STATEHOUSE (Jan. 11, 2024) – The House Education Committee on Wednesday unanimously advanced State Rep. Dave Heine's (R-Fort Wayne) legislation supporting Hoosiers who want to make a career switch and go into teaching.
In 2023, Heine authored a law to create Transition to Teaching Scholarships, which provide a one-time, non-renewable, $10,000 scholarship to students enrolled in a transition-to-teaching certification program. Heine said the new scholarship helps college graduates who are professionals in other fields earn teaching licenses. This session, the Fort Wayne lawmaker authored legislation to help more students qualify for these scholarships.
"Like many states, Indiana's demand for high-quality and talented educators continues to grow," Heine said. "That's why it was incredible to see the overwhelming response from Hoosiers who applied for the new Transition to Teaching Scholarships. Indiana awarded all 100 scholarships totaling $1 million. This session, I'm offering legislation to utilize existing resources to supplement this scholarship fund, which will ultimately help more career professionals pursue teaching licenses."
Heine said he identified an opportunity to utilize existing and unused funding that's currently dedicated to awarding Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarships. This program awards $10,000 per year for up to four academic years to students who pursue a teaching degree and agree to teach in Indiana for at least five years. Heine said the popularity of this scholarship continues to grow and the program recently received a funding boost, but the number of enrollees hasn't caught up yet, causing some funding to go unutilized.
Under Heine's House Bill 1042, the remaining balance in the state's Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship fund, after all scholarships are awarded, could be used to provide Transition to Teaching Scholarships. Heine said the simple change is a "no-brainer" as both scholarship programs share the same goal of increasing Indiana's pipeline of talented educators.
The Indiana Department of Education reported 1,670 teacher openings after the 2022-23 school year had begun.
To be eligible for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship, applicants pursuing a transition-to-teaching certification need to have a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in Indiana for at least five years. Heine said he worked closely last year with East Allen County Schools Superintendent Marilyn Hissong to craft the legislation, and help schools fill much-needed teaching positions.
House Bill 1042 now moves to the full House for further consideration. For more information, visit iga.in.gov. To learn more about scholarships offered to future Hoosier educators, visit in.gov/che.
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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.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) (left) joins State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) (right) Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse. Heine authored legislation supporting Hoosiers who want to make a career switch and go into teaching.
