having children. The legislation also includes a provision requiring state colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative entrance exam.
The bill passed its first committee stage on Wednesday, emphasizing the so-called “success sequence.” This concept encourages students to complete at least a high school diploma or training, secure full-time employment, and wait until marriage before starting a family. Proponents say following these steps can help young people avoid poverty and improve long-term outcomes.
Senator Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), who authored the bill, said teaching these principles supports stability and success. “Children raised in stable, married-parent families are more likely to excel in school and generally have higher grade point averages than children who are not,” Byrne explained during committee discussion.
Democrats on the committee, including Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington), criticized the measure. Yoder expressed concern that teaching children to wait until marriage could stigmatize single-parent households, blended families, or those who are widowed or divorced. “Teaching it within the good citizenship instruction, I think, is fraught with shame,” she said.
Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) raised issues over a clause that removed social-emotional learning from teacher preparation requirements. Legislative staff clarified that this was a technical correction, but Qaddoura argued social-emotional skills are critical for workforce readiness, including conflict resolution and leadership.
The bill initially included controversial language requiring civics instruction to teach certain historic texts and prohibit lessons about systemic discrimination or social inequities. However, Byrne removed that section before the committee vote, responding to widespread opposition from educators.
Randy Hudgins, a teacher at Warren Central High School, expressed relief that the language was removed but cautioned against limiting historical instruction. “We need to be an example of a state focused on righting the wrongs of the past, not hiding them from our children,” he said.
The “success sequence” has gained attention among lawmakers since the early 2000s as a potential tool to reduce poverty. Supporters, including Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette), argue it empowers students to make decisions that can improve economic outcomes. Critics note that research is mixed on whether the sequence effectively predicts adult success.
The bill also requires Indiana colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT). The CLT, similar to the SAT or ACT, evaluates students in verbal reasoning, grammar, writing, and math. It differs by using classic texts from Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, and modern authors such as Toni Morrison and George Orwell.
Supporters of the CLT say it provides a “back to basics” evaluation and better reflects students’ critical thinking skills. Rachel Oren, head of the Classical Academy in Indianapolis, told the committee, “A one-size-fits-all testing mandate risks narrowing curriculum and unintentionally undermining the excellence it seeks to ensure.”
The test has been gaining traction among Republican-led states and private institutions, with over 300 schools nationwide accepting the CLT. Some lawmakers hope that expanding acceptance will offer more students the opportunity to demonstrate learning rooted in classical texts.
Families representing classical schools and homeschooling programs spoke in favor of the measure, arguing it encourages educational rigor and strengthens students’ knowledge foundation. Lawmakers will continue discussions on the bill in upcoming sessions, weighing both its educational and social implications for Indiana students.
