STATEHOUSE (March 8, 2024) – Legislation authored by State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) to provide more scholarship opportunities to career professionals who want to transition into teaching is on its way to the governor's desk where it could soon be signed into law.
Heine said his legislation builds on a law he authored last year that created Transition to Teaching Scholarships, which provide a one-time, non-renewable, $10,000 scholarship to students enrolled in a transition-to-teaching certification program. As a result of Heine's legislation, the state awarded $1 million through 100 scholarships to professionals in other career paths who want to become educators. This session, Heine authored a bill to help extend this opportunity to more Hoosiers.
"Having such high demand for the Transition to Teaching Scholarships is incredible," Heine said. "It shows there are a number of Hoosiers who want to become educators but need financial help. Authoring this legislation to use existing resources to fund more scholarship opportunities for professionals making this switch was a no-brainer."
Under House Enrolled Act 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 both scholarship programs are geared toward fueling Indiana's teacher pipeline. Heine said applicants for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship whose household has an annual income of $100,000 or less would receive priority.
The Indiana Department of Education reported 1,670 teacher openings after the 2022-23 school year started.
To be eligible for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship, applicants pursuing a transition-to-teaching certification must have a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in Indiana for at least five years. While developing the Transition to Teaching Scholarships last year, Heine worked closely with East Allen County Schools Superintendent Marilyn Hissong in an effort to help schools fill much-needed teaching positions.
To follow this and other legislation considered for new laws by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom.2024-bill-watch.
-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.
