Indiana State Teachers Association

First Public Teacher Pay Commission Meeting Highlights Educators' Concerns

By Carter Barrett • Aug 20, 2019

The Next Level Teacher Compensation Commission met publicly for the first time Monday night. In January, Gov. Eric Holcomb tasked the commission with finding innovative ways to raise teacher salaries. 

Former IPS Teachers Union President Pleads Guilty, Faces Up To 20 Years For Embezzlement

By Eric Weddle • Jul 22, 2019
Rhondalyn Cornett was president of the Indianapolis Education Association for five years until November 2018.

The former president of the teachers union representing Indianapolis Public Schools pleaded guilty Monday in federal court for embezzlement of more than $100,000 from the labor group.

Rhondalyn Cornett, 54, now faces up to 20 years in prison, fines and more, according to a release from the U.S. Justice Department. 

Teachers Press Lawmakers To Change New Licensing Requirements: 'They Need To Fix This'

By Jeanie Lindsay • May 15, 2019
Teachers pushed for better pay and more respect for their profession during the legislative session. (Chelsea Wardrop/WTIU)

Thousands of teachers are starting the process of renewing their teaching licenses before a new law goes into effect that requires educators to learn more about workforce and career-related needs for their students and communities.

Teacher Firearm Training Bill Likely Dead, According To Its Author

By Carter Barrett • Apr 25, 2019
In the Senate, the bill was amended to include a mandated personality test and require staff consent for active shooter training with projectiles.

On the final day of the legislative session, a bill that would have funded specialized teacher firearm training is likely dead, according to its author.

The sticking point for lawmakers: an amendment that makes the training a requirement for school districts that chose to arm teachers.  

When originally written, the bill provided state funding for the optional 39.5-hour teacher firearm training. A handful of Indiana school districts already have chosen give staff access to firearms and provide training, such as Jay County Schools. 

Indiana's School Funding Is Billions Behind With Teachers Across The State 'Restless' For Action

By Jeanie Lindsay • Apr 8, 2019
Teachers have rallied and lobbied lawmakers at the statehouse throughout the 2019 session for better pay (Chelsea Wardrop/WTIU)

Indiana’s teacher salaries have been the slowest growing in the country according to a national think tank, and the state’s teachers union says it will take billions of dollars to make up for years of inadequate funding.

Lawmakers Move To Prohibit Projectiles During School Safety Trainings

By Carter Barrett • Apr 3, 2019
House Bill 1004 primarily focuses on grant funding for mental health resources and school hardening.

State lawmakers voted to stop the kind of active shooter training that injured several Indiana elementary school teachers this year. The amendment to House Bill 1004 – a wide-ranging school safety funding bill – prohibits the use of projectiles during school training or drills. 

'Red For Ed': Hundreds Of Teachers Rally For Better Pay, School Funding

By Emma Atkinson • Mar 9, 2019
Attendees gathered on all three of the main floors of the statehouse to make their voices and concerns heard. (Jeanie Lindsay/IPB News)

Hundreds of teachers and supporters of public education rallied at the statehouse Saturday to call for better pay and school funding, because many say the state isn’t doing enough.

Lawmakers: We Need More Data To Address Teacher Pay

By Jeanie Lindsay • Feb 11, 2019
The Indiana State Teachers Association has called on members to rally at the statehouse March 9. (Jeanie Lindsay/IPB News)

Teacher groups and policymakers want more people to see teaching as a serious profession, and say increasing pay is part of the equation. And while lawmakers are working to address a host of teacher-focused issues, they also say a number of unknowns remain.

ISTA: Teacher Pay, School Safety Among Top Legislative Priorities

By Carter Barrett • Dec 10, 2018
ISTA President Teresa Meredith presented the group's 2019 legislative priorities. (Carter Barrett/WFYI)

The Indiana State Teacher Association announced teacher compensation is one of its top legislative priorities.

Holcomb On Teacher Raises: Framework First, Funding Second

By Jeanie Lindsay • Dec 7, 2018
Teacher pay has been on the minds of many educators and policy makers this year, in Indiana and nationwide. (Zach Herndon/WTIU)

Teacher pay is a key part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda for 2019, but he says significant raises might not happen for another two years.

Gov. Holcomb’s education plans for 2019 align with what state leaders have already said: Indiana’s budget session will be tight. So when it comes to getting more money in the hands of educators, he says actual raises might have to wait for the 2021 budget.

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