Moed bill incentivizing best & brightest to teach in Indiana awaits governor’s final approval

INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation coauthored by State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) that will ensure that Indiana retains the best and brightest educators for Indiana classrooms was approved today and moves to the governor’s desk for final approval.

House Bill 1002 creates the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship Program and Fund, a program that will award annual scholarships of $7,500 to top students who plan to teach in the state of Indiana. The scholarship will be available for qualified students who graduate in the top of their high school class.

Following the completion of their degree, the individual will be required to teach a minimum of five consecutive years in a public school or accredited non-public school.

“The goal of House Bill 1002 is to attract and retain the best and brightest students in the field of education so that they can become educators in Indiana classrooms,” said Moed. “This is a timely effort as we are faced with the reality that fewer and fewer students are entering the field of education.

“What we want to do is lift up the profession of teaching and attract the best and brightest students to lead our classrooms and the next generation,” continued Moed. “House Bill 1002 will offer scholarships to students who excel in high school, continue to excel in college and commit to teach in an Indiana school for five years.”

This effort is building off legislation that Moed authored and the governor signed to offer loan forgiveness for teachers who work in the STEM field. He is pleased that the General Assembly is building off of this work to establish a broader and more robust program.

“A big part of the teacher shortage is coming from how we treat the profession. We need to ensure that we are giving the field the respect it deserves,” said Moed. “I believe this is a step in the right direction in demonstrating Indiana’s commitment to teaching and our determination to retain the very best educators.”