HB 1531

Bill Subjects

Education, Secretary Of Education, State Department And Boards Licenses And Licensing Schools, Teachers Student Assistance, Loans, And Grants

Abstract

Establishes a teacher recruitment and retention fund, administered by the department of education, to: (1) attract qualified teachers to geographic areas of Indiana where a critical shortage of teachers exists; and (2) retain qualified teachers in teacher shortage areas; by providing student loan repayment assistance. Provides that as a condition of participating in the program and receiving student loan repayments, a teacher must agree to employment as a licensed teacher in a school district located in a teacher shortage area for at least five years. Establishes the goal that by 2032 there will be at least one teacher who is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (national board) in every public school. Establishes the teachers' national board certification incentive fund for purposes of: (1) funding stipends of $200 per day for two days for teachers preparing for national board certification; (2) reimbursing 75% of the national board certification fee; (3) funding stipends for national board certified teachers who serve as mentors to other teachers; (4) reimbursing school corporations for the cost of paying teachers who have attained national board certification as of July 1, 2023, or thereafter an annual salary supplement of $2,000 for the life of the certificate; and (5) reimbursing school corporations for the cost of persons who serve as substitute teachers for national board certification candidates. Requires a school corporation to allow a teacher pursuing national board certification at least five days of paid release time during the school year.