INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A national study ranks Indiana among the lowest states for teacher recruitment and retention, with many Indiana teachers worried about the impact of standardized testing.
The report from the nonprofit Learning Policy Institute says Indiana teachers earn starting salaries lower than the national average but face among the largest class sizes.
The Indianapolis Star reports that Indiana scored a 2.17 out of a possible 5 points of educator data, including work conditions and teacher compensation. Only Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Washington, D.C., received lower scores.
Proposed solutions to fill classrooms with educators failed in the past legislative session.
Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, the Republican candidate for this year’s gubernatorial race, says Indiana should offer high-performing teachers incentives to stay in the classroom.