A bill moving forward in the Indiana Senate would let public schools hire part time “adjunct” teachers without any teaching training.
Bill author Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) said it could help address an ongoing teacher shortage, but critics say it will lower education quality.
Senate Bill 356 would allow school corporations to fill classes with part-time teachers from the community. They're likened to part-time college professors who are invited to teach based on expertise.
The current legislation would exclude the adjunct teachers from collective bargaining agreements, a measure the Indiana State Teachers Association calls a “union busting” effort.
“Nobody’s denying, we have a teacher shortage problem,” said Gail Zeheralis, ISTA public policy and political affairs specialist during a Senate committee. “But this is wrong-headed and I can’t be any clearer.”
A bill with similar language – House Bill 1251 – passed through the Indiana House on Monday afternoon.
Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.