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Raatz: Bill to streamline required teacher trainings passes Senate

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2019) – A bill authored by State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) that would streamline the trainings required of Indiana teachers today passed the Senate unanimously.

Senate Bill 508 would require current teacher trainings on bullying prevention, gang activity, child abuse and neglect, suicide awareness and prevention, and human trafficking identification to be moved to a five-year cycle, with teachers completing one each year.

“Right now, teacher trainings are far from streamlined in our state, especially when it comes to required hours and when they must be completed,” Raatz said. “Each of these trainings are equally important, and this bill would organize when and how the trainings must be completed to ensure teachers are effectively trained in each area without overwhelming them with trainings every single year.”

SB 508 would require each training to count toward teachers’ professional development. These trainings would also be incorporated into each school’s safety plan, which would be audited by the Department of Education. The bill would also require the Interim Study Committee on Education to review the training requirements for teachers mandated by the state in 2019 and once every five years thereafter.

SB 508 will now move to the House of Representatives.

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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Raatz, click here.