Controversial bills aligned with national political battles on cultural and social issues in schools dominated conversations at the Statehouse this session. But lawmakers also conducted plenty of other legislative business that didn't get as much attention -- including several notable changes for education.

A measure to remove a legal defense for Indiana schools and public libraries accused of sharing harmful material failed during this year's legislative session. The Senate voted down the proposal as its final move before adjournment.

Indiana saw an explosive number of COVID-19 cases reported in schools as many kicked off the new academic year without requiring masks. But since a peak around Labor Day, Hoosier schools have reported fewer new cases each week.

Indiana, like many states in the U.S., is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of children in hospitals due to COVID-19. One in 38 kids with a positive COVID-19 test are hospitalized in Indiana.

Communities across the state are weighing what COVID-19 health and safety measures to continue this summer and into the fall, as the governor's mask requirement for schools expires at the end of June.

Nearly $2.6 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds is headed to Indiana schools. In rural districts where income from property taxes is low, some of that money will pay for long-delayed building maintenance.

This is the first time the state process for deciding between two charter schools that want the same building will be put to the test, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

The study looked at county COVID-19 cases, population, and then the percentage of kids attending school in-person or remotely in each county.

Indiana lawmakers are fine-tuning a state law that forces school districts to offer vacated buildings to charter school organizations, despite an ongoing court challenge from schools.

Marion County's 11 public school districts will open full-time for in class instruction on their previous scheduled start dates for the 2020-21 academic year.