Contact: Lindsey Ross, Senior Press Secretary
Lindsey.Ross@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498
STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2019) – A bill sponsored by State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) that would help address the teacher shortage and improve the teaching profession in Indiana recently passed the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development unanimously.
House Bill 1009 would establish the Teacher Residency Grant Pilot Program and Fund, which would be administered by the Commission for Higher Education (CHE).
HB 1009 would allow school corporations and charter schools to apply for grants to develop and implement teacher residency programs. Under the bill, school corporations would be required to establish partnerships with teacher preparation programs to receive funding as well as pay the teacher candidates who participate in the residency programs.
“Teaching, like many professions, requires hands-on learning to develop the necessary skills to succeed,” Raatz said. “This program would help reduce the teacher shortage in our state by getting teacher candidates into the classroom prior to graduation, giving them the foundation they need to grow and excel.”
HB 1009 would also require the CHE to submit annually a report on the pilot program as well as the retention and performance of program participants and those who take on leadership responsibilities within five years.
HB 1009 will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Raatz, click here.
