STATEHOUSE (Feb. 15, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently voted unanimously in support of State Rep. Dave Heine's (R-Fort Wayne) legislation that would help more Hoosiers become certified teachers.
According to Heine, House Bill 1528 would allow individuals enrolled in a transition-to-teaching certification program to apply for a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. The scholarship currently provides $7,500 per year for up to four years to students earning a teaching degree and who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years. Under Heine's legislation, Hoosiers enrolled in a transition-to-teaching certification program could apply for a one-time scholarship up to $10,000.
"Like other states, Indiana has a labor shortage in many professions, including teaching," Heine said. "Opening this scholarship funding to Hoosiers who are enrolled in transition-to-teaching certification programs would be a great way to boost our talent pipeline."
Scholarship applicants pursuing a transition-to-teaching certification would need to have a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in an Indiana school corporation for at least five years to be eligible for the scholarship.
Heine said the idea for this bill came from local school officials, including East Allen County Schools and Fort Wayne Community Schools. Representatives from the Indiana School Boards Association, the Indiana Urban Schools Association, and Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association also testified in support of the legislation.
House Bill 1528 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
-30-
State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 85,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
