House Bill 1005 (State Superintendent of Public Instruction), authored by Rep. Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis), passed the Senate on Wednesday 29-19 and is now on its way to the Governor for his signature. This Chamber priority bill moves up the date for making the state superintendent an appointed position from 2025 to 2021, when it will become the secretary of education. Indiana’s change from an elected to an appointed K-12 schools chief began with legislation passed by the General Assembly last year. State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick’s announcement that she would not seek re-election cleared the way to move up the appointment date to 2021. Indiana now joins 38 other states that appoint their K-12 education chiefs. The Chamber has long advocated for an appointed state superintendent to ensure greater coordination and policy alignment between the Governor and the agencies charged with carrying out the state’s education priorities.

House Bill 1009 (Teacher Residency Grant Pilot Program), authored by Rep. Dale Devon (R-Granger), cleared the Senate this week 37-11 and is now headed to the Governor’s desk. This Chamber-supported measure establishes the teacher residency grant pilot program (and associated fund) to provide mentor teachers to new teachers for a one-year period with support from a college teacher preparation program. Teacher residency programs aim to smooth new teachers’ transition to the classroom and help improve teacher retention rates. Given that teacher quality has been shown to be the most significant contributing factor to student achievement, the Chamber applauds efforts, like teacher residency programs, that promise to better support new teachers and keep effective teachers in the classroom longer.

Resource: Jason Bearce at (317) 264-6880 or email: jbearce@indianachamber.com